Dreams Quote by Steven D. Levitt
““Social scientists sometimes talk about the concept of "identity". It is the idea that you have a particular vision of the kind of person you are, and you feel awful when you do things that are out of line with that vision.””
About This Quote
Source Book: Freakonomics, 2005
Identity shapes behavior; actions misaligned with self‑image cause distress and cognitive dissonance.
In simple terms: Identity guides actions; mismatch hurts.
Key Takeaway
Align actions with self‑vision.
Themes
identity
psychology
behavior
Mood
analytical
insightful
Type
academic
philosophical
When to use this quote
- career choices
- personal growth
- social roles
Key Concepts
self‑concept
cognitive dissonance
Questions to Reflect On
- What core values define you?
- How do you reconcile conflicting actions?
A Different Perspective
Identity can be fluid, not fixed.
![“[...]if you are hoping to damage opponents' mental health, go ahead and tell them how inferior or dim-witted or nasty they are. But even if you are certifiably right on every point, you should not think for a minute that you will ever be able to persuade them. Name-calling will make you an enemy…” quote by Steven D. Levitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/4e9/steven-d-levitt-5284_first-place_if-you-are-hoping-to-damage-opponents-me_193482.jpg)
