This essay aims to outline findings from Social Psychology experiments and one other approach that would support the above claim. Firstly, Erikson’s psychosocial theory through the eight stages approach is discussed in relation to the above claim. Secondly Tajfel et al’s (1971) social psychological experiments are examined in relationship to the concept of Social Identity Theory (S.I.T);
Erikson’s theory claimed that people formed their identity through different cultures, communities and historical time periods. He also observed that our personality identity development can be affected through families and communities. Therefore, Erikson viewed identity as both personal and social and argued that both were interlinked to build a core identity. Erikson considered that stability and an appreciation of who we are is necessary to develop a healthy core, in his words ‘ego identity’ in order to have a stable future. He also considered identity development to be a life time process.
Erikson’s identified ‘eight stages’ through which identity is developed from infanthood to late adulthood. Each stage develops from the previous foundation. Erikson considered the 5th Adolescence stage as one of the most important. This stage is where many young adults experience an identity crisis. This occurs because they are trying to pursue some independence from their parents whilst remaining financially and emotionally dependent. They attempt to pursue their independence by seeking employment, trying new relationships and generally trying to fit into a particular social group. Sometimes this may lead to over identifying with groups because of the need to belong. The over identification can lead to intolerance and aggression towards those that are...
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...h biases of minimal differences rather than major inequality’s.
To summarise Erikson supports this claim but his focus is mostly on the process of creating identity through identifying with similar types of people. He was interested in how adolescents go through ‘identity crisis’ to create (ego identity) or how failure to accomplish a secure ego leads to role diffusion.
Tajfel however takes this process a step further by discussing intergroup discrimination through social comparisons between different groups. If our self –esteem is to be upheld then our group must compare positively with the out –groups. He attempted to find the minimal conditions that would lead members of an in- group to discriminate against an out group therefore the pursuit for individuality means that people identities with who they are through terms of ‘we’’ rather than ‘I’.
The psychosocial stage represented by adolescence, as we can see from Erikson’s model, is the resolution of the conflicts raised by the profusion of role changes in adolescent life. Healthy resolution of these conflicts would mean that the person would be able to adjust to the changing role demands of the period of adolescence while still retaining a strong sense of their own lasting personal identity. If the increasing role demands of adolescence placed too great a stress on the individual, then identity diffusion would result. This means that the individual would become confused about who they were, in view of all the different roles which they seem to be acting
On a more refined level of Erikson’s theories, James Marcia’s four levels of ego identity are observed. The four stages are; Identity confusion, when there is not crisis or active commitments; foreclosure, still no crisis but starting to form beliefs, goals and values; moratorium, active crisis and actively trying to seek a way to resolve crisis, and finally, identity achievement; one has gone through and resolved crisis, and now has firm beliefs and
He named this stage of development, identity vs. role confusion. At this age children explore their individuality and independence. They develop a sense of who they are and where they belong. Those adolescents who are given proper encouragement and reinforcements at this stage of development, will develop a sturdy sense of identity and also a feeling of individuality. Those adolescents who continue to be uncertain of themselves and their wishes will feel unconfident and uncertain about themselves and their future. Adolescents who complete this stage successfully will lead to a strong dependability, which Erikson defined as being capable to live by the world standards and
Looking at my life through Erik Erikson’s Identity Theory perspective, I hope that I can grow old and enter the final stage of psychosocial development with a sense of fulfillment and satisfaction, believing I have coped with life’s victories and failures.
