Adolescence and Identity Development Quiz

Adolescence and Identity Development

• Middle adolescence (14-18) is a time of developing a personal moral code.
• Teens may not always act in alignment with their morals during this stage.
• By emerging adulthood (18-25), individuals begin to think about abstract concepts like justice, equality, and respect.
• Kohlberg's Theory of Moral Development outlines six stages across three levels.

Erikson's Psychosocial Theory

• The stage of Intimacy vs Isolation (18-35) focuses on developing close, intimate relationships.
• This stage involves aspects like selflessness, sexuality, and deep devotion.
• Failure to achieve this stage can lead to loneliness, isolation, and fear of relationships.
• Erikson's theory has limitations, including a focus on heterosexual relationships and men over women.

Ethnic and Racial Identity Development

• Ethnicity and race are often used interchangeably, but they are distinct.
• Ethnic-racial identity encompasses feelings and beliefs about one's ethnic or racial group membership.
• Childhood identifications with parents contribute to the foundation of identity formation.

Marcia's Identity Statuses

• There are four identity statuses, each based on two determinants: exploration and commitment.
• These statuses are determined by the process of exploration and commitment, not the outcome.
• Individuals can have different statuses for different aspects of their lives.
• Status can change over time.
• Variables like internal conflict, societal pressures, and individual experiences can impact identity status.

Identity Achievement

• Identity achievement, marked by commitment to values and goals after exploration, is more likely to occur in adulthood than late adolescence.
• This shift is attributed to economic and social changes that have made life tasks more complex and time-consuming.

Moral Development

• Prior to adolescence, children primarily conform to avoid disapproval from adults.
• Early adolescence marks the beginning of abstract thinking.
• During adolescence and young adulthood, individuals develop their own moral reasoning and behavior.

The Self Concept

• Children describe themselves in concrete terms.
• Adolescents use traits to describe themselves.
• As adolescents continue to develop, their self-descriptions become more abstract.
• They begin to distinguish between their actual and possible selves.
• Peer comparisons influence adolescent self-concept.