The Neurodivergent Identity (part 1): origins and types

What do we mean by identity?

Identity refers to a person’s sense of who they are based on personal beliefs (personal identity), which groups they belong to and the social roles or categories those groups identify with (social identity); thus an identity becomes a key aspect of how individuals perceive themselves and others in society. Growing up with these identities, especially through childhood, can play a major part in shaping our behaviours, attitudes, and how we relate to the world around us.

The idea of a group identity reflects the human collective reality to recognise and categorise common attributes to form the group. Many studies have examined the interplay between the self-identity and group-identity, this is summed up in a 1987 paper[1.] on self-categorization theory, which provides a framework for understanding how individuals transform their self-concept when participating in groups. Key elements include:

1. Shift in Self-Perception: Under certain conditions, individuals begin to perceive themselves less as unique personalities and more as interchangeable members of a defined group.

2. Depersonalisation: This psychological shift changes how people think and act, aligning their behaviour or with the norms and prototypes of the group.

3. Cognitive Focus: Refers to how individuals' behaviours within a group are primarily influenced by their perception and understanding of group norms and roles, as well as mental processes that define their alignment with the group's identity. This emphasis shifts away from personal motivational factors, such as the desire to enhance self-esteem, focusing instead on how individuals process and internalise the shared characteristics and expectations of the group.

We will explore the different types of personal and social group identities later, but a compelling example of the interaction between these two identity types is culture. Japan serves as a prominent illustration of collectivism prevailing over individualism. The concept of wa (和) translated as harmony, underscores the value of maintaining group cohesion, which often takes precedence over personal expression, as previously explored in the article: Is Japan an inclusive society for autistic individuals?

To follow the example further, in the later stages of Japan's modernist movement following the Meiji Era (1868–1912), the concept of individualism, which had been largely absent in traditional Japanese culture, began to emerge under the influence of Western society[2.]. This shift introduced subtle changes in perspective, though the collective ethos remained deeply rooted. Even today, the Japanese language often omits explicit subjects from sentences, reflecting this cultural nuance. For instance, one might simply say "going to lunch," leaving it up to the listener whether the intention is "I'm going to lunch" or "we're going to lunch," thereby emphasising the collective intention over the individual assertion.

Similarly, in some African cultures, the philosophy of Ubuntu ("I am because we are") popularised by Nelson Mandela[3.], highlights interconnectedness and mutual care as central to social identity.

“Ubuntu means “I am, because you are”. In fact, the word ubuntu is just part of the Zulu phrase “Umuntu ngumuntu ngabantu”, which literally means that a person is a person through other people. Ubuntu has its roots in humanist African philosophy, where the idea of community is one of the building blocks of society.

This quote emphasises social identity over personal identity in African culture, often reflecting broader societal values and structures; a common theme often studied extensively in social psychology and anthropology.

Where does the need for identity stem from?

A concept that can take our identity journey deeper is how humans have evolved successfully, outcompeting all animals on the planet, due to our unique ability to identify with abstract terms. This is explored in the beautiful and groundbreaking book by Yuval Noah Harari: "Sapiens - a Brief History of Humankind.[4.]"

Harari argues that the cognitive revolution, which occurred about 70,000 years ago, enabled Homo sapiens to conceive and share abstract ideas, a capability that fundamentally distinguished them from other human species, such as Neanderthals, and from their common ancestral descendant such as apes.

This unique ability to create and believe in shared myths and abstract ideas—such as gods, nations, laws, and money—allowed them to organise and cooperate in large numbers; a framework for trust and collaboration among strangers, enabling the formation of communities, trade networks, and eventually civilizations.

While Neanderthals were physically more robust and capable hunters, their smaller, kin-based groups limited their ability to compete with larger, more organised Homo sapiens who ultimately won the survival race. This small-group concept is seen with chimpanzees today who live in groups typically limited to around 20 members, with a clear hierarchical structure led by a dominant alpha. Their social bonds rely on grooming and direct relationships, which cannot scale beyond a small number.

This limitation arises because their cooperation is based on direct interpersonal trust rather than abstract shared beliefs. When group sizes exceed a certain threshold, chimpanzees, and Neanderthal in comparison, lack the mechanisms to maintain cohesion, leading to conflict or fragmentation.

This concept became the genetic blueprint for humans identity-related behaviours and the inbuilt strong desire to belong, live within and defend the social group whether the group is 20 members or 20 million members strong.

Types of Identities

Before we look at the specific neurodivergent identity let's explore the different types identities and examples within and their association where relevant to neurodivergence.

