Unit 4 Flashcards
(55 cards)
What is identity crisis?
a temporary period of distress as young people experiment with alternatives before settling values and goals
What is the psychological conflict of identity crisis according to Erikson?
identity vs. role confusion
-> who am I?
What does the crisis resolve with?
identity achievement
-> reconsideration of goals and values of parents and culture
-> forging own identity
What is James Marcia’s theory?
identity development as a process of exploration followed by commitment
What is identity achievement in James Marcias theory?
commitment to values and goals AND period of exploration
-> hat alternativen explored jetzt committed to self-chosen goals
What is Identity moratorium in James Marcia’s theory?
Moratorium: delay or holding pattern
Exploration but without having reached commitment
-> process of exploring
What is Identity foreclosure in James Marcia’s theory?
Commitment in absence of exploration
-> accept a ready-made identity chosen for them by authority figures
What is Identity diffusion in James Marcia’s theory?
lack of both exploration and commitment
-> lacks clear direction: not committed to values and goals, and also not trying to reach them
According to James Marcia’s theory, does identity development follow a single path or many paths?
many paths
-> varies across people
What does identity formation usually involve?
exploring range of alternatives
-> making provisional commitments but changing if it doesn’t fit
What are the influences of Identity achievement, moratorium, foreclosure and diffusion each in relation to well-being?
- Identity achievement and moratorium: psychologically healthy routes to a mature self-definition
- Identity foreclosure and diffusion: maladaptive (long-term)
What are characteristics of Identity Moratorium?
at times anxious and depressed about finding commitments
-> active, information gathering cognitive style (for personal decisions and solving of problems)
-> ACHTUNG: if exploration becomes to overthinking (ruminative) - distress and poor adjustment
What are characteristics of Identity-achieved or exploring individuals?
higher self-esteem, more open to alternative ideas and values, more advanced in moral reasoning
what are some characteristics of Foreclosure?
offers sense of security, is a dogmatic, inflexible cognitive style
-> fear of rejection, or might join cults or extremist groups
What are characteristics of Diffusion?
least mature in identity development
-> diffuse-avoidant cognitive style (I don’t care attitude)
-> low in self-esteem and prone to depression
What is the self-concept in teenagers compared to those of younger children?
more complex
How do adolescents describe themselves?
in abstract descriptors that often are contradictory
What is a highly prominent dimension of who am I in the preteen and early teen years and becomes less dominant in late adolescence?
appearance
in adolescence: ideology and belief more important
How do most teenagers think of themselves by late adolescence?
in terms of enduring traits, beliefs, personal philosophy and moral standards
How does self-esteem develop in adolescence?
drops at beginning and then rises steadily
-> especially good feeling about peer relationships, physical appearance and athletic capabilities
What is linked to adjustment difficulties?
low self-esteem
What factors influence self-esteem how?
- authoritative parenting, encouragement from teachers: stable, favorable self-esteem
- critical and insulting parents: unstable, low self-esteem
- peer acceptance can have protective effect on self-esteem
What does development at adolescence strive for?
Autonomy
-> in emotional component and behavioral component
What increases during adolescence?
parent-child conflicts
-> especially between mothers and daughters
