PS276 Chapter 8: RESEARCH ON IDENTITY DEVELOPMENT
Document Summary
Identity tatus refers to point in identity development process that characterizes an individual at a given time. Exploration in depth (making commitment to an identity and then exploring one"s options) and exploration in breadth (exploring options and then making further commitment) Others see it as dynamic process where individuals move back and forth. Individuals in midst of moratorium score highest in anxiety and show highest levels of conflict over issues of authority. Foreclosed individuals are most authoritarian and prejudiced, have highest need for social approval and lowest level of autonomy, and are closest to their parents. Individuals in identity diffusion display highest level of psychological and interpersonal problems; socially withdrawan and show lowest level of intimacy w peers. Informational orientation: actively seek info and approach identity decisions w open mind, characteristic of identity achievers. Normative: attempt to conform to family and social expectations/get identity decisions over with quickly, characteristic of individuals who are identity foreclosed.
