Identity Development Lesson-4 PDF

IDENTITY DEVELOPMENT Identity The distinct personality of an individual regarded as a persisting entity. “identitas” in Latin means “sameness” A well developed identity is comprised of goals, values, and beliefs to which a person is committed. Identity Development It’s a complex process by...

IDENTITY DEVELOPMENT Identity The distinct personality of an individual regarded as a persisting entity. “identitas” in Latin means “sameness” A well developed identity is comprised of goals, values, and beliefs to which a person is committed. Identity Development It’s a complex process by which people come to develop a sense and understanding of themselves within the context of cultural demands and social norms. Identity Development Theorists Erick Erikson James Marcia Jeffrey Arnett Eric Erikson’s Theory of Psychosocial Development  Role Confusion Being unsure of who you are and where you fit Drifting from one job or relationship to another Feeling disappointed and confused about your place in life  Consequences of Role Confusion Role confusion can have lasting consequences on a person's life, including: Difficulties with commitment Worse mental health and well-being Weak sense of self Lack of confidence Benefits of Finding One’s Identity Commitment Self-confidence Sense of independence Fidelity How to Strengthen Identity Check your core values Know oneself Self-compassion How to Decrease Role Confusion Build on your strengths Try new things to discover what you like Make commitments and set goals Participate in activities that are related to your interests James Marcia’s Identity Status Theory He proposes the four status of identity. These statuses are used to describe and pinpoint the progression of an adolescent's identity formation process. Individual explored various alternatives and made firm commitments to an occupation, religion, sexual orientation, and a set of political values. The four-identity status Identity Diffusion (also known as Role Confusion): The opposite of identity achievement. happens when the crisis is not resolved and when one failed to commit to any goals, values and life direction The individual has not resolved their identity crisis yet by failing to commit to any goals or values and establish a future life direction It is characterized by disorganized thinking, procrastination, and avoidance of issues and actions. The four-identity status Identity Foreclosure: Happens when the self conform to an identity without exploring what suits them best. For instance, teenagers might follow the values and roles of their parents or cultural norms. They might also foreclose on a negative identity, or the direct opposite of their parents' values or cultural norms.  The four-identity status Identity Moratorium: This postpones identity achievement by providing temporary shelter. This status provides opportunities for exploration, either in breadth or in-depth. Examples of moratoria common in American society include college or the military. The four-identity status Identity Achievement: This status is attained when the person has solved the identity issues by making commitments to goals, beliefs, and values after an extensive exploration of different areas Jeffrey Arnett's Theory on Identity Formation in Emerging Adulthood Jeffrey Arnett's Theory on Identity Formation in Emerging Adulthood Identity formation is most prominent in emerging adulthood, consisting of ages 18–25. Identity formation involves trying out various life possibilities and gradually moving toward making enduring decisions, These three realms of identity exploration are: Love: an individual explores love to find a profound sense of intimacy. While trying to find love, individuals often explore their identity by focusing on questions such as: "Given the kind of person I am, what kind of person do I wish to have as a partner through life?" These three realms of identity exploration are: Work: individuals are preparing for careers that they might have throughout adulthood. Individuals explore their identity by asking themselves questions such as: "What kind of work am I good at?", "What kind of work would I find satisfying for the long term", or "What are my chance of getting a job in the field that seems to suit me best?" These three realms of identity exploration are: Worldviews: When an individual is exposed to different ideas in school. Higher education promotes explorations and reconsiderations of worldviews "I am very sure that someday I will get to where I want to be in life." It is not the beauty of a building you should look at; it’s the construction of the foundation that will stand the test of time -David Allan Coe- Discussion Questions for Individuality 1. How do you understand individuality after reading the chapter? 2. What is your major takeaway (main message) from the reading? 3. How do you feel about yourself after reading the chapter?