How is our social identity largely determined?

Our social identity is significantly shaped by external relationships, which encompass the various social interactions, affiliations, and connections we have with others throughout our lives. These relationships play a crucial role in how we perceive ourselves and how we are perceived by society. For instance, family, friends, colleagues, and community groups all influence our social identity by contributing to our sense of belonging and our definitions of social categories such as race, gender, class, and ethnicity. Through these interactions, we adopt certain characteristics and norms that are prevalent in the groups we associate with, which helps to define who we are in a social context.

While education, societal expectations, and personal achievements all contribute to shaping one's identity, they do so primarily within the framework created by interpersonal relationships. Education often reflects the values and norms of the society we are part of, while societal expectations derive from collective norms influenced by interactions among individuals. Personal achievements may enhance an individual's social standing, but they are often recognized and validated through the context of social relationships. Thus, external relationships are foundational to the construction of our social identity.