Warm up 12/7 Identity formation often requires an identity crisis. This may be something huge like a “faith crisis” or it may be something that seems less significant. –Describe one or more of your identity crisis moments. Think about a moment when you had to decide about something based on your personal beliefs, feelings etc.

Generation Y articles Find a partner. Compare notes about the articles that you read. –What is Generation Y? –What did the articles say about Generation Y? –Do you agree or disagree with them? Why?

Identity Development

I. Erikson Says that you develop in 8 stages –Each of the stages must be mastered before one can move on to another in order for healthy development to occur He feels the main task of adolescence is your search for identity –Who you are and what you stand for

II. Identity Development Erikson says to establish identity one must choose and develop a commitment to a particular role or occupation in life –Examples: Church, school, dance, athletics

III. Roles & Commitments To find one that is comfortable one needs to experiment with different options –Drama, sports, etc. In addition, the role you portray may be different with peers and parents –Is this hypocritical?

IV. Figure it out!!! Erikson says if you don’t figure it out this may cause you to be too overly dependant on others –Friends & parents

V. Identity Crisis This is the key aspect in identity development Identity Crisis is the turning point in a person’s development when they examine their values and make changes in their life role –Ex. Should I go to college? Where? What career is right for me? –This can be a very overwhelming feeling!!!

VI. Identity Crisis Is… Marcia says that adolescent identity crisis arises as teenagers face decisions about their future work, moral standards, religious commitments, or political orientation –There are 4 categories of identity status or reaction patterns You do not stay in one category You do not necessarily go through them in any order You move in and out of them in various stages of adolescence.

Marcia’s Four Stages Identity Moratorium Identity Foreclosure Identity Diffusion Identity Achievement

VII. Identity Moratorium Delay in making decisions about important questions Experiment with various alternatives Search for identity It is not unusual for middle adolescence to be exploring alternatives –Example: “I do not know what I want to do after high school so I’m going to apply for college and for jobs. Then I'll decide what I want to do.”

VIII. Identity Foreclosure Makes a commitment to shut out other possibilities –Often avoid identity crisis –Conforms to the norm Accepts identity and values from childhood Identifies with what others think is right Making plans without self-examination Inflexible Example: –“Everyone in my family goes into the military after college, so is that what I am going to do.”

IX. Identity Diffusion Making no commitment No soul searching at all Wandering without goals Becoming angry and rebellious –May reject social accepted beliefs –Example: “I really have no idea what I’ll do after high school…would everyone stop bugging me?”

X. Identity Achievement Coped with crisis and explored options Committing self to direction in life and occupation Finding own identity –Example: “ I’m going to start college in the fall. My parents wanted me to go into the family business after high school but I decides I really wanted to go to college and become a school teacher.

Most people don’t reach this category till after high school –It’s normal for even college age students to change their mind and change majors This just shows that they are actively exploring their options It is very common for one to adjust one’s personal goals and beliefs as they mature and view the world form a broader perspective.