A Sense of Identity Achieved Erikson: Identity vs. Role Confusion Adolescence Identity Crisis Moratorium Marcia’s Identity Statuses (next slide) Diffusion Foreclosure Achieved

Developmental Progress of Identity Formation Philip Meilman study Age 12-15: diffusion or foreclosure Age 18: moratorium 20% 18 year old; 40% college; slightly more than half of 24 year olds= Id achiev.

Influences on Identity Formation 1. Cognitive growth: formal operations 2. Relationships with parents Rejection, neglect: diffusion status Identification w/parents first helps Foreclosure: may not develop own ID Achieved more likely if living independently Moratorium, Identity Achieved Affection and freedom at home

Influences on Identity Formation Prior stage resolution Educational/work history Models/alternatives Personality traits Gender

Critique of Identity Status Model Validity/reliability of test instrument Replication Expand samples Cross-cultural Type model Timing in recent cohorts

The Self in a Cross-Cultural Perspective Culture Gender Age

Culture Collectivism vs. Individualism Collectivism define self as part of group welfare of group; goals social norms duties and obligations

Culture Individualism define self as separate from group personal goals welfare of individual internal processes

Implications for the Development of the Self Childrearing patterns Meaning of different aspects of the self Value systems, i.e. heroes Relationships vs. possessions Motives and behaviors

Men, Women and Identity Formation Gender: sociocultural aspects of being masculine or feminine Gender Identity: set by age three; acts as perceptual filter; expectations deeply ingrained; basis of stereotypes Real gender differences actually small

Gender Roles Female Expressive Role establish/maintain relationships nurturing, cooperation, sensitivity Male Instrumental Role goal/achievement oriented dominance, assertiveness, independence more valued role in society

Social Role Theory Contribution of biological factors minimal Roles learned through socialization Gender splitting

Evolutionary Psychology Natural selection Successful adaptation Cultural processes have coevolved Gender revolution

Prominence of the Male Model of Development Erikson, identity and females Female= deficient or deviant Contradiction- femininity and adulthood Strengths may be dysfunctional in our society

Identity Research and Women Content different while process similar Differences- sociocultural not capacities Foreclosure may = identity achievement Timing

Patterns of Age-Related Change in Adult Personality Declines in neuroticism, extroversion and openness Increase in agreeableness, conscientiousness Rate of change highest age 18-30 Older less: thrill seeking, cheerfulness, openness Older more: self-control, morally responsible, aware of social demands

Explanation of Age-Related Changes Cross-cultural findings suggest nature Advantages at different points in lifespan Orderly pattern to adult personality development regardless of place or time

Maintaining Continuity of the Self Most elders have positive sense of self Cognitive explanation Subjective age Patterns in subjective age Positive or negative subjective age

Causes of Low Self-Esteem in Late Adulthood If negative, unlikely to reverse Drop in self-esteem: loss of physical capacity or loss of control