A study of the Relationship between National Identity and Ethnic Identity among the Youth in Kouhdadash

Identity has been widely studied in its all aspects by many theorists and scholars. It is especially worth more attention when the youth are involved. Regarding the high number of young population of Iran, and their undeniable parts in political and social issues in the process of general changes, it is important to study formation of their social selves. The present article is a study of the relationship between national and ethnic identities of the young adults. It tries to find answers to three questions: a) To what extent do the youth in Kouhdasht tend to ethnic identity? b) To what extent do the youth in Kouhdasht tend to national identity? c) Is there any relationship between national and ethnic identities of the young adults?The research method is the survey type. Data gathering has done using questionnaires. Statistical population involves 20 to 27-year old young adults, living in Kouhdasht, among which 380 people were selected as sample for the research by random, stratified sampling method.The findings of the research reveal the population having various identities, which necessarily do not confront each other.An individual employs these identities as information packages in line with different occasions. National and ethnic identities are two communal identities that individuals internalize during their socialization process, as part of their selves, and use them when needed. Hence, people do not find any paradoxes among them.