Theoretical Developments on ‘Memory’ and ‘Identity’: An Integration between Mead and Halbwachs

• In Event: 038 - Theory Section Refereed Roundtable Session and Business Meeting
  In Refereed Roundtable 60min: Table 01. Body and Identity

Abstract

Our aim is to explore theoretically the relation between memory and identity, approaching the intersection between two theories that have collectivist orientations: Maurice Halbwachs´ theory of memory and the George H Mead´s reflection about identity. At the beginning, we show how memory and identity are co-dependent phenomena. We then show a) how Halbwachs explains the formation of individual memory based on the collectivity and b) how Mead explains the formation of identity also based on collectivity. In the end, we show how both explanations could benefit from the other based on their convergent collectivist approach.

Author

• Veridiana Domingos Cordeiro, University of São Paulo