Scribd
Upload
13 views2 pages

Identity Development in Adolescence

The document discusses Erikson's theory of identity formation, emphasizing that it is a lifelong process that peaks during adolescence and emerging adulthood, marked by identity crises and exploration of personal beliefs. It introduces Marcia's four identity statuses, highlighting the importance of achieving a coherent identity for healthy development, while also addressing the challenges faced by adolescents in identity diffusion, which can lead to negative emotional and behavioral outcomes. The text underscores the influence of social environments on identity development and the potential for maladaptive coping mechanisms among those struggling with identity confusion.

Uploaded by

Values
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
13 views2 pages

Identity Development in Adolescence

The document discusses Erikson's theory of identity formation, emphasizing that it is a lifelong process that peaks during adolescence and emerging adulthood, marked by identity crises and exploration of personal beliefs. It introduces Marcia's four identity statuses, highlighting the importance of achieving a coherent identity for healthy development, while also addressing the challenges faced by adolescents in identity diffusion, which can lead to negative emotional and behavioral outcomes. The text underscores the influence of social environments on identity development and the potential for maladaptive coping mechanisms among those struggling with identity confusion.

Uploaded by

Values
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Theoretical framework

According to Erikson (1968), the task of identity formation is a continuous and

lifelong process that peaks in adolescence and emerging adulthood. He defines identity as a

sense of self, resulting from the integration of past, present, and future experiences. The

process of identity development begins with a phase of identity crisis, a normative

developmental phase of transition in which adolescents search for a sense of self through an

intense exploration of personal beliefs and goals (Erikson, 1968).

Identity achieved adolescents have successfully undergone crisis. Identity coherence

refers to the feeling of trust in the reliable unity and continuity of the self, mirrored by

supportive others. This feeling is crucial for healthy development of adolescents, boosting

their ego strength of competence and enhancing their prospects of making a successful

transition to adulthood (Schwartz et al., 2009). The construction of a viable identity generally

requires successful resolution of the major conflicts that have dominated earlier phases of

childhood and have centered on fundamental issues of trust, autonomy, and initiative

(Erikson ,1968).

However, Adolescence is a vulnerable phase of psychological turbulence and

reorganization in the life cycle (Ludot et al., 2018) and particularly dependent on the social

forces, structures, and institutions in which it is embedded (Erikson ,1968).The process of

identity development can be extra bewildering if young adults have unresolved past conflicts,

feel unsupported within their existing social environment and put the individual in the state of

identity confusion that young adults failed to create a clear sense of purpose and direction.

(Erikson ,1968; Stuewig et al., 2015;).

Based on Erikson’s theory, Marcia (1980) introduced a new outlook on identity

formation in addition to the phase of exploration, there is a phase of commitment, which

refers to the adoption of firm convictions or choices.


Marcia (1980) has proposed four identity statuses: the most mature status is Identity

Achievement where the adolescence has successfully undergone identity exploration and

develop firm commitment. While Identity Diffusion is the least mature one where the young

person neither investigate alternative identities nor commit to a particular one. They are

usually unstable and move from one option to the next.

Although they may seem carefree, the lack of commitment reduces their ability to form close

relationships (Marcia ,1980). In fact, these people are socially isolated, having low self-

esteem, mood swing, rebelliousness, indecisiveness concerning major life choices and may

have poor grades at schools (Barelle, 2015; Baumeister & Leary, 1995; King & Taylor,

2010).

This diffusion state invokes strong negative affect and hinders the ability to regulate

their emotions and may engage in self-destructive behaviours state such as alcohol initiation,

drug abuse and depression in order to cope with their pain according to self-medication

hypothesis (Kernberg, 2006). They also likely to involve in aggressive behaviours as a

consequence of their frustration according to frustration- aggression Hypothesis (Berkowitz,

1969).

Such individuals are sensitive to influence by others who can elevate their self-

esteem. (Schwartz, 2009). And they may look for alternative ways such as Absorption into

authoritarian group structures and adoption of racist ideologies that provide a negative

substitute for an integrated identity (Erikson ,1968).

You might also like