Understanding identity development
By Jamianne Kruse
EDI 17 Psychology & Development of Adolescent Students
School of Education
Long Island University, C. W. Post
February 4, 2010
Today’s class dealt with the question, “who am I?” We began by writing a poem about ourselves and then relating it to James Marcia’s ideas of identity. According to Marcia, there are four different stages of finding oneself. Firstly, there is identity foreclosure, in which individuals are committed to a life direction or way of being without exploring it carefully and without experimenting with alternatives. Secondly, there is identity diffusion, in which individuals have no crisis, no commitment, and have little exploration/active consideration. Thirdly, there is identity moratorium, in which individuals actively explores roles and beliefs but refrains from making a commitment. Lastly, there is identity achieved in which the identity crisis is achieved and the commitment to the selected identity is high.
Personally, I believe that I fall into the category of identity achieved. For the first time in my life I feel confident and proud of what I am doing. I am determined to reach my goal and I look forward to all the challenges ahead of me. Also, personality wise, I’ve never felt so comfortable to be myself. I am who I am and people either like it or hate it. I don’t feel the need or pressure to change for anyone.
However, on the other hand, I discovered that my boyfriend falls into the category of identity diffusion. He has no crisis in his life, has no commitment, and goes through day by day with no initiative. Now, I’m beginning to see why we have been on two different pages for the past few months. I can’t change who he is and I’ve discovered that I can’t make him want anything more that he already does. Let’s just say our relationship has been taking a downward spiral and I’m not sure if there’s an up from here.
Long Island University, C. W. Post
February 4, 2010
Before I reflect upon today’s class, I would like to commend Dr. Boyanton on her thoughtful, engaging, and impactful lessons every class. I truly enjoy coming to class because every time I know that I am going to learn something new. Either learning something about myself, or about adolescents in general, every class is an adventure.
Today’s class dealt with the question, “who am I?” We began by writing a poem about ourselves and then relating it to James Marcia’s ideas of identity. According to Marcia, there are four different stages of finding oneself. Firstly, there is identity foreclosure, in which individuals are committed to a life direction or way of being without exploring it carefully and without experimenting with alternatives. Secondly, there is identity diffusion, in which individuals have no crisis, no commitment, and have little exploration/active consideration. Thirdly, there is identity moratorium, in which individuals actively explores roles and beliefs but refrains from making a commitment. Lastly, there is identity achieved in which the identity crisis is achieved and the commitment to the selected identity is high.
Personally, I believe that I fall into the category of identity achieved. For the first time in my life I feel confident and proud of what I am doing. I am determined to reach my goal and I look forward to all the challenges ahead of me. Also, personality wise, I’ve never felt so comfortable to be myself. I am who I am and people either like it or hate it. I don’t feel the need or pressure to change for anyone.
However, on the other hand, I discovered that my boyfriend falls into the category of identity diffusion. He has no crisis in his life, has no commitment, and goes through day by day with no initiative. Now, I’m beginning to see why we have been on two different pages for the past few months. I can’t change who he is and I’ve discovered that I can’t make him want anything more that he already does. Let’s just say our relationship has been taking a downward spiral and I’m not sure if there’s an up from here.
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