| What are the contemporary views on identity development that is different from Erikson's "identity crisis"? | Contemporary perspectives view identity development not so much as a crisis, but rather a GRADUAL process of experimenting with different potential life decisions and ultimately deciding on a course of action (Marcia, 1980, 1987, 2010). |
| Researches interviewed adolescents and found that young people's decisions can be classified into one of four states, which vary in their ability to produce healthy outcomes (Marcia, 1980, 1987, 1999, 2010). Outline these 4 states. | 1. Identity diffusion.
2. Identity foreclosure.
3. Identity moratorium.
4. Identity achievement. |
| What is identity diffusion? | Identity diffusion is a state of identity development that occurs when individuals fail to make clear choices. The state is characterised by haphazard experimentation with different career options. Individuals may not be developmentally ready to make decisions.
If it persists over time, it can result in apathy and confusion (Berzonsky, 2011; Berzonsky, Cieciuch, Duriez, & Soenens, 2011). |
| What is identity foreclosure? | Identity foreclosure is a state of identity development that occurs when individuals prematurely adopt the positions of others such as parents. This usually happens without thoroughly examining the implications for their future. |
| What is identity moratorium? | Identity moratorium is a state of identity development that occurs when individuals pause and remain in a "holding pattern." Long-range commitment is delayed. It involves exploration without reaching a firm commitment or conclusion.
This is a POSITIVE exploratory state that involves thinking and weighing options that may eventually lead to identity achievement. |
| What is identity achievement? | Identity achievement is a state of identity development that occurs after individuals make decisions about goals and achievements. As we might expect, this is a positive state and many adolescents experience both identity diffusion and identity moratorium before arriving at identity achievement. |
| In our modern society, when do students typically reach the state of identity achievement? | Research indicates that students reach identity achievement more commonly AFTER -instead of during- high school (Berzonsky, 2011; Duriez, Luyckx, Soenens, & Berznosky, 2012; Kroger, Martinussen, & Marcia, 2010).
This is especially true for college students, who have more time to consider what they want to do with their lives and often change their majors a number of times during their college careers (Klimstra, Hale, Raaijmakers, Branje, & Meeus, 2010). |
