Psychology of Actions: Understanding Identity
The Role of System 1 in shaping who we are
This article builds on foundational ideas based on System 1 and System 2 Thinking. You can check those articles here:
Now, let's dive in.
Introduction
"What kind of a person are you?" What would be your response if someone asked you this question?
Perhaps you might quickly respond, "Well, I'm an introvert," or maybe you say, "I'm always the perfectionist."
You may not put much thought into these responses. But what if you asked yourself the following question? "At what point did I start identifying with these specific traits?" Traits like introvert, extrovert, perfectionist, or simply a complete mess (I hope no one identifies with this :))
The next question you should logically ask is, "Did I consciously choose to identify with these traits?" or "Did the choice form on its own, over time, by patterns you no longer recognize?"
While we may like to believe that Identity is something we cultivate consciously over time, it's not. Much of what we identify as "Who we are" is not consciously chosen by us. It operates in the background, being shaped, reshaped, or reinforced by our habits, biases, and unconscious beliefs. Understanding this background mechanism can help us to become aware of how our identity forms. It can eventually guide us in reshaping it.
What is Identity?
At its core, our Identity is the combination of personality traits, beliefs, characteristics, social relations, roles, and social group memberships that define who one is1. Our Identity can be related to past experiences, such as what used to be true- "I was a great student in school" or "I was great at football in college." The Identity can be related to the present, as in what is true now- "I am a college professor" or "I am a writer." Our Identity can also be related to the future, as in the person we want to become (an author), we expect to become (a successful professional), we feel obligated to try to become (a good husband/wife or father), or we fear we might become (no examples for this, let's not let your imagination run wild :))
According to the Self-Categorization Theory2, Identity can be broadly divided into two categories: Personal Identity—how one defines oneself based on individual traits and characteristics—and Social Identity—how one categorizes oneself as part of the social group.
1. Personal Identity
Personal Identity is our self-concept that is independent of others. It includes traits, values, beliefs, and personal preferences. It defines who we are as individuals. Personal Identity is how you see yourself, distinct from how society or social groups see you.
Sub-Categories of Personal Identity:
Core Identity: The fundamental traits, values, and beliefs that form the essence of who a person is.
Examples: Compassionate, honest, resilient.
Personal Role Identity: The roles one plays in the personal life that contribute to self-concept.
Examples: Parent, sibling, friend.
Professional Role Identity: How one perceives oneself in the context of one's career or occupation.
Examples: Being a doctor, artist, entrepreneur, or engineer.
Self-Concept: The overall perception and evaluation of oneself.
Components: Self-image (how one sees oneself), self-esteem (one’s perceived self-worth), and the ideal self (who one aspires to be).
Moral Identity: How one’s self-concept is influenced by moral values and ethical standards.
Examples: Being honest, just, or fair.
Autobiographical Identity: The personal narrative one constructs about one's life experiences.
Examples: “I’m a survivor,” “I’ve always been a rebel.”
Aspirational Identity: Who one hopes to become in the future, based on goals and aspirations.
Examples: “I want to be a successful entrepreneur,” “I aspire to be a writer.”
Relational Identity: How one sees oneself in relation to significant others.
Examples: Being a supportive partner, a caring friend, or a dutiful child.
Personality Traits: Specific characteristics that define an individual's behavior and emotional patterns.
Examples: Introverted, analytical, empathetic.
Psychological Identity: Aspects of identity that are related to mental and emotional states.
Examples: Seeing oneself as anxious, confident, or resilient.
2. Social Identity
Social Identity is how one identifies with social groups. It also relates to the roles one occupies. It comprises the social groups, ethnicities, cultures, and genders that influence your interactions and social persona.
Sub-Categories of Social Identity:
Cultural Identity: The identity formed based on cultural group membership, including shared customs, traditions, and values.
Examples: Ethnic background, language, religious practices.
Social Role Identity: Identities tied to specific societal roles one occupies.
Examples: Teacher, manager, community leader.
Group Membership: How one identifies with specific social groups based on characteristics like ethnicity, nationality, or religion.
Examples: Being part of a political party, a sports team, or a religious community.
Collective Identity: Identity derived from being part of a collective group with shared values or goals.
Examples: Environmental activists, social movements, and fandom communities.
Political Identity: The identity formed based on political beliefs, affiliations, and attitudes toward governance and policies.
Examples: Liberal, conservative, socialist, libertarian.
Religious or Spiritual Identity: Identity based on beliefs, practices, and affiliation with a particular religion or spiritual tradition.
Examples: Christian, Hindu, Muslim, Buddhist, atheist.
National and Ethnic Identity: The identity associated with belonging to a particular nation, ethnic group, or heritage.
Examples: Chinese, Indian, American, French, Hispanic.
Gender Identity: A person’s internal sense of their gender, which may or may not align with the sex assigned at birth.
Examples: Male, female, non-binary, transgender.
Sexual Identity: How one identifies in terms of sexual orientation and preferences.
Examples: Heterosexual, homosexual, bisexual, asexual, pansexual.
Digital Identity: The identity one creates online through social media, websites, and digital interactions.
Examples: Social media personas, online gamer profiles, and professional digital profiles.
This is a broad categorization I have come up with to make sense of Personal and Social Identity.
The Interplay Between Personal and Social Identity
Now that we've categorized Identity into Personal and Social, let's look at how these two interact. It's pretty easy to perceive them as separate, but they’re more like Argentine Tango or Cuban Salsa dance partners. They constantly move together, influencing how the other moves.
