Adolescence
ACT for Youth Resources: IdentityToolkit: Identity Development links to additional resources on identity. Show
"Who Am I?" -- Identity Formation in Adolescence, a handout by Rachel Sumner of Cornell University, provides a brief overview of adolescent identity development. PDFFormatted for Screen ReadersOur Multiple IdentitiesMany dimensions of identity intersect to form our sense of self:
ACT for Youth Highlight Purpose in Adolescence In this article, the authors present evidence that having a sense of purpose can help adolescents successfully navigate challenges. Visit Toolkit: Identity Development for resources. Learn more about Adolescent Development. What is Identity?Identity refers to our sense of who we are as individuals and as members of social groups. Our identities are not simply our own creation: identities grow in response to both internal and external factors. To some extent, each of us chooses an identity, but identities are also formed by environmental forces out of our control [4]. Identity is dynamic and complex, and changes over time. Self-Identity and Social Identity
A positive self-identity is correlated with positive self-esteem [5, 6]. All identities are not equally valued by society, so some adolescents may especially need reinforcement to help them construct a positive sense of self. Dimensions of IdentityMany dimensions of our identity intersect to form our sense of self and cannot be separated from one another. Visible dimensions of identity, such as race and gender, tend to be more important for individuals since they are significant to the individual in every social context and carry more serious consequences in society [4]. For example, race may be important in all social interactions, but political identity, which is not ordinarily visible, may be relevant for some individuals only during election time. Let's look at an example of how social context may influence one's internal sense of identity. Jasneet's parents were born in India but she is an American citizen and generally self-identifies as an American. She chooses to celebrate the Indian festival of Diwali with her parents and extended family but celebrates American holidays with her peers from high school. In this case, Jasneet has an American national identity, but in her home environment finds that her ethnic identity may be important. In her school environment, she may celebrate American holidays and traditions. This illustrates how national and ethnic self identities may vary depending on the social context. Stages and Statuses of Identity DevelopmentIn the 1960s, psychologist Erik Erikson argued that adolescents face a major identity crisis, "Identity vs. Identity Diffusion," which he considered one of the stages of psycho-social development [3]. Successful resolution leads to a secure identity; failure leads to role confusion and a weak sense of self. The key to resolving this crisis lies within the adolescent's interaction with others. James Marcia, also a developmental psychologist, described similar tasks for adolescents, but rather than characterizing them as "stages" he believed the process was non-linear [7]. Marcia proposed that "statuses" of identity development occur in response to crises in domains such as school, relationships, and values, rather than progressing in a linear fashion. According to Marcia:
References
Who came up with the idea of adolescent identity?In the 1960s, psychologist Erik Erikson argued that adolescents face a major identity crisis, "Identity vs. Identity Diffusion," which he considered one of the stages of psycho-social development [3].
What researcher developed the stages of identity crisis for adolescent?According to Erik Erikson, the main task of adolescents is to solve the crisis of identity versus role confusion. Research has shown that a stable and strong sense of identity is associated with better mental health of adolescents.
Which of the following scholars is well known for the study of identity?Erik Erikson (1902–1994) was a psychoanalyst and the most prominent architect of the psychosocial construct of identity formation (see [1, 2]).
Which of the following researchers developed the identity status interview?Marcia developed the Identity Status Interview, a method of semi-structured interview for psychological identity research, that investigates an individual's extent of exploration and commitment across different life areas.
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