Examples Of Erikson's Theory Of Identity Vs Identity Confusion

Erikson theorizes that in such a period, adolescents have certain tasks, one of which is identifying who they are. An individual successfully completes the task by staying true to his or her self, whereas when a person fails that stage, it leads to role confusion; consequently creating a weak sense of self. (Block 2011). The stage also entails a variety of personal challenges and limitations faced as well as a series of needs to be met, including: attention, guidance, independence, stability, and acceptance, among other needs. Meeting an adolescent’s needs is fundamental to their healthy development and personal growth. Nevertheless, adolescence remains as puzzling of a period in time for both the teens experiencing it, as well as for the individuals surrounding them, watching them as they navigate through the trials that adolescence brings them.

With respect to Erikson’s eight stages of psychosocial development, the adolescence is the stage of identity versus role confusion. He also believes that identity as the significant personality achievement of adolescence is an essential step toward becoming a productive happy adult (Feldman, 2006). I remember so vividly my high school experience; especially

It outlines the struggle an individual faces in finding stability between developing a sense of forming a unique identity while still being accepted and “fitting in” with society. Erikson believed that when teenagers adequately navigated their way through this crisis, they would transpire into having a clear understanding of their individual identity and easily share this new ‘self’ with others. However, if an individual is unable to navigate their way through this crisis period, they may be uncertain of who they are which can result in a lack of understanding, leading to disconnection from society and the people around them. If youth become stuck at this stage they will be unable to become emotionally mature adults, according to Erikson’s theory. This period of an individual’s life allows them to investigate possibilities which will lead them to discovering their own identity based upon the result of their explorations.

Adolescent is a disconcerting time when there are many life changes emotionally, physically, socially and psychologically. There are unrealistic expectations which lead to disappointment and rejection. The maturity level of adolescents makes them feeling life is not fair and things will never change to benefit them. Erikson’s identity vs. role confusion is an example of how developing into owns identity can be challenging, especially when learning how to transition into adulthood. Adolescence is one of the most importance stages in life where the mind and body goes through varies changes. When changes cause impairment or interfere with activities of daily living it results in

One of the theorists to investigate the development of identity would be Erik Erikson. According to Erikson (1968), throughout an individual’s life-span, they experience conflicts. These conflicts arise at certain points in life and need to be successfully resolved for the progression in to the next of Erikson’s eight stages (Sigelman & Rider, 2015). The specific stage relevant to the development of identity formation in adolescence would be the ‘identity versus role confusion’ stage. Identity development involves exploring options and making commitments to obtain a relatively stable self-perception (DeHaan & MacDermid, 1996). In contrast, role confusion occurs when individuals are not able to commit specific life choices (DeHaan & MacDermid,

“Achieving a sense of identity is the major developmental task of teenager.” – Lorenzo Johnson, Ph.D. There is many factors in one’s life that effects their sense of identity that they develop as a teenager. One of the major external factors that could be considered is family and how they influence one’s self-identity. Another external factor that effects a teen’s identity is their friends/peer group. Lastly an external factor that helps a teen development their sense of identity is the way others affect them, how society influences them as a person. Although there are many internal factors that influences one’s identity, there are more prominent external factors that influences one’s self- identity development.

“In the teenage years, young people begin their quests for identity” (Bellows 2). According to Dr. Amy Bellows in her article “Your Teen’s Search for Identity”; our teenage years is the time period when we scour for an identity, although we find a struggle to find our true identity. Status symbols, forbidden behaviors, rebellion, idols, and cliquish exclusion are the most common ways in which us as teenagers struggle with our identity (Bellows 2-7). In other words, peer pressure and self-esteem are some of the factors that can mislead us from the path towards our “ideal” identity. Furthermore, searching for an identity influences one’s future.

Adolescence: Fidelity – Identity vs. Role Confusion – The famed term “identity crisis” comes from this period of development. Erikson argued that adolescents undergo an identity crisis during which they must establish an identity, goals, and a purpose. Adolescents who struggle to find a purpose to their lives and a separate identity from their parents and other caregivers may be unable to establish a coherent, consistent identity.

During the adolescent years, the conflict of interest in Erikson’s psychosocial theory deals with identity and identity confusion (Ashford et al, 2013). These years are crucial in developing a youth’s self-esteem. Young people are highly self-conscious. Their perceptions of self

The adolescence stage of development in Erikson’s theory was labeled as identity vs. role confusion. Teenagers begin developing a sense of who they are in the world by testing different roles and forming them into a single identity (Erikson Handout, 2017). However, Erikson’s idea of the typical adolescent and identity does not completely

The primary issues of adolescence according to Erikson is the search for identity. "Adolescents face a crises between identity and role confusion. They must balance the desire to try out many possible selves and the need to select a single self" ( Kail & Cavanaugh. Chapter 9: Moving in to the Adult Social World. In Essentials of Human Development, p. 236). Erikson used the term "crisis" to describe a series of internal conflicts that are linked to developmental stages. When an adolescent achieves their sense of identity, they're prepared to establish intimate relationships, which is the next developmental challenge. This crisis represents the struggle in finding a balance between developing their own individual identity while still being accepted

Erik Erikson believed that identity development is a life-long task through which individuals understand themselves and their roles in society. Erikson’s ideas sparked a demand for more research on the topic. In an effort to expand this topic, James Marcia focused on two of Erikson’s factors that are essential to identity development. These factors are Exploration and Commitment. Exploration is a process through which adolescents make decisions regarding their future roles in society, and find roles that satisfy their goals.

Adolescence is a time for self- discovery. According to Erikson, adolescents seek their own identity, sorting through the traditions and values of their families and cultures. He said that this crisis is resolved with identity achievement, when adolescents have reconsidered the goals and values of their parents and culture, accepting some and discarding others, forging their own identity. Identity achievement; Erickson’s term for the attainment of identity, or the point at which a person understands who he or she is as a unique individual, in accord with past experiences and future

Discussions about identity most often than not begins with Erikson’s formulation of the eight psychosocial stages of human development. Each success that is achieved is caused due to the completion or overcoming of a task or crisis. When a child grows into adolescence, he/she arrives at the fifth stage of human development. Identity versus role confusion is examined and experienced as the young adult either overcomes the task by developing an identity or by facing a crisis of confusion. At this point, the teenager is dealing with a “unified and consistent sense of self that integrates pubertal changes into a mature sexual identity, assumes adult social and occupational roles, and established personal values and attitudes” The adolescent is

All throughout our lives, we wrestle with the question of who am I and what do I want in life? However, it is usually during the adolescent years that this issue really comes to a head and we begin a more earnest search into finding ourselves and deciding the direction we want to take with our lives. One of the theorists who studied this idea of identity formation was James Marcia. Marcia proposed that there were four different stages or statuses in the development of identity which he labeled Identity Diffusion, Identity Foreclosure, Identity Moratorium, and Identity Achievement. In this essay, we will briefly summarize his four different stages and then apply his theory to my own identity development during the adolescent years.