Identity development

Question 1

What do growing cognitive capacities lead to?

Answer 1

Changing views

Question 2

What is self reflection?

Answer 2

adolescents begin to think about themselves in ways that children cannot

Question 3

What are some emerging questions about the self?

Answer 3

Self-conceptions (how we think about ourselves)

Self-esteem (how we feel about ourselves) Identities (who we are)

Question 4

What are self conceptions?

Answer 4

Ways individuals think about, understand and describe themselves

Question 5

What are self conceptions like in younger children?

Answer 5

External, concrete traits in childhood

Question 6

What are self conceptions like as an adolescent?

Answer 6

More internal/private, complicated in adolescence

Question 7

How do self conceptions become more abstract?

Answer 7

Self as a concept (more trait focused)
E.g., I have dogs vs I’m caring and nurturing
Abstract generalizations
(e.g., I am tolerant)
Actual vs. possible selves
Possible: ideal & feared. Possible selves become more realistic in emerging adulthood

Question 8

How do self concepts become more complex?

Answer 8

Especially from early to middle adolescence. Can be contradictory – still trying to organize aspects of the self
False self:Awareness of exhibiting behaviour that does not represent what they are actually thinking or feeling
To impress or conceal aspects of the self (e.g., insta vs. finsta)

Question 9

How do self conceptions become more differentiated?

Answer 9

More subtle description and Consideration of contextual/situational factors (e.g., shy around new people, loud and funny with friends)

Question 10

How do self concepts become more integrated?

Answer 10

Recognition of discrepancies. Movement towards a consistent, coherent idea of the self (e.g., happy sometimes, sad sometimes = sensitive/emotional)

Question 11

What is self esteem?

Answer 11

A persons overall sense of worth and well-being. Set of positive or negative evaluations and feelings that people hold about themselves

Question 12

What is the rosenberg self esteem scale?

Answer 12

Baseline self-esteem: relatively stable. Changes occur slowly over extended period of time (e.g., decreases from childhood into early adolescence)
Barometric self-esteem: fluctuating
and Short-term changes that are Contextually determined
(Swings wider & more frequent in early adolescence)

Question 13

When does self esteem tend to decline?

Answer 13

Declines in early adolescence. inflated self-esteem in childhood. Puberty & new awareness of body image and Evaluations from others (e.g., romantic partners)

Question 14

when does self esteem tend to rise?

Answer 14

in late adolescence into emerging adulthood. Focus on physical appearance lessens, Improved relations with parents (increased feelings of acceptance). More control over social contexts

Question 15

What are the reciprocal effects of self esteem?

Answer 15

Feeling accepted & approved by others
Relationships with parents
Approval from adults outside family
School success

Question 16

What is self concept vs. Identity?

Answer 16

Distinct but related terms
Self conceptions: how we see ourselves
Identity: who we are
Collection of important concepts that define the individual. More detailed, organized sense of who they are and what is important

Question 17

What is erikson’s theory?

Answer 17

Each period of life is characterized by a distinct ‘crisis’. Adolescent crisis: identity vs. identity confusion which is the Period of struggle in the course of forming identity. Triggers self-reflection, motivation to explore choices, and ultimately commitment. Identity confusion: Failure to establish commitments in these areas by end of adolescence

Question 18

What are the identity formation domains of the identity vs. role confusion stage?

Answer 18

Identity formation domains: love, work, ideology

Question 19

What is the psychosocial moratorium aspect of identity vs. role confusion stage?

Answer 19

Psychosocial moratorium
Postponed adult responsibilities. Period of freedom to explore
Possible selves, interests, beliefs, talents, roles, etc.

Question 20

What is James’ marcias identity status theory?

Answer 20

There are 4 identity statuses: diffusion (no exploration and no commitment), Foreclosure (no exploration, just commitment), Moratorium (Just exploration, no commitment) and achievement (both)

Question 21

Which identity status is the best for the positive development adjustment

Answer 21

Diffusion < Foreclosure < Moratorium < Achievement

Question 22

What outcomes is diffusion associated with?

