Identity Formation

Erik Erikson

8 psycho social stages, where each stage represents a task to be masted for healthy development to continue. Young children deal with trust, autonomy, and initiative Adolescents deal with search for their "identity" a sense of who one is and what one stands for

identity diffusion

a state of identity development in which an individual avoids committing to specific beliefs, idelogy, or a specific path due to lack of interest or to avoid an identity crisis

identity foreclosure

a state of identity development in which an individual makes a commitment based on the values of expectations of others rather than personal desire

Identity Crisis

turning point where a person examines his/her values and makes or changes decisions about life roles.

Identity Foreclosure

making a commitment based on the suggestions of others and one that shuts out other possibilities

Moratorium

"I dont know what I want to do when I graduate so I will apply to college and for jobs"

Gender and Ethnicity in Identity Formation

Gender and identity formation-former belief that interpersonal relationships were more important than career issues and values. Female- career plans similar to male adolescent; balance of work and home life

Foreclosure

I am going into the military because everyone in my family went to the military

Diffusion

I really have no idea what I;ll do after graduation. I'll just have to see what happens

Identity Development

Identity is accomplished by choosing and developing a commitment to a particular role or occupation in life Experiment with various sense of "selves" in different situations. Important for making commitments and avoiding being dependent on the opinions of others.

Achievement

Im going to start college in the fall and study to become a scientist

identity achievement

a state in identity development in which a person has committed to a specific behavior regarding particular life choices

Identify and describe the four categories of adolescent identity status. Explain how each category helps adolescents deal with identity crises.

Psychologist James Marcia identified four patterns in the way that teenagers cope with the adolescent identity crisis. The four categories of identity status he describes are identity moratorium, identity foreclosure, identity diffusion, and identity achievement. Teenagers experiencing identity moratorium delay making important decisions in order to experiment with a variety of options. Adolescents in the identity foreclosure category quickly make a commitment without exploration. This commitment "forecloses" other possibilities. They may adopt a belief system or plan of action set by authority figures or their peers without considering whether it applies to them. Adolescents who fall under the identity diffusion category make no commitments to personal beliefs or career goals, appearing to lack direction. Teenagers in the identity achievement category have explored their options and committed themselves to an identity and life goals.

Identity Status

Reaction patterns or processes of handling identity crisis

identity moratorium

a state of identity development in which a person delays making a decisions about important issues but actively explores various alternatives

identity crisis

a period of inner conflict during which one examines person values and makes decisions about ones life direction

Identity Achievement

coped with crises and explored options and emerged with life plan

Identity Moratorium

delay making commitments about important questions; time for exploration

identity status

orientations representing identity developmental processes

Ethnicity and ID Formation

prejudice and discrimination contribute to problems; balancing values of 2 cultural heritages

Identity Diffusion

searching for meaning