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Lesson details

Learning outcome

I can describe characteristics and causes with which people may identify and how this may contribute to their worldview.

Key learning points

  1. Everybody has a set of immutable characteristics which may contribute to our perceptions of the world.
  2. These characteristics may also contribute to others' perceptions of us.
  3. Choosing to identify with causes you support can create a feeling of identity and belonging.
  4. Causes that people may choose to identify with may be indicative of social, political or religious views.

Keywords

  • Immutable characteristic - fixed parts of someone's identity e.g. age, place of birth

  • Perception/perceive - the way someone understands or interprets something, based on what they see, hear, or experience

  • Vegan - a person who does not eat or use any animal products, such as meat, dairy or eggs

Common misconception

That people's perceptions of us based on our immutable characteristics are always correct and well founded.

These are assumptions and may be based on stereotypes and prejudice.

Teacher tip

Students can look at examples of those in history who have fought for certain causes and consider why they chose that cause, how did they show this and if that cause indicated any social, religious or political ideas.

Content guidance

Depiction or discussion of sensitive content

Depiction or discussion of sensitive content

Supervision

Adult supervision recommended

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2026), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0
except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions
(Collection 2).

Lesson video

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Prior knowledge starter quiz

5 Questions

Q1.
Baptism represents joining the Christian...

Correct Answer: community, Community

Q2.
What does Salah require Muslims to do?

Fast in Ramadan
Correct answer: Pray five times a day
Attend the mosque in the evening

Q3.
Puja is a form of offered to deities.

Correct Answer: worship, Worship

Q4.
Non-attachment in Buddhism means:

Rejecting all relationships
Correct answer: Not clinging to things that are temporary
Becoming emotional

Q5.
How do these rituals shape Jewish identity?

They weaken community ties
They distract from heritage
Correct answer: They reinforce shared history and covenant

6 Questions

Q1.
Match each keyword to its meaning:

Correct Answer:Immutable characteristic,fixed parts of someone's identity e.g. age, place of birth

fixed parts of someone's identity e.g. age, place of birth

Correct Answer:Perception/perceive,the way someone understands or interprets something

the way someone understands or interprets something

Correct Answer:Vegan,a person who does not eat or use any animal products

a person who does not eat or use any animal products

Q2.
People are born with some characteristics that are over time.

Correct Answer: unchanging, Unchanging

Q3.
Why is a person’s date of birth an example of an unchanging characteristic?

It can be edited later.
Correct answer: It is fixed and factual.
It depends on a personal choice.

Q4.
Characteristics can affect how we the world.

Correct Answer: perceive, Perceive

Q5.
Why might someone identify with a cause?

It is assigned by law.
Correct answer: It relates to their identity or experiences.
Everyone must choose at least one cause.

Q6.
Supporting certain causes can show underlying beliefs.

Correct Answer: religious, Religious

To help you plan your 10 religious education lesson on: Identity: what's in a label?, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...