Answer 22

Apathetic, disconnected relationships and school difficulties, psychological problems

Question 23

What outcomes is foreclosure associated with?

Answer 23

close minded, rigid, resistant to change, higher on conformity, obedience to authority

Question 24

What outcomes is

moratorium associated with?

Answer 24

Open minded, thoughtful, anxious, less decisive

Question 25

What outcomes is achievement associated with?

Answer 25

decision making, problem-solving, better relationships, personal adjustments, school adjustments, self directed, cooperative

Question 26

When does identity development typically take place?

Answer 26

Primarily takes place in emerging adulthood

Recall: emerging adulthood as a time for identity exploration, self focus, possibilities, commitment

Question 27

What are some limitations of the identity status model?

Answer 27

Achievement status often not achieved in adolescence
Erikson’s model biased towards male development
Erikson’s model biased towards individualistic societies

Question 28

What are individualistic vs collectivistic societies

Answer 28

Individualistic cultures:independent self. Encouraged to think highly of oneself, to explore, to be unique and independent
Collectivistic cultures: interdependent self
Encouraged to consider the interests of the group, not to pursue personal interests/gains at expense of the group

Question 29

How is the identity status model narrow (limitation)?

Answer 29

Does not proceed through predictable set of stages

Cannot be applied to everyone

Question 30

How is the identity status model outdated?

Answer 30

Postmodern identity most common Complex: comprised of range of unique factors for individualized identity
Conflicting: multiple, sometime inconsistent identities
Variable: across context and time

Question 31

What are identity orientations?

Answer 31

Relative importance/value that individuals place on different identity attributes when constructing their self-definitions

Question 32

What are the cheek and colleagues aspects of identity?

Answer 32

Individual Relational
Public
Collective

Question 33

What is individual identity orientations?

Answer 33

Personal, private, intrapsychic experiences, traits and views (e.g., dreams, imagination, values, thoughts, emotions, self-knowledge)
Personal aspects to the individual that are important in defining identity

Question 34

What is relational identity orientation

Answer 34

Importance of interpersonal aspects of identity, such as relationships with others, qualities of relationships, feelings of connectedness
(e.g., being a good friend, feeling connected to others, having close bonds )
Aspects of identity tied into relationships/social interactions

Question 35

What is public identity orientation?

Answer 35

Importance of public aspects of identity such as reputation, public image, popularity, attractiveness to others (e.g., others’ impressions of you, physical appearance, social behaviour)
Distinction between private and public self-consciousness (self-monitoring
Does not mean ‘false’ identity

Question 36

What is collective identity orientation?

Answer 36

Identity derived from a shared sense of belonging to a group, often expressed through a group’s cultures and traditions (e.g., community belonging, political commitment, language)
Individual’s cognitive, moral, and emotional connections with broader community/group/institution

Question 37

What is social identity?

Answer 37

An individual’s association with or perceived belonging to a group (e.g., cultural identity, sports team )
Sense of pride based on group membership
Association with group (and characteristics central to the group) are taken on as part of their own identity
(e.g., traditions, values) Often interconnected to collective identity

Question 38

What is ethnic identity?

Answer 38

What it means to be a member of an ethnic minority within a society dominated by the majority culture
In adolescence, growing cognitive awareness of being a member of ethnic minority and the meaning behind that
and how others see them (prejudice, stereotypes)

Question 39

What is jean phinney’s responses to awareness of ethnicity?

Answer 39

Four statuses: Marginality (low identification with ethnic group and low identification with majority group)
Assimilation ( Low identification with ethnic group and high identification with majority group)
Separation (high identification with ethnic, low majority culture)
Biculturalism (High both)

Question 40

What is the AIQ

Answer 40

aspects of identity questionnaire. Assesses identity orientations: individual, public, relational, collective