What is a hybrid identity?

an identity that mixes elements of two or more cultures. It combines cultures into something new.

What is cultural defence?

protecting and strengthening one's own culture against outside influence. A group pushes back against change.

What does homogenisation mean?

cultures becoming more alike. The same brands and media appear everywhere.

What do postmodernists say about identity?

it is chosen, not given. People "pick and mix" who they are.

Which is the strongest criticism of the "pick and mix" view of identity?

choices are limited by income, discrimination and social expectations. Not everyone is equally free to choose.

Globalisation, postmodernism and identity · Cambridge IGCSE Sociology

In plain words

A teenager in Lagos, one in Seoul and one in Lima can wear the same trainers, hear the same songs and follow the same stars. Does that mean that the world is becoming one culture? Or are people mixing and matching to make something new?

9 things to know

Globalisation is the process by which societies around the world become more connected, through trade, travel, migration, media and the internet.
The homogenisation of identities: cultures become more alike as the same brands, films, music and food spread everywhere. Critics fear that local cultures and languages are being lost.
Cultural defence: a group responds to outside influence by protecting and strengthening its own culture, for example its language, religion or traditions.
Hybrid identities: people mix parts of two or more cultures into a new identity, in their food, music, dress and language.
Cultural diversity is the presence of many cultures in one society. Multiculturalism is the idea that different cultures should live side by side with equal respect. A global culture is a culture shared around the world.
Positive impacts: more choice, tolerance and understanding, and a richer mix of food, music and ideas. Negative impacts: tension between groups, a feeling that one's identity is under threat, and the loss of traditions.
Postmodernists argue that identity is now chosen and not given. Class, gender and ethnicity no longer fix who a person is.
In a "pick and mix" society, people build an identity from what they buy and how they live, which is called their consumption patterns and lifestyle, and from their digital identities.
Criticism of postmodernism: choice costs money. Poverty, discrimination and gender expectations still limit who people can be.

Worked example

A girl born in London to Indian parents speaks English and Punjabi, listens to music that mixes both traditions, and wears either style of dress. Name the concept and explain it.

She combines elements of two cultures into one identity.
This is a hybrid identity.
It is a result of migration and globalisation, which bring cultures into contact.
It is not homogenisation, because something new has been made and neither culture has been erased.

Tips and tricks

Homogenisation: cultures become the same. Hybrid: cultures mix into something new. Cultural defence: a culture pushes back. Three different responses to globalisation.
To evaluate postmodernism, ask who can afford to "pick and mix". Identity built on shopping needs money.

5 questions, about 2 minutes.

It lands in your notebook with its questions as flashcards.

Globalisation, postmodernism and identity: 5 questions and answers

These are the quiz’s questions. Do the quiz first, then come back here for the ones that got you.

What is a hybrid identity?
- an identity that mixes elements of two or more cultures (the answer)
- an identity based only on class
- an identity given at birth
- an identity that never changes
It combines cultures into something new.
What is cultural defence?
- protecting and strengthening one's own culture against outside influence (the answer)
- adopting a global culture
- moving to another country
- rejecting all traditions
A group pushes back against change.
What does homogenisation mean?
- cultures becoming more different
- cultures disappearing overnight
- cultures refusing to mix
- cultures becoming more alike (the answer)
The same brands and media appear everywhere.
What do postmodernists say about identity?
- it is fixed by social class
- it is chosen, not given (the answer)
- it is decided by the government
- it is the same for everyone
People "pick and mix" who they are.
Which is the strongest criticism of the "pick and mix" view of identity?Stretch
- people do not buy things
- there are no brands in poor countries
- identity is entirely genetic
- choices are limited by income, discrimination and social expectations (the answer)
Not everyone is equally free to choose.

5 questions

Tap an answer and you’ll see straight away whether it’s right, and why.

Worksheet

3 questions, 10 marks. Write your answers on paper, then check them.

Globalisation, postmodernism and identity

Cambridge IGCSE Sociology 0495 · 10 marks · papermunch.org

Name ______________________________ Date ______________

What is meant by the term "globalisation"?[2]
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The process by which societies around the world become increasingly interconnected.
I got this one
Describe two ways in which globalisation can affect identity.[4]
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Any two, each described: homogenisation, where identities become more alike as a global culture spreads; hybrid identities, where people mix elements of different cultures; cultural defence, where a group strengthens its own culture against outside influence.
I got this one
Explain the postmodernist view of identity.[4]
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Postmodernists argue that identity is no longer fixed by class, gender or ethnicity. People are free to choose who they want to be. They construct their identities from what they consume, their lifestyle and their online selves, in a "pick and mix" way.
I got this one

Answers: Globalisation, postmodernism and identity

1. The process by which societies around the world become increasingly interconnected.
2. Any two, each described: homogenisation, where identities become more alike as a global culture spreads; hybrid identities, where people mix elements of different cultures; cultural defence, where a group strengthens its own culture against outside influence.
3. Postmodernists argue that identity is no longer fixed by class, gender or ethnicity. People are free to choose who they want to be. They construct their identities from what they consume, their lifestyle and their online selves, in a "pick and mix" way.