Identity vs. Individuality: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Updated on December 25, 2023
Identity is the collective aspect of a set of characteristics by which a person is recognizable or known, whereas individuality emphasizes the unique and distinguishing traits of a person.
Key Differences
Identity is a set of characteristics, values, and beliefs that define a person in a social context. It includes aspects such as name, nationality, ethnicity, and religion. Identity is often linked to the external perception of a person and is sometimes assigned or influenced by societal norms. Individuality, on the other hand, refers to the traits and characteristics that make a person distinctive and unique. It's a deeply personal expression of self that is less about societal labels and more about personal qualities and traits.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 14, 2023
Identity is about the sameness that connects a person to a group, a community, or a role. It's often how others perceive and recognize us in the social sphere. People can share identities with others, such as being a part of a family or a citizen of a country. In contrast, individuality sets one apart from the group, highlighting the unique combination of attributes and qualities that an individual possesses, which cannot be entirely replicated in another person.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 14, 2023
Identity can be seen as the external shell that can be observed and defined by others. It often answers the question "Who are you?" in a broad, collective sense. For example, someone may identify as a doctor, which speaks to their profession and social role. Individuality, however, is internal and subjective, answering the question "What makes you, you?" beyond social roles or titles. It's about personal tastes, thoughts, and the idiosyncrasies that aren't immediately visible.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 14, 2023
Identity can change and evolve over time, influenced by personal experiences, social relationships, and cultural contexts. As people move through life, they may adopt new identities or shed old ones, like changing careers or acquiring a new nationality. Individuality, though also fluid, tends to have a more consistent core, composed of intrinsic traits and an enduring sense of self that persists despite external changes.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 14, 2023
Identity involves recognition and can be authenticated through documents or shared characteristics within a community, like an ID card verifying someone's age and nationality. Individuality cannot be certified in this way; it's an abstract concept that encompasses one's unique perspective, creativity, and personal expression, which documentation or communal validation cannot encapsulate.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 14, 2023
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Comparison Chart
Definition
A set of characteristics by which a person is recognized.
The qualities that distinguish an individual from others.
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Nov 14, 2023
Basis
Social constructs and external validation.
Inherent traits and personal expression.
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Nov 14, 2023
Expression
Through documents, names, and affiliations.
Through individual choices, style, and behaviors.
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Nov 14, 2023
Stability
Can change with external factors.
Generally consistent, with a core essence.
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Nov 14, 2023
Shared Aspect
Can be common among groups (e.g., nationality).
Unique to the individual, not typically shared.
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Nov 14, 2023
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Recognition
Often requires external acknowledgment.
Self-recognized and less dependent on others.
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Nov 14, 2023
Focus
On how one fits into predefined categories.
On what makes one uniquely different.
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Nov 14, 2023
Identity and Individuality Definitions
Identity
The fact of being who or what a person or thing is.
Her identity as a lawyer is important to her self-concept.
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Nov 08, 2023
Individuality
The quality or character of a particular person or thing that distinguishes them from others of the same kind.
Her individuality is expressed through her unique sense of fashion.
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Nov 08, 2023
Identity
In information technology, the information used to represent an entity in a computer system.
She set up a user identity to access the online platform.
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Nov 08, 2023
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Individuality
The total character peculiar to and distinguishing an individual from others.
The individuality of his writing style set his work apart from his peers.
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Nov 08, 2023
Identity
The qualities and beliefs that make a particular person or group different from others.
His identity was shaped by his family's values and traditions.
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Nov 08, 2023
Individuality
The power or capacity of being an individual.
Her strong individuality was evident even at a young age.
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Nov 08, 2023
Identity
In mathematics, an equation that is true for all values of the variable.
The trigonometric identity sin²(x) + cos²(x) = 1 is fundamental in calculus.
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Nov 08, 2023
Individuality
The state or quality of being a distinct person separate from others.
He values his individuality and the freedom to make his own choices.
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Nov 08, 2023
Identity
The condition of being a certain person or thing
What is the identity of the author of the manuscript?.
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Oct 19, 2023
Individuality
In art, the expression of the artist's own ideas and creativity.
The painting's individuality comes from its unusual color palette and technique.
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Nov 08, 2023
Identity
The set of characteristics by which a person or thing is definitively recognizable or known
"The identity of the nation had ... been keenly contested in the period of nationalist opposition to Imperial rule" (Judith M. Brown).
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Oct 19, 2023
Individuality
The aggregate of qualities and characteristics that distinguish one person or thing from others; character
Choices that were intended to express his individuality.
Monotonous towns lacking in individuality.
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Oct 19, 2023
Identity
The awareness that an individual or group has of being a distinct, persisting entity
"He felt more at home thousands of miles from Britain than he did in an English village four miles from his home ... Was he losing his identity?" (Robert Fallon).
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Oct 19, 2023
Identity
The fact or condition of being the same as something else
The identity of the two handwriting samples was established by an expert.
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Oct 19, 2023
Individuality
The quality or state of being individual; singularity
She was so involved in the cause that she lost all sense of individuality.
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Oct 19, 2023
Identity
The fact or condition of being associated or affiliated with something else
The identity between mass and energy.
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Oct 19, 2023
Identity
Information, such as an identification number, used to establish or prove a person's individuality, as in providing access to a credit account.
