Identity Crises

Type of psychology: Developmental psychology
Fields of study: Adolescence; adulthood
Identity crises are the internal and external conflicts faced by the adolescent/young
adult when choosing an occupation and coming to terms with a basic ideology. Development
of a personal identity is a central component of psychosocial maturity.
Key concepts
• identity
• identity confusion/diffusion
• identity status
• negative identity
• psychosocial maturity
• psychosocial moratorium
Identity crises are an integral phase in human development. According to
ego psychologist Erik Erikson (1902-1994), successful resolution of the
identity crisis is contingent on the earlier resolution of the crises associated
with infancy and childhood, such as trust, autonomy, initiative, and industry.
Further, the extent to which the conflict surrounding identity is resolved
will influence how the individual will cope with the crises of adulthood.
According to Erikson’s model of the human life cycle, an identity crisis is
one of the psychosocial conflicts faced by the adolescent. In Erikson’s
model, which was published in the 1960’s, each age period is defined by a
certain type of psychosocial crisis. Adolescence is the life stage during which
acquiring an identity presents a major conflict. Failure to resolve the conflict
results in identity confusion/diffusion—that is, an inadequate sense of
self.
Identity implies an existential position, according to James Marcia, who
construes identity as a self-structure composed of one’s personal history, belief
system, and competencies. One’s perception of uniqueness is directly related
to the development of this self-structure. A somewhat similar position
has been taken by Jane Kroger, who views the identity crisis as a problem of
self-definition. The resulting identity is a balance between self and others.
Erikson defines identity as the belief that one’s past experiences and identity
will be confirmed in the future—as exemplified in the choice of a career.
Identity is a composite of one’s sexuality, physical makeup, vocation, and belief
system. Identity is the pulling together of who one is and who one can
become, which involves compositing one’s past, present, and future. It is a
synthesis of earlier identifications. Successfully resolving the identity crisis is
contingent on the interactions that the adolescent/young adult has with
others. Erikson contends that interacting with others provides the needed
feedback about who one is and who one ought to be. These interactions
with others enable the adolescent/young adult to gain a perspective of self that includes an evaluation of his or her physical and social self. Identity acquisition
is cognitive as well as social.