Personal Narrative: The Identity Theory

One of the most uncertain things that all humans face is their real identity. This difficulty has caused a lot of confusion on who we really are and how we become our own person. There are many different theories to how people can identify themselves, but one of the leading notions is the Identity Theory. This theory claims that people become who they are based on experiences and life lessons. They believe that one’s own experiences will cause them to shape how they will identify themselves. Following that theory, it is reasonable to assume that all experiences whether positive or negative will have a direct impact on your identity. However, some psychologists believe that negative memories or experiences will cause a much significant change
I was born in the suburbs of the Bronx and raised in the Brooklyn, New York. At a young age, I never understood the amount of hard work my parents had gone through to raise me and give me a great life I have today. They emigrated from South Korea to this country in hopes of the American dream. They had their definition of the American dream as working hard to become successful. They were strong believers in that hard work would result in great results and rewards. My parents took huge sacrifices in order to make it to this great nation. They had left their families, their jobs, and their culture to start a new life. My father went from being a chemical engineer to making a small living as a delivery man for a clothing company while my mother worked as nurse in a small clinic in downtown Brooklyn. We didn’t live in the best of neighborhoods, but it was sufficient enough to provide shelter and food. It took a lot of pain and long hours for my parents to provide for me and they have taught me the most crucial life lessons. They told me that the most important lesson is life is to always put other people before you. They explained how if you are always there to help others and be there for another person, they will return the favor to you. This helped shaped my identity as to be a caring person who is always willing to help out those in need. Throughout the rest of my life, I would encounter this life lessons
Whether their memories are positive or negative, they will all take an impact on how you will become as a person. It has been stated in the Identity Theory and I believe that the theory is correct based on my own personal life. I had a difficult childhood growing up, but those experiences have taught me to be the person I am. My bullying has caused a large injury to my childhood, but learning my lessons on how to fight back and be an advocate changed the person I become. I am an avid fighter for justice and doing the right thing. Thus, I believe it is completely reasonable to change your identity based on the experiences you have and will experience in your