This case study begins on a rather interesting note. The scene starts off with the main character of the case who's name is Ashley. Ashley is accompanied by her three friends Suzie, Heather, and Brittney and they are hanging out in Ashley's room discussing the latest trends. The case begins very interesting because Ashley is rather on the lower income end in comparison with her three friends. She is modeling clothing for them that she obtained by shopping through Goodwill and finding some excellent clothing with the tags still on them. Ashley does not want her friends to know that she was shopping at Goodwill and she definitely does not want them to know that she cannot afford the clothing she is wearing if it is new from the actual clothing store it originated. This gives a great example of the social identity theory which by definition provides an explanation of how our identities are developed and how we maintain our self-view (Close Encounters 24).
In Ashley's eyes her friends approval means more to her than anything. This is shown when Heather steals everyones' attention and directs it towards the movie Twilight that they are watching. Ashley becomes a little mentally upset because she was enjoying the attention being fixed on herself. All of this attention was helping build Ashley's theory of self. According to Close Encounters 28, Self- esteem refers to how positively or negatively we view ourselves. It was all going so well until Heather diverted everyones' attention.
Ashley's next large dilemma came when she was getting ready for her dance. She did not have all of the fancy hair spray and accessories the others had mentioned but she still wanted to stand out. Staring into her closet just made her more upset and revealed to the reader that she could not be as happy as the others without all of the stuff they mentioned during her slumber party. Ashley is struggling with her self identity greatly due to what her friends had said about their outfits and based upon their suggestions for her outfit. All of this feedback adds to Ashley's looking-glass self which is the feedback we receive from others helps shape our identities (Close Encounters 31). Without all of this slumber party discussion Ashley may have felt very confident in her clothing and probably would not have had second thoughts about what she was going to wear.
You explained this well. Its ridiculous how much name brands mean to people. Who cares if its from Goodwill all that matters is that it looks good and that you feel comfortable in it. Good job!
ReplyDelete-Ashlee Luna
J,
ReplyDeleteGreat job dude. It is weird to think about how much we rely on the opinions of those we surround ourselves with on a daily basis. Although all of the girls are different, they still have the appreciation and respect for one another as best friends. Although we all have rock parts of our friendships, the best of friends can overcome them and build their friendship to be even stronger.
Melissa Jordan
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ReplyDeleteGood job with your blog! I remember being in high school and noticing how much fashion meant to everyone. It is amazing to me that clothing can have such an impact on a society and relationships. Now that I am in college, I still like to wear nice clothes but the brand name could be anything to be honest!
ReplyDelete-Vanessa Ortiz
I like how your paper was themed around Ashley, and how much of an impact her friends had on the way she viewed herself! I remember the good and the bad things friends said to me in high school, they carried on with me for a while before I brushed it off and figured out my own identity. So refreshing! I enjoyed reading your analysis, great job!
ReplyDeleteHey Jeremy,
ReplyDeleteI think this is a good example of the looking glass self also. Ashley defines her identity base on how others see her. Also there is a component of the media defining her identity through the messages ads send about who you are or will be if you use this certain product or dress this way or read this book.
Good job as usual Jeremy.
-Cezanne Sanchez
Good post, It is so true that others help shape our identity. I know so many people who claim to not care what others think but there's so much irony in that because to some degree, everyone does care, otherwise we wouldn't be who we are.
ReplyDelete-Ryan Wooley