Imagine this scenario: you identify as a “Caring Person” (Personal Identity). You evidently carry this trait into social settings—at work, in your friend circle, and even with strangers. Over time, people start seeing you as the “helpful colleague” or the “go-to friend” for advice (Social Identity). Their reactions and expectations reinforce your "Caring Person" Identity, making you even more caring because you see yourself through their eyes. It’s like a positive feedback loop, or what I like to call the “Identity Dance.”
But it doesn’t always play out positively. Suppose you identify as “not good enough” because of past failures (Personal Identity). You may unintentionally seek out or even create situations where you’re undervalued or ignored, reinforcing that negative self-view through the reactions of others (Social Identity). This loop can keep you stuck in a rut unless you become aware of it and consciously break the pattern.
The Unconscious Nature of Identity Formation
Now, here’s the thing: most of this Argentine Tango or Cuban Salsa dance between our Personal and Social identities happens without us even realizing it. Most of who we think we are is shaped by factors we don’t control consciously. It’s like having an invisible background algorithm that tells us how to act, think, and even feel.
Think about it: did you ever sit down and decide, “Today, I’m going to become a perfectionist?” Probably not. More likely, a series of experiences, perhaps praise for being meticulous or criticism for missing details, led you down that path. Your mind picked up on these patterns, connected the dots, and voilà—“I’m a perfectionist” became part of your identity.
This automatic process is driven by what psychologists call “System 1 thinking.”3 It’s our brain’s fast, intuitive mode of thinking, which operates below our conscious awareness. It helps us make quick decisions but also has a downside—it can cement unhelpful identities without us realizing it.
Identity Triggers and Feedback Loops
Here’s where it gets interesting: once an identity forms, our mind gradually places it under System 1. This System 1 mode runs on autopilot and gets activated by triggers. The triggers are specific situations, people, or even thoughts that “switch on” a particular Identity.
For instance, your identity as a “leader” might get triggered if you are at your workplace. You will find yourself naturally taking charge of the meetings. You will readily offer relevant solutions and guide your team. This behavior would earn you praise and respect. This, in turn, will feed back into your identity, reinforcing your self-concept as a leader.
But triggers are a double-edged sword. They can work against us too. Imagine you’ve internalized the identity of being “anxious in social situations.” Every time you walk into a party or a crowded room, this identity will kick in, and you will start feeling nervous. The more you avoid or struggle through these situations, the more your identity as an “anxious person” will be reinforced. It’s a vicious cycle.
Identity and System 1
So, what role does System 1 play in all of this? Think of it as the backstage crew that ensures the show runs smoothly. System 1 processes everything behind the scenes—quickly, effortlessly, and without you even knowing. It’s why you can instantly feel a surge in your pride when someone compliments your “genius” or a pang of guilt when you think you’ve let someone down.
System 1 makes sure your identities are always ready to take the stage. The problem is, System 1 doesn’t question whether these identities are serving you well. If you’ve labeled yourself as “not good at public speaking,” System 1 will make sure you get the sweats, hesitations, stammer, and want to bolt every time you step on stage. It's doing its job—keeping your identity intact—even if that identity isn’t helpful.
Why Understanding System 1’s Role in Identity Matters
So, why should you care about all this stuff about System 1 and Identity? Because it’s the key to breaking free from limiting identities. If you recognize that System 1 processing is unequivocally not helping, you can engage your System 2—your slow, deliberate, analytical thinking—and start rewriting it. Awareness is the first step in taking control.
For instance, if you catch yourself thinking, “I’m just not creative,” stop and ask, “Who told me that? When did I start believing it?” This pause will give you a chance to question the identity taking root and decide if it’s one you want to keep.
Once you’re aware of System 1’s role, you can engage System 2. It's where real change will happen. Instead of reacting automatically, you will start choosing your responses. You will challenge the script, edit it, and sometimes even throw it out altogether.
What’s Next?
In the following articles of the Psychology of Actions series, I will apply the FoRC Framework to explore how Identity forms and reinforces. I'll also explore how we can reshape our Identity through the Laws of Identity Change.
Wrapping It Up
Understanding your identity isn’t just about slapping a few labels on yourself and calling it a day. It’s about peeling back the layers, questioning the stories you’ve been telling yourself, and deciding which ones are still serving you. Your identity is more fluid than you think. It’s not set in stone, but it will be unless you take the chisel (deliberately engage System 2) into your own hands.
So, next time you catch yourself saying, “I’m just not the type of person who…,” take a moment. Ask yourself, “Who decided that?” Because the pen that writes your identity story has always been in your hand.
That’s all for this week. If you like this article, please share it. And, if you have not subscribed yet, please do and join me on this fascinating journey of intentional change.
Stay genuine! Stay authentic!
Nik Pathran
PS: I appreciate you reading. Thanks to the new subscribers! ✌
“Self, Self-Concept, and Identity.” In Handbook of Self and Identity, 2nd Ed., Edited by Mark R. Leary and June Price Tangney, 69-104. The Guilford Press, 2012.
“Self-Categorization Theory.” In Handbook of Theories of Social Psychology, Volume 2, Edited by Paul A. M. Van Lange, Arie W. Kruglanski, and E. Tory Higgins, 399-417. SAGE Publications, 2012
Thinking, Fast and Slow, by Daniel Kahneman, explains System 1 as the automatic, intuitive system that governs much of our everyday thinking. This forms the foundation for understanding its role in shaping identity.