Tajifel, H. a. (1986). The social identity theory of inter-group behavior. Psychology of Intergroup Relations. Retrieved from http://www.jstor.org/stable/258189
This period is marked by physical, social, moral and emotional development (Davies, Hartdegen, Haxell, Le Geyt & Mercier, 2012). It is a time when the adolescent’s sense of self or identity is becoming much more clear and they are beginning to understand their role in society, starting to question the morals of others and contemplating their own moral and ethical beliefs (Davies et al., 2012). During this time Erik Erikson believed that adolescents are faced with the psychosocial stage of identity versus role confusion (Berk, 2008). Adolescents explore their values and role in society, overcoming this conflict to better understand their own identity, however if they do not fully overcome this conflict, Erikson believed that the adolescent would be confused about their values and future adult roles (Berk, 2008). This conflict was clearly demonstrated in my own development during the late teenage years when I experienced both the results of failing to overcome and then overcoming Erikson’s fifth psychosocial stage. At age eighteen I finished secondary school and began my tertiary studies, I had been accepted into the degree I had wanted to study since middle childhood, however I quickly learnt that I was enjoying neither my studies nor my experience of life in halls of residence. I discontinued my studies after only
In this crisis, the boy would have to balance between developing a unique and individual identity while still being in a position to fit in, accepted or have a sense of belonging to a certain group. However, it is important for the individual to determine who they want to be in their life and the manner in which others would perceive them. According to Erikson, if an individual manages to navigate through this stage successfully they would emerge with the best understanding of their identity from a personal perspective in which they will also share with others. Therefore, the individual would be referred to have a life that is well adjusted or healthy. At the same time, the individual would be in a better position to associate freely with others, as they would not lose their own
Social comparison and positive distinctiveness. Our social identity contributes to our self-image so we look for positive social identities to keep a high self-esteem. Comparing in groups and out groups allows us to enhance superiority of a group. The Social identity theory explains that the in group will discriminate against the out group to en...
In all aspects of their lives we associate with various groups, for example demographic, cultural or peer groups. Social Identity theory developed by Henri Tajfel in 1979 explains how people develop a sense of belonging and membership in particular groups. This theory explains behaviors in terms of social groups, we form social groups and create perceptions of others and ourselves that are influenced by the various groups to which we belong. A social group is a set of individuals who hold a common social identification or view themselves as members of the same social category (Chen & Li, 2009). Individuals can have multiple, co-occurring identities which could vary. This paper aims to explain how the Social Identity theory is used to explain violence and prejudice behavior and it also looks at the advantages and disadvantages of this theory compared to other theories in explaining the same behavior.
Adolescence refers to the transition period experienced by children that occur between childhood and adulthood (Shefer, 2011). Identity is first confronted in adolescence between the ages 12 – 19 years old, because of physical and hormonal changes in the body. It is also due to the introduction of formal operations in cognitive development and societal expectation that this contributes to an individual’s identity to be explored and established (McAdams, 2009). The forces within and outside (family, community) the individual that promote identity development usually create a sense of tension. The basic task is, in Erikson’s terms, “fidelity or truthfulness and consistency to one’s core self or faith in one’s ideology” (Fleming, 2004: 9), in a nutshell: "Who am I and where am I
DeCuir-Gunby (2009) states that identity is “a formation process begins at birth, peaks during adolescence, and continues to develop throughout adulthood, thus allowing an individual to fully negotiate multiple identities.” During adolescence, the peak of identity development, it is the most judgemental and children
Erik Erikson developed eight stages of psychosocial development (Gordon & Browne, 2014). Each stage was characterized by an emotional challenge and the stages built upon previous experiences (Gordon & Browne, 2014). His stages of development gave us the term identity crisis which describes
In this paper I will be focusing on Erikson’s Theory mainly about identity versus role confusion. Finding one’s identity is not always an easy task. Everyone at some point in his or her life has had, as Erikson puts it, an identity crisis. Everyone experiences different struggles that can have either a positive or negative impact on their identity. On my path to identity, I have reached identity achievement, which means I have explored and made commitments. I will also be focusing on two articles highlighting a fifth possible outcome regarding identity and looking at identity statuses as developmental trajectories.
In conclusion, the formation of one’s identity has many components. Beginning at the onset of adolescence and continuing to expand, grow and form and reform as we live through the struggles or success of life. Many theorists have endeavored to clarify the development of identity formation. However, Erik Erickson offered one significant theory involving the formation of one’s identity. Expounding on Erickson theory, Marcia developed his Identity Status Model according to the existence or absence of crisis and commitments. These four statuses, diffusion, foreclosure, moratorium and achievement can combine in various ways to produce a self. One’s sense of identity is determined largely by the choices and commitments made, therefore, having a well-developed sense of self can provide an individual with insight to their strengths, weaknesses, and individual uniqueness. An individual that finds themselves
In Erikson’s Identity vs. Role Confusion stage, I thought, “Who am I?” countless times like many other adolescents. I occupied much of my time trying to construct a firm identity of myself, which I now realized did more harm than good. Letting myself explore different interests would have helped me find my identity than me trying to fake some firm identity.