Personal Identities

• Name: The ultimate personal identity: your name. Commonly chosen by the parents but can be influenced by cultures, religion, astrology, celebrity, family traditions as examples. Anecdotal evidence[2.] highlights the common experience of name dysphoria among neurodivergent individuals, often reflecting discomfort or disconnection with their given name. Coupled with research[6.] indicating a reduced ability to recognise their own name when called, this phenomenon frequently contributes to atypical changing their name and their associated identity especially during teenage years.

  
  

• Gender Identity: Male, female, non-binary, transgender, genderqueer, etc. A 2022 study[7.] discussed the prevalence of autism in the UK is estimated to be around 1.76%, moreover, within the UK gender service, it was found that 15% of young people who attended a gender dysphoria assessment in 2015 were identified as autistic. We'll explore in the next section potential reasons for this difference.

  
  

• Age Identity: Youth, middle-aged, elderly, etc. Or to be more on-trend we can use the terms Gen Z, Gen Y (Millennials), Gen X, Baby Boomers, and others. These generational labels are often tied to shared cultural experiences, values, and societal events that shape individuals during their formative years. Notably, social media has significantly amplified the prominence of Gen Z compared to previous generations, influencing how companies adapt and reshape workplace environments to align with their expectations and preferences[8.].

  
  

• Sexual Orientation: Lesbian, gay, bisexual, asexual, heterosexual, pansexual, queer, etc. Quoting from the article in The Transmitter[9.] relating to the difference in sexual preferences to their neurotypical counterparts: "Sexuality also appears to be more varied among people with autism than among those who do not have the condition. Only 30 percent of autistic people in a 2018 study identified as heterosexual, compared with 70 percent of neurotypical participants."

  
  

• Personality Traits: Introvert, extrovert, empathetic, analytical, etc. Thinking about personality brings to mind the phrase: "If you've met one autistic person, you've met one autistic person." This saying emphasises the uniqueness of the autistic experience, highlighting how every neurodivergent individual presents differently. While I agree with the sentiment, I often find that when I meet fellow autistics, we share many commonalities, such as hypersensitivities and social anxieties. For me, personality plays a more significant role in shaping how these traits manifest and how people present themselves to the world.

  
  

  That said, I believe special attention should be given to the concept of introversion. For years, I used it as an explanation for my challenges, believing that my difficulties stemmed from being introverted. Yet, by my estimation, 98% of people would seem extroverted in comparison to my definition! This highlights the nuanced interplay between personality, neurodivergence, and how we interpret our own behaviours----exploring the deeper roots of autism from the emergent characteristics helped me find the real autistic traits.

  
  

• Hobbies and Interests: Artist, gamer, reader, traveller, writer, gym-goer, runner etc. Hobbies often play a profound role in shaping identity, particularly for those who immerse themselves deeply in their passions. The time spent pursuing these interests can become a defining feature of their self-concept.

  
  

  For gamers, this connection can reach a whole new dimension. Playing online through an avatar allows them to craft a virtual persona that acts as both a mirror and a mask. This avatar can reflect their inner selves or enable them to explore alternate identities, profoundly shaping their gaming experience and sense of self in the digital world. For some, this duality creates tension, as the identity expressed through their avatar may conflict with their real-world persona[10.].

  
  

  On a related note, it’s intriguing to consider the societal perceptions surrounding creative identities. A painter, for instance, is often asked about their specific focus—be it landscapes, still life, or abstract works—emphasising their artistic niche. Conversely, writers are more frequently questioned about their publications, framing their identity through a professional rather than hobbyist lens. This difference highlights how society values and categorises creative pursuits.

• Health Status: Living with chronic illness, disability, mental health condition, etc. Health conditions can intersect with one' identity influencing daily life, relationships, career choices, and long-term aspirations. Although different in each case some people choose to taken ownership of their illness and self-identify.

Within this framework, identification with a chronic illness or disease state is dynamic and emergent. It changes as the individual reflexively interprets the identification that ‘self’ and others bestow upon him or her[11.].

Social Group Identities

• Culture: Ethnic, Linguistic, Nationality, Religion: Countries, regions, continents, common languages, etc.

  
  

  Cultural identity refers to a person’s sense of belonging to a particular social group, shaped by shared customs, traditions, values, language, religion, history, and social norms. It is often rooted in the country where an individual is born or raised, with early upbringing and immediate environment playing a significant role in shaping their connection to their cultural heritage.

  
  

  With 85% of the world's population associated with religious belief[12.] it clearly plays a dominant role in personal and social identification.

While there are around 10,000 distinct religions in the world[13.], over three-quarters of the global population adheres to one of these four – Christianity (31%), Islam (24%), Hinduism (15%), and Buddhism (7%). 

