1. A Sense of Identity Achieved Erikson: Identity vs. Role Confusion
Adolescence
Identity Crisis
Moratorium
Marcia’s Identity Statuses (next slide)
Diffusion
Foreclosure
Achieved

3. Developmental Progress of Identity Formation
Philip Meilman study
Age 12-15: diffusion or foreclosure
Age 18: moratorium
20% 18 year old; 40% college; slightly more than half of 24 year olds= Id achiev.

4. Influences on Identity Formation
1. Cognitive growth: formal operations
2. Relationships with parents
Rejection, neglect: diffusion status
Identification w/parents first helps
Foreclosure: may not develop own ID
Achieved more likely if living independently
Moratorium, Identity Achieved
Affection and freedom at home

5. Influences on Identity Formation
Prior stage resolution
Educational/work history
Models/alternatives
Personality traits
Gender

6. Critique of Identity Status Model
Validity/reliability of test instrument
Replication
Expand samples
Cross-cultural
Type model
Timing in recent cohorts

7. The Self in a Cross-Cultural Perspective
Culture
Gender
Age

8. Culture Collectivism vs. Individualism Collectivism
define self as part of group
welfare of group; goals
social norms
duties and obligations

9. Culture Individualism define self as separate from group
personal goals
welfare of individual
internal processes

10. Implications for the Development of the Self
Childrearing patterns
Meaning of different aspects of the self
Value systems, i.e. heroes
Relationships vs. possessions
Motives and behaviors

11. Men, Women and Identity Formation
Gender: sociocultural aspects of being masculine or feminine
Gender Identity: set by age three; acts as perceptual filter; expectations deeply ingrained; basis of stereotypes
Real gender differences actually small

12. Gender Roles Female Expressive Role establish/maintain relationships
nurturing, cooperation, sensitivity
Male Instrumental Role
goal/achievement oriented
dominance, assertiveness, independence
more valued role in society

13. Social Role Theory Contribution of biological factors minimal
Roles learned through socialization
Gender splitting

14. Evolutionary Psychology
Natural selection
Successful adaptation
Cultural processes have coevolved
Gender revolution

15. Prominence of the Male Model of Development
Erikson, identity and females
Female= deficient or deviant
Contradiction- femininity and adulthood
Strengths may be dysfunctional in our society

16. Identity Research and Women
Content different while process similar
Differences- sociocultural not capacities
Foreclosure may = identity achievement
Timing

17. Patterns of Age-Related Change in Adult Personality
Declines in neuroticism, extroversion and openness
Increase in agreeableness, conscientiousness
Rate of change highest age 18-30
Older less: thrill seeking, cheerfulness, openness
Older more: self-control, morally responsible, aware of social demands

18. Explanation of Age-Related Changes
Cross-cultural findings suggest nature
Advantages at different points in lifespan
Orderly pattern to adult personality development regardless of place or time

19. Maintaining Continuity of the Self
Most elders have positive sense of self
Cognitive explanation
Subjective age
Patterns in subjective age
Positive or negative subjective age

20. Causes of Low Self-Esteem in Late Adulthood
If negative, unlikely to reverse
Drop in self-esteem: loss of physical capacity or loss of control