The adolescence is a period in human life span in which an individual faces developmental issues towards the transition from childhood to adulthood. Identity crystallization is one of the common issues in development of adolescents. Gecos and Burke define identity as” the meanings attached to the self by one’s self and others” (Michener, H.A et al, 2004). That is why they act differently to define themselves. Adolescence is the period when they will try to adopt different kind of personalities they think that is acceptable to the peer group or to the society. They value the recognition of others and worth themselves according to the society’s approval or affirmation. Though they seek the affirmation of others they also want to become who they …show more content…
The sexual and physical components of identity develop earliest, while moral and vocational characteristics develop gradually. Identity of an individual starts to develop in adolescence stage. In this stage, most of the adolescents are considered as risk takers. In connection to this, Erickson believed that adolescents undergo “psychosocial moratorium”. According to Erickson, “psychosocial moratorium is a socially sanctioned period between childhood and adulthood during which the individual is free to experiment to find a socially acceptable identity and role”. In addition to that, Erickson also stated that individual, who is in adolescence period, may stand back, analyze and experiment with various roles without assuming anyone …show more content…
Almost every household has its own television. Based on the sociology’s functionalist view, the function of mass media or television is to entertain. In this sociological view, mass media can also function as a way for socialization. It also enforces social norms, conform status, promote consumption, and keep the audience informed about the social environment (Schaefer, R., n.d.). Adolescents spend approximately 3 hours just for watching television a day. It just portray that there is ample time dedicated for watching television wherein the viewers are exposed to different kind of television acts. Exposure to this kind of television acts can affect an individual’s beliefs and values resulting in alteration of behavior. Based on the Cultivation theory, viewing behavior frequently could actually alter someone’s behavior by accepting the expressed action and idea portrayed in television programs. Thus, increase in exposure to different content of television programs can influence or even accept the idea being portrayed (Gruber, E and Thau, H., 2003). The decision-making of adolescents as well as it preferences can be influenced by television (Tahir, M. and Shafi, B., 2015). This idea or theory is supported by the Social learning theory of Albert Bandura. Social learning theory suggests that a behavior that was viewed can be adopted or observed from an individual if that behavior is rewarded and reinforced (Gruber,E, et al).
During this stage, Erikson believes that the individual’s successful identity formation relies on social, cognitive and physical maturation (Pittman, Keiley, Kerpelman, & Vaughn, 2011). The individual tries out different roles for who they see in themselves and who they portray to others, eventually committing to their own personal role and occupational choice. Pittman et al. (2011) describe the identity formation as “consisting of decisions, investments, and commitments tied to current and future roles, goals, and relationships.” Additional considerations for identity formation include the context of the culture which is available to the adolescent during this time. After successful resolution of this stage during adolescence, individuals will typically progress into Erikson’s Intimacy versus Isolation stage during young
Erickson’s Psychosocial Theory is comprised of eight developmental stages ranging throughout the lifespan from infancy to adulthood (Boyd, 2015). However, Erikson puts significant emphasis on the adolescent stage, feeling it is a crucial period for developing an individual’s identity (McLeod, 2013). Erikson maintains that the task of adolescence is to resolve this identity crisis (Rageliene, 2016). Erikson’s theory is hierarchical, meaning that later stages are based on the outcomes of earlier stages, therefor it is rather complex (Markstrom, 1998). During each of these stages, an
Biological influences combined with societal and social expectations contribute to how well people learn to adapt to their environments (2013). According to Erikson, there are eight stages of development. Within these states, there are different psychological, emotional and cognitive tasks. In order to adjust, individuals must learn to develop these tasks. During adolescence, Erikson states that each person needs to navigate through the development task of ‘‘Identity vs. Identity confusion ’’ (2013). He defined this task by stating that adolescent children must learn to develop a sense of self and establish independence. Prior to this stage of development, a person’s parents largely influence their identity. In this stage the adolescent children begin to explore and develop their identity outside of their parents’ influence (Hill, Bromell, Tyson, & Flint, 2007). Adolescents are generally more egocentric at this stage and have an increased sense of self-consciousness. They also have a strong desire to conform to peer influence and develop concerns regarding their appearance. They develop concern about their level of competence in relation to their peer group as well. As peer influence increases, during this stage, parental influence decreases (Ashford & LeCroy, 2013; Hill et. al, 2007). Conflict generally increases between parent and child at this stage of development (2007).