As individuals grow and gain independence, particularly during their teenage years, they often begin to reevaluate and explore the extent of their cultural identity, sometimes deepening their connection or redefining their relationship with it in light of personal experiences and new perspectives.

• Societal: Family, Community, Economic Class, Political Affiliation: Family/parents/children, volunteers/activists/mentors, upper/middle/working class, etc.

  
  

  Family roles shape identity through intergenerational bonds through blood and shared upbringing. For parents having children gives an immediate sense of identity and greatly influences how they view themselves and their place in the world.

  
  

  Engaging in a volunteer/activist/mentor such as sports, environmental or charity roles, as examples, often fosters a sense of purpose, community connection, and moral alignment. Identity can become intertwined with causes and values, reflecting a commitment to making a difference or guiding others. Personally having been a football coach and club chairman for over ten years I can relate strongly to the volunteer identity---perhaps more than I sought to; often to point where many parents only viewed my identity in terms of the youth football club.

• Other Identity Group Examples:

  • Affinity Groups: LGBTQ+ groups, Ideology Groups, Campaign Groups, Employee Resource Groups.

  • Interest Groups: Interest club member, sports team member, etc. Chess, fandoms

  • Professional Groups: Occupation, Education, Skill-Based, etc. Union members, high school graduate, college student, researcher, teacher, engineers, medicine, artist, etc.

Conclusion

In summary, identity is a multifaceted concept that intertwines personal beliefs, group affiliations, and cultural influences to shape how individuals perceive themselves and their place in the world. It is both dynamic and deeply rooted, evolving through life experiences, societal interactions, and historical contexts. From the harmony-focused collectivism of Japanese culture to the interconnected ethos of Ubuntu in African philosophy, identity reflects humanity’s ability to construct meaning and belonging within diverse frameworks.

The interplay between personal and social identities highlights the intricate balance between individuality and group cohesion. Personal identities, such as gender, age, and hobbies, provide unique self-expression, while social group identities, like cultural or professional affiliations, offer collective meaning and support. These identities are not static; they shift as individuals navigate personal growth and adapt to external influences.

Moreover, our innate ability to identify with abstract concepts has been pivotal in human evolution, enabling cooperation, trust, and the formation of complex societies. This evolutionary blueprint underpins our intrinsic desire to belong and maintain social bonds, whether within a close-knit community or a sprawling civilisation—conversely it can send us to war fighting the "common-enemy". As we continue to explore identity’s various dimensions, including its relevance to neurodivergence, please follow part of we conclude the discourse looking at intersectionality and the effects of timing and acceptance on neurodivergent identity.

Reference

1. Reid, Fraser. (1987). Rediscovering the Social Group: A Self-Categorization Theory (Book Review). British Journal of Social Psychology. 26. 10.1111/j.2044-8309.1987.tb00799.x.

2. Salaryman (Film Documentary), 2021. Allegra Pacheco.

3. https://www.afnconference.org.au/ubuntu-i-am-because-you-are/

4. Harari, Yuval Noah. Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind. 2011. Penguin Random House.

5. https://www.reddit.com/r/autism/comments/rkwr4w/autism_and_name_change/

6. Nowicka A, Cygan HB, Tacikowski P, Ostaszewski P, Kuś R. Name recognition in autism: EEG evidence of altered patterns of brain activity and connectivity. Mol Autism. 2016 Sep 6;7(1):38. doi: 10.1186/s13229-016-0102-z. PMID: 27602201; PMCID: PMC5012044. 

7. Cooper, K., Butler, C., Russell, A. et al. The lived experience of gender dysphoria in autistic young people: a phenomenological study with young people and their parents. Eur Child Adolesc Psychiatry 32, 1655–1666 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00787-022-01979-8

8. https://www.theguardian.com/fashion/article/2024/jul/25/fashion-statement-how-gen-z-is-rewriting-workplace-communication

9. https://www.thetransmitter.org/spectrum/gender-and-sexuality-in-autism-explained/

10. https://academic.oup.com/edited-volume/35410/chapter-abstract/303154988

11. Karnilowicz W. Identity and psychological ownership in chronic illness and disease state. Eur J Cancer Care (Engl). 2011 Mar;20(2):276-82. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2354.2010.01220.x. Epub 2010 Aug 26. PMID: 20738388; PMCID: PMC3056146.

12. Curtis, K., & Olson, L. (2019, March 26). The Impact and Conceptualization of Religious Identity Across Disciplinary Perspectives. Oxford Research Encyclopedia of Politics. Retrieved 1 Dec. 2024

13. https://populationeducation.org/world-population-by-religion-a-global-tapestry-of-faith