Adolescent Identity Formation

On the Conceptualization of Identity Erickson’s Stages Childhood 1.Trust 2.Autonomy 3.Initiative and ambition 4.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