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Oct 19, 2023
Identity
An equation that is satisfied by any number that replaces the letter for which the equation is defined.
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Oct 19, 2023
Individuality
(uncountable) The characteristics that contribute to the differentiation or distinction of someone or something from a group of otherwise comparable identity.
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Oct 19, 2023
Identity
Sameness, identicalness; the quality or fact of (several specified things) being the same.
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Oct 19, 2023
Individuality
The quality or state of being individual or constituting an individual; separate or distinct existence; oneness; unity.
They possess separate individualities.
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Oct 19, 2023
Identity
The difference or character that marks off an individual or collective from the rest of the same kind, selfhood, sense of who something or someone or oneself is, or the recurring characteristics that enable the recognition of such an individual or group by others or themself.
I've been through so many changes, I have no sense of identity.
This nation has a strong identity.
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Oct 19, 2023
Individuality
The character or property appropriate or peculiar to an individual; that quality which distinguishes one person or thing from another; the sum of characteristic traits; distinctive character; as, he is a person of marked individuality.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Identity
A name or persona—a mask or appearance one presents to the world—by which one is known.
This criminal has taken on several identities.
In this show, the competitor's identity will remain secret until after the vote.
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Oct 19, 2023
Individuality
A habit of thinking and acting in one's own distinctive manner and as one believes appropriate, not being heavily influenced by the opinions of others; - of people.
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Oct 19, 2023
Identity
(mathematics) An equation which always holds true regardless of the choice of input variables.
The equation (x+y)(x−y) = x2−y2 is an algebraic identity. It is true regardless of the values of x and y.
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Oct 19, 2023
Individuality
The quality of being individual;
So absorbed by the movement that she lost all sense of individuality
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Oct 19, 2023
Individuality
The distinct personality of an individual regarded as a persisting entity;
You can lose your identity when you join the army
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Oct 19, 2023
Identity
(algebra) An element of an algebraic structure which, when applied to another element under an operation in that structure, yields this second element.
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Oct 19, 2023
Identity
The state or quality of being identical, or the same; sameness.
Identity is a relation between our cognitions of a thing, not between things themselves.
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Oct 19, 2023
Identity
The condition of being the same with something described or asserted, or of possessing a character claimed; as, to establish the identity of stolen goods.
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Oct 19, 2023
Identity
The distinct personality of an individual regarded as a persisting entity;
You can lose your identity when you join the army
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Oct 19, 2023
Identity
The individual characteristics by which a thing or person is recognized or known;
Geneticists only recently discovered the identity of the gene that causes it
It was too dark to determine his identity
She guessed the identity of his lover
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Oct 19, 2023
Identity
An operator that leaves unchanged the element on which it operates;
The identity under numerical multiplication is 1
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Oct 19, 2023
Identity
A close similarity or affinity.
The twins' identity made it hard to tell them apart.
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Nov 08, 2023
Repeatedly Asked Queries
What is identity?
Identity is the set of characteristics and roles by which a person is recognized by society.
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Nov 14, 2023
Can identity change?
Yes, identity can change over time due to new experiences or changing societal roles.
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Nov 14, 2023
Does identity require validation?
Often, identity needs external validation, like documents or societal acknowledgment.
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Nov 14, 2023
Is individuality constant?
Individuality tends to remain consistent, reflecting a person's intrinsic qualities.
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Nov 14, 2023
Can two people have the same individuality?
No, individuality is unique to each person.
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Nov 14, 2023
What is individuality?
Individuality refers to the unique traits and characteristics that distinguish one person from another.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 14, 2023
Do people have control over their identity?
People can shape their identity, but it is also influenced by external societal factors.
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Nov 14, 2023
What is an example of individuality?
An example of individuality is someone’s unique sense of humor or artistic talent.
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Nov 14, 2023
Is identity important?
Identity is important as it helps in societal functioning and personal recognition.
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Nov 14, 2023
How is identity connected to culture?
Identity is often connected to culture through shared traditions, language, and values.
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Nov 14, 2023
How is individuality expressed?
Individuality is expressed through one's personal choices, style, and behavior.
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Nov 14, 2023
Are identity and individuality mutually exclusive?
No, they coexist; identity relates to social perception while individuality pertains to personal uniqueness.
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Nov 14, 2023
Can individuality be suppressed?
Individuality can be suppressed by external pressures to conform to societal expectations.
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Why is individuality important?
Individuality is important for personal expression and psychological well-being.
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Nov 14, 2023
Is identity shaped by individuality?
Yes, the individual traits and decisions can shape and influence one’s identity.
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Nov 14, 2023
What is an example of identity?
An example of identity is someone's role as a teacher or their nationality.
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Nov 14, 2023
Can one's identity include aspects of their individuality?
Yes, aspects of individuality, like personal beliefs, can become part of one's social identity.
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Nov 14, 2023
How do people discover their individuality?
People discover their individuality through self-reflection, personal experiences, and creative expression.
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Nov 14, 2023
Can individuality affect one's identity?
Yes, individual traits can influence how one's identity is formed or perceived.
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Nov 14, 2023
Does individuality conflict with societal norms?
Individuality can sometimes conflict with societal norms, but it also enriches cultural diversity.
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Nov 14, 2023
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About Author
Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.
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