TO BE FROM OF: THE IDENTITY AND ITS REPRESENTATION IN THE MEDIA

Beyza Akyüzlü; Şahinde Yavuz

Article Details

TO BE FROM OF: THE IDENTITY AND ITS REPRESENTATION IN THE MEDIA

Authors:

Beyza Akyüzlü | Şahinde Yavuz

Publisher:

Tekirdag Namik Kemal University

Main Topics:

İletişim Sosyolojisi | Kent Sosyolojisi ve Toplum Çalışmaları

Journal:

HUMANITAS - Uluslararası Sosyal Bilimler Dergisi Vol.13 Issue 25, pp.25-49

Document Type:

Article

Publication Date:

3/2025

Document Language:

Turkish

Document ID (Org No.):

2001342905

pISSN:

2147-088X

Keywords:

Abstract:

 Identity is a concept extensively debated by social scientists, politicians, and scholars across fields such as cultural studies, religion, and law. Its definition is fluid, and its relational boundaries continue to evolve rapidly. Since the 1980s, studies on identity within disciplines like sociology, communication, social psychology, philosophy, and political science have not only introduced new perspectives but also made identity a central theme in complex, multidimensional discussions. This study aims to explore how residents of Of, a district in Trabzon, construct and express their identity, differentiate themselves from other identities, and are perceived by non-Of Trabzonians. It also examines how media representations of the TrabzonOf identity are evaluated by the participants. A qualitative research approach was employed, using in-depth interviews as the primary method. Interviews were conducted with twenty participantseleven from Of and nine from Trabzon. The research findings were analyzed using MAXQDA 2020. The study reveals that individuals from Of believe their identity confers a unique sense of privilege and advantage. This perception of privilege, instilled in Of men from childhood and reinforced by environmental influences, plays a significant role in shaping their self-awareness. From a social identity perspective, the Of identity aligns with Social Identity Theory, where in individuals affirm their in-group affiliation and foster positive self-consciousness within their social group. Participants also expressed that media representations of the TrabzonOf identity are exaggerated and often unrealistic.

 Identity is a concept extensively debated by social scientists, politicians, and scholars across fields such as cultural studies, religion, and law. Its definition is fluid, and its relational boundaries continue to evolve rapidly. Since the 1980s, studies on identity within disciplines like sociology, communication, social psychology, philosophy, and political science have not only introduced new perspectives but also made identity a central theme in complex, multidimensional discussions. This study aims to explore how residents of Of, a district in Trabzon, construct and express their identity, differentiate themselves from other identities, and are perceived by non-Of Trabzonians. It also examines how media representations of the TrabzonOf identity are evaluated by the participants. A qualitative research approach was employed, using in-depth interviews as the primary method. Interviews were conducted with twenty participantseleven from Of and nine from Trabzon. The research findings were analyzed using MAXQDA 2020. The study reveals that individuals from Of believe their identity confers a unique sense of privilege and advantage. This perception of privilege, instilled in Of men from childhood and reinforced by environmental influences, plays a significant role in shaping their self-awareness. From a social identity perspective, the Of identity aligns with Social Identity Theory, where in individuals affirm their in-group affiliation and foster positive self-consciousness within their social group. Participants also expressed that media representations of the TrabzonOf identity are exaggerated and often unrealistic.

 Identity is a concept extensively debated by social scientists, politicians, and scholars across fields such as cultural studies, religion, and law. Its definition is fluid, and its relational boundaries continue to evolve rapidly. Since the 1980s, studies on identity within disciplines like sociology, communication, social psychology, philosophy, and political science have not only introduced new perspectives but also made identity a central theme in complex, multidimensional discussions. This study aims to explore how residents of Of, a district in Trabzon, construct and express their identity, differentiate themselves from other identities, and are perceived by non-Of Trabzonians. It also examines how media representations of the TrabzonOf identity are evaluated by the participants. A qualitative research approach was employed, using in-depth interviews as the primary method. Interviews were conducted with twenty participantseleven from Of and nine from Trabzon. The research findings were analyzed using MAXQDA 2020. The study reveals that individuals from Of believe their identity confers a unique sense of privilege and advantage. This perception of privilege, instilled in Of men from childhood and reinforced by environmental influences, plays a significant role in shaping their self-awareness. From a social identity perspective, the Of identity aligns with Social Identity Theory, where in individuals affirm their in-group affiliation and foster positive self-consciousness within their social group. Participants also expressed that media representations of the TrabzonOf identity are exaggerated and often unrealistic.

