Identity, Growth, And Conflicts In The Movie '

It has not been too long ago that I still remember my adolescent years. I always remember the unintelligent things I did that I wish could change, but this Psychology class made me realize that all adolescents go through the same things I experienced. Adolescents are known to try to find their identity, go through peer pressure, make mistakes, and try new things. The move I picked that closely represented what adolescents go through was “Mean Girls”. Some of the scenes in the movie seem a little exaggerated, but it has happened in certain high schools even though I had not experienced it personally.

Despite the large amount of people that feel confident and comfortable in expressing themselves freely, many adolescents have a deteriorating concept of self because of the belief that they should have to conform to their peer’s ideals. The identities of these children are being dictated by a need of acceptance from prominent social groups in their environment; however, teenagers must realize one’s own individuality as something beneficial and recognizing that conforming can become problematic in certain situations.

In the video, there is a group of adolescence who don't know who they really are yet. They do not know what they will be in the future and what they want. A girl and a boy are shown looking at images of themselves being something in the future and then switching. There is confusion in this stage, and a threat of identity. As described in the chapter, adolescents must establish basic social and occupational identities, or they will be confused about their roles as adults.

Much like Maeve’s trial and error phase, Erikson’s theory of identity versus role confusion explains psychological conflict of adolescence. This theory states that this conflict is resolved positively when adolescents achieve an identity after a period of exploration and inner soul searching. If a young person’s earlier conflicts were resolved negatively or if society limits their choices to ones that do not match their abilities and desires, they may appear shallow, directionless, and unprepared for the challenges of late adulthood. (p. 314). Maeve luckily didn’t make many choices that were resolved negatively. These social and emotional changes weren’t always easy for the rest of the family to deal with, but they were a part of her growth. With us there to provide nurturing support, she was able to develop her own healthy identity after her period of “soul searching.”

For over a decade, many a middle school student has watched an episode of degrassi and wondered “How accurate is this show anyway?” Everyone at some point questions how many teens deal with any of the situations dealt with in this TV show. The drugs, depression, and drama come off as excessive, but then again we should be watching the show in context. These high school students, like every Degrassi student before them, experiences biological, cognitive, and social change daily. They are slowly growing into the people that will one day make some of the big decisions in this country or even other countries. First these young people are forged through the biological and cognitive changes they will face, as well as the uncontrollable environment with which they were born. Leading up to an important discover that all adolescents must make, their identity. All adolescents will be challenged to make the decision on who they are and what for what they stand at some point in their teen years. Following two students from this generation of Degrassi students, Tristan and Miles, one can see that the road to identity achievement is different for everyone, but follows certain circumstances and experiences not unique to the adolescent condition.

Although the times have changed, from day to day life, youth still face a great deal of the same struggles that are displayed in the movie. Comparable to the movie, in today’s society, a teenager has to battle the stress of attempting to achieve good grades, an inner battle with themselves based on their self-image, popularity, and parents.

First of all, with the use of plot and character as dramatic elements, MacLeod is able to depict the main characteristics of the nature of adolescence, mainly the search for identity and the quest for independence. Among the scientific community, adolescence is believed to be the most crucial period in human development. It is a period of “rapid biological, social and psychological change” (Soto, et al. 330). There are the transformations that define puberty, there are changes in the relationships and attitudes towards adults and peers, and many teenagers struggle to form a coherent identity (331). In the process of discovering their identities, most adolescents become self-centered. Having not yet

Erik Erikson created eight stages in psychosocial development that are categorized as crises that a person will experiences at some period during the life cycle (Steinberg, 2014). In Hannah’s case, she is experiencing the fifth and sixth stage of psychosocial development. The fifth stage is Identity vs. Identity Diffusion. In this stage, adolescents are trying to discover a sense of identity (Steinberg, 2014). As an adolescent matures, he or she starts to realize and think about their place in society. For example, they start to reflect on how people view them and the different opportunities they have for their future. In order for adolescents to develop a sense of

This book largely has three sections which are Kids Brave New World, Inside the Lives of Today’s Teens, and Helping Our Kids Cope and Grow. I will describe and make important points for each of the chapters.

Adolescents are in a transition time between childhood and adulthood. Adolescence can be a crucial time for development and it greatly influences who they become and how they behave once they reach adulthood. This is especially true when it comes to the relationships that adolescents are involved in. The individuals that surround the adolescent truly have an impact on that person and can mold them into who they will become later on in life, especially since adolescence is such a big time for transition. Those in relationship with the adolescent play a big role in the development and maturation of the adolescent. Friends and family might even have an impact on the path the adolescent will take in the future. Adolescents engage in relationships with parents, siblings, extended family, friends, peers, and romantic partners (OCC textbook).

What was the main problem or issue addressed in the movie Identity? Ten strangers arrive at an isolated location which is cut off from the rest of the world and are killed off by one by one. Malcolm whom is a serial killer, which tried telling people he doesn’t kill intentionally and that he has multiple personalities or a double identity. The movie basically took place in the killer’s head. The people at the motel was just aspects of his personalities.

As children, the idea of being an adult is exciting. There is more freedom, the ability to do more things, and to experience more as well. However, once the stage of adulthood is beginning, it is then realized that adulthood also comes with hardships and many more responsibilities. The years that one spends transitioning from an adolescent to an adult are years of discovering oneself. Music, literature and films are part of everyday life, which also influences one’s actions and behavior. Being able to relate to another through art ceases the feeling of loneliness that adolescents may feel. During adolescence, there are many first experiences that will shape a life, many of these experiences begin the process of becoming an adult. Adolescence

For Erikson (1950) adolescence is a period during which individuals seek to avoid dangers of role diffusion and identity confusion by establishing a sense of personal identity. Individuals have to find answers for two major questions “who am I?” and “what is my place in society?” Identity is a “conscious sense of individual uniqueness” and an “unconscious striving for a continuity of experience” (Erikson, 1968, p. 208).

Who are you? This question could be exceedingly intricate to answer if you were to ask an adolescent. Teens are experiencing countless changes in their development, which is why it is such a significant time for them. During this time teenagers develop their sense of self. Film has helped portray some of the changes that occur during this evolving developmental period. For this paper, I will be describing the differences between two adolescent films to depict differences in developing the self. Some differences I will cover include types of self, Erickson’s Identity Crisis, Marcia’s Identity Status Interview theory, and culture over time.(Arnett, 2013)

When thinking of a teenager some may think to describe them as awkward, hormonal, rebellious, identity-seeking, lost, impulsive, or lazy. These may all be true to some teens or not true at all to other teens. A person’s teen years are something they will be able to remember for their entire lives. For some, these years are their prime years, but for others it can be a challenging time with many ups and downs. Regardless, all people can agree that their teenage years are filled with confusing times but also lots of fun memories as young adults learning life lessons and figuring out the world and how it works.