Emotional Health Unit Topic 2 Identity

Brain Storm What does identity mean? What are the different parts of a person’s identity? How would you describe the identity of a teenager? Brain Storm

Identity Who you are Includes 4 parts Physical Traits Activities Social Connections Internal Thoughts/Feelings Identity

Physical Identity Gender Race Age Physical Characteristics Height Weight Hair Color Etc. Physical Identity

Active Identity Engagement in particular activities Hobbies Interests Examples Sports Music Community service Active Identity

Social Identity Group members Connection to other people Family members Friends Coworkers Group members Cultural Religious Clubs Teams Cliques Social Identity

Psychological Identity Internal thoughts and feelings Attitudes Personal values Goals/dreams Dislikes Personality traits Psychological Identity

Identity Formation Parts are developed at different ages Children: physical & active Early Adolescence: social Late Adolescence: psychological Role Models: people whose behavior you admire Strong influence on behavior Identity Formation

Who are your role models? Let’s Discuss

Gender Identity: a person’s biological sex and how it is expressed Gender Roles: “appropriate” attitudes and behaviors per gender Influenced by environment Androgynous: exhibiting both feminine and masculine traits Gender Stereotypes: culturally-defined assumptions about gender roles Gender Identity

Ethnicity: social group that shares cultural and/or national ties Components Traditions Language Religious practices Cultural values Ethnic Identity

Ethnic Identity Formation Emerges in 3 stages during adolescence (Phinney) Unexamined (Diffused) Ethnic Identity: teens do not think about the meaning of their ethnicity Identity Search/Moratorium: teens actively search for information about the meaning of their identity Achievement: teens feel secure in their sense of ethnic identity and find it personally important. Ethnic Identity Formation

Identity changes throughout the life stages

Setting goals that are particular to a life stage help a person feel good and maintain mental and emotional health Adolescence: Stage 5 (12-18 YO) Primary Goal: Identity formation Necessary for healthy relationships Period of exploration and testing Erikson’s Life Stages

Erikson’s Life Stages

Emotional & Social Changes Changes in emotions and social relationships are a normal part of adolescence Increased interest in dating relationships Desired increase of independence (from parents) Spending more time with friends/peers (vs family) Increased intensity of emotions Sadness & depression Emotional & Social Changes

Moral Development Determining which behavior is right/wrong Around 11 – 13 YO: abstract reasoning Ability to question rules & standards Teens often face difficult moral decisions Moral Development