What is the difference between identity and status?

The key difference between identity and status, as defined in the provided reference, is that status is extrinsic, changeable, and based on relative position, while identity is intrinsic, inherent, and non-changeable.

Let's break down these concepts based on the reference:

Understanding Status

According to the reference, status is extrinsic. This means it is external to a person, determined by their position relative to others within a group or society.

Key characteristics of status:

• Extrinsic: It comes from outside the individual, often based on social or positional factors.
• By Virtue of Relative Position: Your status is defined by how you compare to others in a specific context (e.g., higher or lower in a hierarchy).
• Changeable: Status can change over time due to various factors like achievements, loss of wealth, or shifts in social structures.

Application Example:

The reference provides this example: "Due to her family's high social status, she hardly mingles with the rest of her school mates." This shows how status, derived from an external factor (family position), influences behavior and interactions and is relative within the school context.

Understanding Identity

In contrast, the reference describes identity as intrinsic. It is an internal and inherent aspect of a person.

Key characteristics of identity:

• Intrinsic: It is inherent and comes from within the individual.
• Non-Changeable: The core aspects of one's identity are considered fixed or permanent according to this definition.

Core Differences Summarized

The fundamental distinction lies in origin (external vs. internal) and permanence (changeable vs. non-changeable).

Here is a quick comparison:

In essence, status is about your position in the world relative to others and is subject to change, while identity is about your fundamental, inherent self, which is considered fixed.