identity

Meaning: Identity is the part of the self-concept that answers "who am I?" Personal identity comes from individual traits, abilities and history. Social identity comes from membership in groups such as gender, race, religion, class or occupation. In social identity theory (Tajfel), people draw part of their self-concept and self-esteem from group membership, which tends to promote in-group favoritism over out-groups. Identity is shaped by socialization through family, peers, media and institutions, and its parts vary in importance with context. In Erikson's theory, adolescence centers on identity versus role confusion.

On the MCAT: Passages describe a group or setting and ask which identity is most salient, how group membership leads to in-group favoritism, or how overlapping identities (intersectionality) shape a person's experience. Erikson's adolescent stage is another common link.

Common confusion: Identity is not self-esteem or self-efficacy. Self-concept is the full set of beliefs about oneself, identity is the part defined by personal traits and group memberships, self-esteem is the overall evaluation of oneself, and self-efficacy is the belief in one's ability to succeed at a specific task.