When these tendencies are shared than they become part of that person s group identity. Most important, group members share the experience of being viewed in terms of the stereotypes that others have about them. Sociologists and psychologist agree that group identity, only one part of individual identity, varies for each individual by many factors, such as personality, social class, geographic location, occupation, and life experiences. Thus, it is often said that there are more differences within groups that between groups. For example, a group tendency for Asian-Americans may be politeness, but if a person has a hot temper, this will override the cultural norm of politeness.
People born into a group also vary on how strongly they choose to identify with the group.
For some, group membership may be the most salient part of their identity. For others, it is not. Some choose not to identify with the group at all and disavow most or all of the group tendencies as much as possible, at least on a conscious level. Yet even these people find that part of their group identity affects their perspective. For virtually all immigrant groups or individuals, a process of acculturation takes place along a continuum ranging from total identification with one s original culture to the assimilation of some or all of the new culture.