 Kimlik, sosyal bilimciler, siyasetçiler tarafından, kültürel çalışmalar, din, hukuk gibi alanlarda tartışılan, kesin tanımı olmayacak kadar akışkan ve ilişkisel kapsamı hızla değişen kavramlardan biridir. Özellikle 1980 sonrasında sosyoloji, iletişim, sosyal psikoloji, felsefe ve siyaset bilimi alanlarında artan kimlik üzerine çalışmaların gösterdiği gibi kavram, hem çok yeni bir tartışma alanı sunmakta, hem de farklı ve çok boyutlu tartışmaların ana teması olmaktadır. Bu çalışmanın amacı, Trabzonun ilçelerinden biri olan Ofta yaşayan Ofluların kimliklerini nasıl kurdukları, kendilerini diğer kimliklerden nasıl farklılaştırarak bir anlam inşa ettikleri, Oflu olmayan diğer Trabzonlular tarafından nasıl algılandıkları ve TrabzonOf kimliğinin medya temsillerinin katılımcılar nezdinde nasıl değerlendirildiğini araştırmaktır. Çalışmada nitel araştırma yaklaşımının kullanılması uygun bulunarak derinlemesine görüşme metodu seçilmiştir. Bu kapsamında 11 Oflu ve dokuz Trabzonlu olmak üzere toplamda 20 kişi ile görüşme gerçekleşmiştir. Araştırma bulguları MAXQDA 2020 ile analiz edilmiştir. Çalışmanın sonucunda, Ofluların, Oflu olmanın kendine has bir ayrıcalık ve avantaj sağladığı görüşünde oldukları anlaşılmıştır. Bu ayrıcalık hissi Oflu erkeklere çocukluklarından itibaren benimsetilmekte ve çevresel faktörlerce pekiştirilmektedir. Kimlik perspektifinden incelendiğinde; Oflu kimliğinin Sosyal Kimlik Kuramının iç grup aidiyetini olumlama süreçlerine bağlı olarak işlediği, Ofluların sosyal grup içerisinde olumlu bir benlik geliştirme potansiyeline sahip olduğu görülmüştür. Trabzonlu  Oflu kimliğinin medyadaki temsili, katılımcılar tarafından abartılı ve gerçeğe aykırı olarak bulunmuştur.

Article Details

TO BE FROM OF: THE IDENTITY AND ITS REPRESENTATION IN THE MEDIA

Authors:

Beyza Akyüzlü | Şahinde Yavuz

Publisher:

Tekirdag Namik Kemal University

Main Topics:

İletişim Sosyolojisi | Kent Sosyolojisi ve Toplum Çalışmaları

Journal:

HUMANITAS - Uluslararası Sosyal Bilimler Dergisi Vol.13 Issue 25, pp.25-49

Document Type:

Article

Publication Date:

3/2025

Document Language:

Turkish

Document ID (Org No.):

2001342905

pISSN:

2147-088X

Identity

Social Identity Theory

Media

Representation

Of IdentityKimlik

Sosyal Kimlik Kuramı

Medya

Temsil

Oflu Kimliği

Issues

Article Details

Authors: Beyza Akyüzlü | Şahinde Yavuz

Publisher: Tekirdag Namik Kemal University

Main Topics: İletişim Sosyolojisi | Kent Sosyolojisi ve Toplum Çalışmaları

Journal: HUMANITAS - Uluslararası Sosyal Bilimler Dergisi Vol.13 Issue 25, pp.25-49

Document Type: Article

Publication Date: 3/2025

Document Language: Turkish

Document ID (Org No.): 2001342905

pISSN: 2147-088X

Issues

Authors:

Beyza Akyüzlü | Şahinde Yavuz

Publisher:

Tekirdag Namik Kemal University

Main Topics:

İletişim Sosyolojisi | Kent Sosyolojisi ve Toplum Çalışmaları

Journal:

HUMANITAS - Uluslararası Sosyal Bilimler Dergisi Vol.13 Issue 25, pp.25-49

Document Type:

Article

Publication Date:

3/2025

Document Language:

Turkish

Document ID (Org No.):

2001342905

pISSN:

2147-088X