Identity Development Dr Lovemore Nyatanga

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Identity Development Dr Lovemore Nyatanga

• Lecture Learning Outcomes
• Define the concept of identity
• Outline how identity develops throughout life
• Outline discuss at least two theories of
  identity development
• Critically discuss at least three factors that
  influence identity development

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What is identity

• Individuality of the person.
• The personhood
• Relatively permanent traits shown in given
  situations (e.g in role identity mother)

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Personal Identity

• Construction of self through self knowledge
• Infants start without sense of self (Freud
  Piaget)
• Freudian symbiotic existence
• Piagetian object permanence
• Lewiss existential categorical self

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Identity development

• The process by which each person becomes the
  individual that he or she is.
• The conditions and explanations of the self as
  determined by biological psychological factors

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Ethnic identity Development

• The ability to identify ones own and others
  racial or ethnic group
• Awareness of the permanence of ethnic identities
• Beliefs and values associated with ethnic
  identity

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Identity studies

• Verna (1981) Social Distance Scale
• Pre-School Racial attitude Measure (PRAM)

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Identity development in adolescence

• Erik Eriksons major task of adolescence was
  constructed as identity v. identity diffusion
  (Who am I uniquely?)
• James Marcias theory documented stages
  proceeding on a continuum from foreclosure, to
  diffusion, to moratorium to identity
  achievement.
• Jane Loevingers theory of personality outlines
  the gradual internalization of external controls
  and the maturing conscience for the guidance of
  identity decisions.

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Individuality Identity Theory Josselson

• Individuation theory (Josselson 1980)
• The individuation theory suggests four related
  phases
• Differentiation Teenage recognition of
  separateness of own views, cultural parental
  views.
• Practice experimentation (14-15yrs) Tendency
  to deny need for caution (I know what I am
  doing).
• Rapprochement Compromise between autonomy
  dependence (challenge and conciliatory behaviour)
• Consolidation of self Crystallisation of sense
  of self-identity, autonomy, and interdependence.

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Ruthellen Josselson

• Parental fears of losing control influence
  sometimes fuels the identity crisis
• Individuation continues throughout adolescence

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Eriksons Theory

• Erikson (1963) emphasised the role of
  psycho-social moratorium (sometimes- identity
  crisis)
• Adolescent may show (cognitive dissonance)
  moratorium regarding social roles, values,
  commitment
• Moratorium involves experimentation (e.g
  adventure travels, trying different jobs
  academia
• Moratorium often leads to identity achievement
  commitment to social responsibilities.
• Better preparedness for the next stage (intimacy
  vs isolation)

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Outcome of Eriksons Identity Theory

• The theory focuses on the 5th stage of Eriksons
  epigenetic theory of development (identity Vs
  role confusion)
• Identity is positive outcome Role confusion is
  a negative outcome
• Role confusion is associated with delinquent and
  anti-social behaviour as well as infidelity or
  the inability to sustain loyalties and intimate
  relationships.

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Role Confusion/Diffusion

• Denotes the failure to achieve a relatively
  coherent and integrated sense of self
• Characteristics of role diffusion include
• avoidance of close relationships (unable to
  sustain intimate relationships). Often there is
  fear of being hurt or rejected. Sometimes reduced
  tolerance.
• diffusion of time perspective (out of step)
• diffusion of industry (unable to hold down a job)
• negative identity (moving against people)

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Marcias Research on Identity Status

• Based research on Eriksons theory
• Marcia interviewed students (18-22 years old)
• Standard questions (occupation, religion,
  politics, personal values
• His pattern coding revealed 4 categories as shown
  in next table
• Meaning of each of the 4 categories (see next
  slide)

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Identity Status Marcia (1967 1980)
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Recommended reading

• Seifert, Hoffnung Hoffnung (2001) Lifespan
  development (Chapter 11). This chapter discusses
  Josselsons theory, Erikson Marcias theories.
• Bee, H. (1998) Lifespan development (Chapter 6)
• Ruthellen Josselson http//wupa.wustl.edu/asmbly/
  bio/Josselson.html
• http//www.as.huji.ac.il/ruth.html