Identity throughout adolenscence and young adulthood

Question 1

Why logitudinal research?

Answer 1

Pro:
Can investigate Developmental trajectories (group level and subgroups)
Directionality of effect
Implications for prevention and intervention!
Cons:
Time-intesive
Expensive
Burdensome for participants

Question 2

Erik Erikson

Answer 2

Identity theory

Question 3

James Marcia

Answer 3

Founding father emperical resaerch identity

Question 4

Luyckx and colleagues

Answer 4

Process oriented identity model

Question 5

Difference: Self concept and Self-esteem

Answer 5

Self-concept: Descriptive
Self-esteem: Evaluative
Positive
Negative

Question 6

Identity

Answer 6

Certain roles that express who you are and provide a sense of uniqueness/continuity

Not a description but a definition

Central in adolescnese and transition in to adulthood

Question 7

Erik erikson: Lifespan theory

Answer 7

Theory with 8 phases

Universal model but cultural differences

Adolescence: identity synthesis vs. confusion

Question 8

Erikson: Adolescence: identity synthesis vs. confusion what is Sythetsis and confusion

Answer 8

Synthesis: temporal-spatial continuity

Confusio: subjected to circumstances, adrift, no energy or frame of reference to explore or commit

Question 9

Erikson: Identity

Answer 9

Context
Psyche
Body

Question 10

Identity as development-in-context

Answer 10

Macrosystem
Exosystem
Microsystem
Mesosystem

Question 11

Identity: Dual task

Answer 11

Differentation or individuation: Detaching from parents

Integration or social anchoring: Building a social network; less emphasis on dependance

Mutual reinforcement of crucial importance:
Individuation and integration need to go hand in hand in supportive climate

Question 12

Erikson: To adress dual taks there is a need for?

Answer 12

Moratorium period

Need for time to experiment with different roles

Social enviorment fuctions as a mirror in this process of trial and error

Problems:
Identity confusion
Labeling: self-fulfilling prophecy

Question 13

Erik Erikson’s view: (Dis)advantages

Answer 13

+ Emphasis on unique, individual life history

+Inspired much research on psychosocial development

-Little attention to reserach methods

-Many ideas difficult to examine: e.g., Teonpral-spatial continuity

Question 14

James Marcia

Answer 14

First operationalization of Erikson

Focus on interindividual differences

Erikson: Identity vs. confusion = making of identity commitments

Marcia (from his clinical experience): Two types of commitment, with and without exploration

Question 15

James Marcia: Two crucial dimensions

Answer 15

Commitment
Exploration

Question 16

Marcia: Identity status pardigm

Answer 16

Achivement: Commitment and exploration

foreclosure: Commitment and no explorations

Moratorium: No commitment and explorations

Diffusion: No commitment no exploration

Question 17

James marica: Measurements

Answer 17

Clinical interviews

Direct measures (questionnaires)

Indirect measures: median-split procedure

Question 18

James Marcia: Median-split procedure

Answer 18

Separate measures for commitment and exploration

Median calculated for both dimensions
Above median = “high”
Below median = “low”

Disadvantage: four groups are imposed!

Question 19

Achievement

Answer 19

Positive personal functioning: well-being, self-esteem

Little psychopathology, anxiety, drug use

Positive social functioning: extravert and mature intimate relationships

Critical, open attitude towards norms and rules
Internal locus of control, autonomy, self-determination

Good balance between assimilation and accomodation

Question 20

Foreclosure

Answer 20

Positive personal functioning: well-being, self-esteem

Little psychopathology, anxiety, drug use

Less positive social functioning: Formal relationships with an emphasis on superficial features

Rigid and closed attitude towards norms and rules: “the law is the law”

Narrow-minded and obedient

Especially assimilation of discrepant information

Question 21

Moratorium

Answer 21

Less well-being and lower self-esteem

Experience anxiety and drug use

More of a temporary nature?

Relatively positive social functioning: capable of mutual intimate relationships

Ambiguous with respect to own parents

Critical, open attitude towards norms and rules

Analytical, autonomous, self-determined

Question 22

Diffusion

Answer 22

Decreased personal and social functioning: low self-esteem, anxiety, drug use

Tendency for delinquency: boredom or experimentation?

Difficulty with intimate relationships

Superficial and little involvement
Lack of goal striving and efficiency

Egocentric attitude: own gain, hedonism

Low on conscientiousness, impulsive

Question 23

Fundamental developmental hypothesis

Answer 23

Progressive status changes throughout adolescence

Strict interpretation: Follows a fixed pattern
Diffusion → Foreclosure → Moratorium → Achievement

Question 24

Identity development: Strict intepretation 2 charteristics

Answer 24

hierarchical-linear character: strict succession + no status skipped

Unidirectionality: only one direction; achievement = normative endpoint

Need for a nuanced interpretation:

Question 25

Identity development

Answer 25

No strict linear succession of statuses

On average progressive changes

But: Individual variability with regression and stability

Achievement not normative endpoint

Also developmental trajectories with regression and progression (e.g., Moratorium-Achievement or MAMA-cycles): Identity as a continuous proces with re-evaluations

Question 26

James Marcia: Criticisms

Answer 26

Too much emphasis on one’s achieved identity Identity formation shoud be seen as a process

Too little attention for social context

BUT:
Marcia has never stated that statuses fully capture eriksons theory