Individual identity is strengthened by representation in others’ attention

Evidence

As well as being taken up in the media flows that orientate my attention towards this rather than that, my individuation receives its structure and its substance from the attention given to me by people who are ‘close to me’ (parents, friends, teachers, neighbours, colleagues), since joint attention is a matter of presence and proximity (even if of a telesthetic nature thanks to the telephone or Skype). The strength available to my person comes, to a great extent, from its ‘representation’ in the attention of the other – which should be understood in the strong sense in which we speak of political representation: bringing into play questions of power and not just appearance. — Yves Citton, The Ecology of Attention, 493

Categorization

• XREF: Links joint attention (Baldwin/Hobson developmental psychology) to political theories of representation and power. — connects to: Attention is not just a filter of perception but the formative interface of identity — Yves Citton, The Ecology of Attention, 355; Attention enables individuals to become themselves, not merely survive — Yves Citton, The Ecology of Attention, 486; Identity salience shifts with the scale of the surrounding group (+7 more)

Broader Connections

• Being named and hailed by others constitutes one’s identity #corroborates (0.88) — Stuart Hall, Essential Essays, Volume 2, 237
• Identity gets constituted when the Other’s gaze names it #corroborates (0.85) — Stuart Hall, Essential Essays, Volume 2, 207
• Identities are reinforced by outsider-given labels #corroborates (0.80)
• The modern discourse of identity depends on recognition by others and masks suppressed fear #expands (0.75)
• Identity salience shifts with the scale of the surrounding group #qualifies (0.72)