Understanding Identity - Audio: Recent Episodes
The Open University
Who are we? What shapes us into the people we are? Over the last 50 years advances in society and technology has meant that we can be whoever we want to be. Infertile couples have the chance of conceiving a child; a man can become a woman; if an organ fails, you can get a new one. But is it all for the greater good? There are people in today's society who wouldn't think twice about putting a patent on our biological and genetic heritage. The tracks on this album discuss issues such as identity, the relationship between the natural and the social sciences, and the colossal topic of ethnicity, especially in the UK. The material forms part of the course DD100, An introduction to the social sciences: understanding social change
Definitions of identity, the existence of personal and social identity and the way in which concepts of identity have changed.
Transcript -- Definitions of identity, the existence of personal and social identity and the way in which concepts of identity have changed.
Identities are formed by society and by individuals. Identities are created by people’s responses to us and our reactions to those responses.
Transcript -- Identities are formed by society and by individuals. Identities are created by people’s responses to us and our reactions to those responses.
Ability to change our identities and how this has been influenced by developments in technology. Constraint of external factors.
Transcript -- Ability to change our identities and how this has been influenced by developments in technology. Constraint of external factors.
Belonging to a group; the importance of viewing identity in terms of similarity as well as difference.
Transcript -- Belonging to a group; the importance of viewing identity in terms of similarity as well as difference.
Transcript -- What 'natural' means in the context of food and the market for human organs.
Animal organ transplants, ambivalent attitudes to animals, and their relation to human society.
Transcript -- Animal organ transplants, ambivalent attitudes to animals, and their relation to human society.
The increasing importance of risk assessment due to the developments of science and technology.
Transcript -- The increasing importance of risk assessment due to the developments of science and technology.
Risk assessments may be based on inaccurate models which give misleading results ending in disaster. Taking social as well as natural into account when performing risk assessment may provide more accurate results.
Transcript -- Risk assessments may be based on inaccurate models which give misleading results ending in disaster. Taking social as well as natural into account when performing risk assessment may provide more accurate results.
Public mistrust of government experts and the importance of transparency in building trust. Experts need an understanding of natural and social factors.
Transcript -- Public mistrust of government experts and the importance of transparency in building trust. Experts need an understanding of natural and social factors.
There is a need for 'experts' with specialist knowledge to make decisions but democracy means demanding accountability. An inter-disciplinary approach is considered essential to study of risk. Interest groups would be beneficial.
Transcript -- There is a need for 'experts' with specialist knowledge to make decisions but democracy means demanding accountability. An inter-disciplinary approach is considered essential to study of risk. Interest groups would be beneficial.
he increasing visibility of different races and ethnicities in all aspects of British life. Is this trend is likely to continue or whether a kind of ‘English ethnicity’ assert itself?
Transcript -- he increasing visibility of different races and ethnicities in all aspects of British life. Is this trend is likely to continue or whether a kind of ‘English ethnicity’ assert itself?
Investgating the Stephen Lawrence murder case . Change in attitude is the responsibility of both public institutions and private individuals
Transcript -- Investgating the Stephen Lawrence murder case . Change in attitude is the responsibility of both public institutions and private individuals
Young people’s perceptions of identity may hold the key to understanding issues of race and ethnicity in Britain.
Transcript -- Young people’s perceptions of identity may hold the key to understanding issues of race and ethnicity in Britain.