Adolescent Identity Formation On the Conceptualization of Identity

Adolescent Identity Formation

On the Conceptualization of Identity • Erickson’s Stages Childhood 1. 2. 3. 4. Trust Autonomy Initiative and ambition Industry and competence Adolescence 5. Identity formation Adulthood 6. Intimacy 7. Generativity 8. Integrity

What is Identity: Erikson • Conscious sense of individual uniqueness • Striving for continuity of experience • Solidarity from group ideals • The Charge: such definitions are vague, unsystematic, too colloquial.

Marcia (1966) Identity Commitments • Identity is construed as committing to a particular vocation, sexuality, religion, political ideology, etc… • There is a progression of commitment “types” and “trying on” of commitments

The Identity Process • Adolescence – Identity-diffused: no strong commitment and not seeking one – Foreclosed: strong commitments but adopted from one’s parents or others blindly Identity Crisis: Unstable state—moratorium: One has no commitments but is seeking to make them.

Resolution from Moratorium • Two paths: – Identity-achieved (positive, relatively stable state): you commit. – Identity-diffused (negative, complex): you fail to commit.

Revisiting the Definition • Possible components – Agency – Rationality – Singularity – Continuity

Process Model of Identity Formation: Grotevant (1987) • Exploration and Commitment – Scientific self-theorists – Dogmatic self-theorists – Ad hoc self-theorists Correlates well with typology of Marcia