Psychology: Identity Crisis in Adolescence

Identity Crisis in Later Adolescence

• The most important psychological development in later adolescence (after age 16) is the formation of a mature identity.
• A mature identity consists of an inner sense of uniqueness and an outward statement of goals, values, and beliefs.
• The primary task of later adolescence is to answer the question "Who am I?" and understand oneself in reality and fantasy.

Challenges in Forming a Mature Identity

• Adolescents must navigate new relationships with family members and friends during this phase.
• They must explore new ways of feeling and acting sexually, with or without the influence of peers, parents, and authority figures.
• They must also develop new ways of conceptualizing themselves and their world.

Examples of Identity Formation

• The author mentions a personal example of wanting to be either a poet or a carpenter, but not a businessman, possibly due to their father's profession.
• This example illustrates the exploration of identity and the desire to differentiate oneself from others.