Social Identity

The relationship between identity and language learning has attracted the scholars` attention in the fields of second language acquisition (SLA) with considerable focus on social and cultural dimensions of language learning. However, relatively little research has been devoted to examining the identity construction of language learners in virtual communities of practice despite the global trend of foreign language instruction. Consequently, the current mixed methods classroom-based study investigated whether the implementation of intercultural movie clips in virtual communities of practice could contribute to social and cultural identity improvement of participants in the English as a foreign language (EFL) context. To achieve this goal, two intact classes in an institute were assigned to experimental and control group, each containing thirty EFL learners. This study was implemented on the pre-test post-test equivalent-group design. Drawing on quantitative and qualitative analysis, using two questionnaires, and a semi-structured interview, the results indicated that positive changes took place in social and cultural identity of the participants. Moreover, by getting access to new social, cultural and linguistic resources and as a result the adoption of new identities, some special features such as fewer psychological barriers to understanding others, increasing courage to accept new norms, and feelings of unity and equity were obtained by the learners.   

Purpose: Investigating the cultural content of EFL textbooks is significant in critical discourse studies. The effect of cultural values on EFL learners’ social identity has been less investigated in the Iranian context. This study aimed at identifying type of cultural values embedded in New Interchange and Passages textbooks in terms of being global, local or glocal and the impact of these textbooks’ cultural values on Iranian EFL learners’ social identity. Methodology: 90 upper-intermediate EFL learners at 2 private language institutes and high schools in the city of Gilanegharb were selected among a population of 120 EFL learners based on taking an Oxford Placement Test (OPT). They were randomly divided into an experimental group (45 learners) and a control group (45 learners). The experimental group received global cultural teaching through exposure to private institute textbooks’ cultural values while the control group was taught through local cultural values embedded in the local textbooks. A Student Identity Questionnaire (SIQ) was used as both pre-test and posttest. Data were analyzed through Independent Sample T-tests using SPSS 21 software. Findings: The results indicated that the most frequent textbook cultural values were social power through the U.S. superiority, social relation through friendship and party, and accomplishments through success. Further analysis showed that the textbook cultural values had a significant impact on social identity scores of Iranian EFL learners showing stronger agreement with global cultural values promoted in the imported textbooks. Discussion: Results had implications for EFL teachers, learners, policy makers and material developers.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to model social trust based on social intelligence, social identity, and social isolation based on the moderating role of gender and family economic status on secondary school students in Tehran. Methodology: The research method was descriptive correlation based on modeling and structural equations. The statistical population consisted of all high school students in Tehran in the year 2019, from which 495 students were selected by multistage cluster sampling method. Data collection was done based on Social Trust Questionnaire (Dr Safari nia, Sharif 1389, base on Johnson's theory, 1993), Social Intelligence Questionnaire (Ang Ton Teeth, 2008), Social Identity Questionnaire (Dr Safari nia, Roshan 1390, base on Jenkins's theory, 2000) and Social Isolation Questionnaire (Modaresi Yazdi, 2014). Data analysis was done by SPSS19 and PLS-SEM software in two descriptive and inferential sections. Structural equation modeling was used to test the hypotheses. Findings: The results showed that based on the identified dimensions and components, the research model had a good fit. The results also showed that the results of social isolation, social intelligence and social identity had an impact on students' social trust. It should be noted that the social isolation variable has a negative coefficient and social intelligence and social identity have a positive path coefficient. It is therefore concluded that gender has a moderating effect on the coefficients of variable social identity on social trust. The coefficient indicates that social identity in girls has a greater impact on social trust than boys. It should be noted that gender has no moderating role in the relationship between social intelligence and social isolation with social trust. The results also showed that the relationship between social identity, social intelligence and social isolation with social trust in the high and low economic status group was different. Conclusion: Therefore, it is concluded that the economic situation has a moderating effect on the coefficients of the variables of social identity, social intelligence and social isolation on social trust.

The concept of sustainability is encouraged to preserve natural resources, social values, cultural heritage, and economic capital, which already exist to make available them for the next generations. Moreover, to enhance the level of sustainability in communities, numerous scholars indicated both individual and community identities play a crucial role. Sustainability is attainable and successful if there are compatibility and balance among cultural diversity, social justice, environmental responsibility, and economic equality as well as be able to attract people and appeared in their values and behaviors. Due to the critical role of social identity for improving the capacity of the people by changing their values and behaviors, it can be argued that social identity plays a vital role to achieve and support the concept of sustainability. Besides, place identity is linked to meanings and perceptions held by the people concerning their environment. Thus, the effect of social and place identities to achieve sustainable city has been identified as one of the urban design issues for contemporary cities. In this regard, the main aim is how social and place identities can contribute to promoting sustainability approaches and behavior in communities. The methodology of this study is an integrative literature review based on existing documents and studies. As a result, the research would convey to understanding the dynamic role of social and place identities for enhancing the level of sustainability in urban communities.

According to historiographical evidence, Surah al-Baqarah was the first Surah that was revealed after the Hijrah in Madinah. The variety and extent of the topics in this Surah caused it to be revealed two times during the first and second years of the Hijrah. During its revelation, the society in which the Messenger of God (PBUH) appeared was not uniformed, rather it was formed by scattered tribes, groups, and masses. The lack of a central government and a single religion had caused them not to have a common identity. Therefore, an important part of their political-social life was spending in war with each other. With the efforts of the Messenger of God (PBUH), this scattered society turned into a united form with an Islamic identity. Surah al-Baqarah has advanced the process of building a religious community in Medina step by step, and in this way, there have been suitable platforms for the vulnerability of the prophetic community. Since these platforms could create favorable conditions for the weakening and collapse of the internal cohesion of the prophetic community and as a result of the violation of the collective covenant and the scattering of the believers from around the Prophet (PBUH), in Surah al-Baqarah, through designing an engineering model, God provided the path of integration and cohesion in the prophetic society