Identity as a social phenomenon: theoretical and methodological foundations of social constructivism

The research presents the theoretical and methodological basis for the analysis of identity as a social phenomenon. The constructivist approach (P. Berger and T. Luckmann) allows one to study identity as a construct generated throughout the individual’s life. At the same time, in the modern global world order, the formation of identity is regarded as a dynamic non-linear incomplete process. In the context of globalization, each person has many identities which are summarized in a certain combination. Current social systems produce new social institutions and practices that provide the basis for constructing new identities, including hybrid ones. The constructivist approach should be considered promising when it comes to sociological conceptualization and the analysis of new and old forms/types of identity, some of which are challenges to the modern world order.