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
Lastly, we look at identity without knowing it adolescents are searching for the answers to the question, “who am I?”. Although this is an important part of development for this stage it didn’t just being in this stage nor do adolescents have the capability to figure it all out. While growing up children are pushed one way or another by parents and peers some are pushed towards academics while others athletics. But how influential are parents and peers?
Adolescence is a time when everything we've ever known is being changed. Relationships, friends, thoughts, and other things that shape who we are become more awkward and confusing and are changed from what they have been in the past. Consequently, we will change also because all these things shape who we are. During a period of such change, it's hard to know who we really are. Adolescence is the time when we find out who we truly are, but not until we know who we aren't. Adolescents use common words, actions, and rivalries to try to define their unique personalities, goals, and ideas. They label themselves in different ways, trying to find a single word that defines them entirely. Through this ongoing change of identity, adolescents fully realize who they are by trying on different identities until they find the one that fits them the best.
Social learning is a theory that can be used to explain the impact that television has on children. This theory is the method in which people obtain new information, form behavior, or attitudes from other people, meaning that children learn new information every time they watch a TV show and by what they learn is reflected on the way that they behave towards other people. Social Comparison Theory is when people compare themselves to others; comparison to others is highly informative. This theory can also be used to explain the impact that TV has on children because kids are more likely to act like their favorite character from a show rather then act as themselves. There have been many researches on the topic of children and the affects that television has on them. Researches state that the average eight year old will spend more then seven hours watching television and during those hours that kids are watching TV it is replacing other activities like doing homework, interacting with friends, and physical activity. Television is a good source to keep children occupied with informative shows as well as helps children discover more about themselves but this comes to a certain extent. If
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
Children in their adolescents years watch a great amount of TV each week and it is almost inevitable that they will start to be influenced by what they see on their television. They will see diffe...
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
Adolescence is a period of transition between the ages of 13 – 19, after childhood but before adulthood. Adolescence can be a difficult period in a teenager's life. Many teenagers do not know how to react or how to adapt to all of the physical, social, and psychological changes that occur during this period. Some adolescents pass through this period without problem, while for others, it is a period of torture, discomfort, and anxiety. With all the biological and social pressures that occur during adolescence, many teens fail to assume their identity. Sometimes family and society does not help to make this task easier. Challenges teenagers face due to biology and society are body image, hormonal changes, social and parental pressures, family problems, school pressures, alcohol, drug abuse, homosexuality, and suicide.
Jones, Cheryl. "Identity and Adolescents: How Adults Can Help." NCYL. N.p., n.d. Web. 5 May 2014. . fifth
Identity Moratorium – the adolescent is developing moral as well as occupational commitments; they are still in the midst of an identity crisis. They are beginning to commit to an identity, but are still developing it.
Transition and change are some of the most difficult obstacles for people to overcome. It is no surprise that adolescence, defined as the transition from childhood to adulthood, is full of obstacles (Feldman, 2012). During this time period, adolescents are neither adults nor children; they do not appear to belong in any stable group. However uncomfortable this may seem, it is also a fitting definition. For during the adolescent stage, adolescents face puberty, sexual curiosity, self-esteem issues, and doubts about their future (Feldman, 2012). Psychoanalyst Erik Erikson aptly argued that adolescents pass through the identity-versus-identity-confusion stage in which teenagers search for defining and unique characteristics about themselves (Feldman, 2012). When a teenager struggles with this stage, a crisis emerges in which they are unable to find an appropriate role in life, often acting out or pursuing dangerous behaviors (Feldman, 2012).
However, family upbringing itself influenced education, norms/cultural, environmental, social, economic and belongs to the family members. If the family provides a strict upbringing his will influence behavior. Adolescents will tend to be low and vice versa". Supported qualitative results which stated that the expectations of parents review their child to be given hope, and activities that support positive. Understanding of what an adolescent is experiencing when searching for identity, tend to be very easily unstable. Adolescents experience various emotional states. Nothing to worry about, but the adolescent may feel it is the most critical issue they are faced with in life. Erik Erikson begin this journey because of his own subjective experiences of feeling confused, and shameful, and deceived by his own parents. In search of his identity was the driving force of the Identity crisis concept. Each psychosocial stage of Erikson’s theory has played an intricate part of one’s life span. The fifth stage identity vs. role is one of the most crucial stages of life. The teen years are a time of personal exploration. The adolescent years are like exploratory surgery. Those who can successfully establish a healthy identity develop a sense of loyalty. Those who do not complete this stage well may be left feeling confused about their role and