Identity in Early Adolescence: A Developmental Perspective

Abstract

Ego identity status definitions with examples are elaborated upon with particular reference to early adolescents. Patterns of potential identity status change for this age group are discussed within the context of Waterman's developmental model. From the findings of seven separate studies employing the Ego Identity Status Interview with samples ranging from the 6th grade to college entrance, it appears that a substantial majority of early and mid-adolescents are either identity diffuse or foreclosed. However, some instances of the moratorium and identity achievement statuses were found to occur even at the 6th grade level. In line with Erikson's developmental theory, with increasing grade level, the frequency of identity achievers and moratoriums increased while the frequency of foreclosures and diffusions decreased. The use of age appropriate scoring criteria for studying identity formation is discussed.

Get full access to this article

View all access options for this article.

References

Archer, S. L. The lower age boundaries of identity development . Child Development, 1982, 53, 1551-1556.

Blyth, D. A. , Simmons, R. G. , Bulcroft, R. , Felt, D. , VanCleave, E. F. , & Bush, D. M. The effects of physical development on self-image and satisfaction with body image for early adolescent males. In R. G. Simmons (Ed.), Handbook of community and mental health (Vol. 2), Greenwich, Conn.: JAI Press, 1980.

Erikson, E. H. Identity: Youth and crisis. New York: Norton, 1968.

Grotevant, H. D. Personal communication, 1981.

Grotevant, H. D. , & Thorbecke, W. L. Sex differences in styles of occupational identity formation in late adolescence. Developmental Psychology, 1982, 18, 396-405.

Hamid, P. N. , & Wyllie, A. J.

What generation

gap? Adolescence, 1980, 15, 385-391.

Marcia, J. E. Development and validation of ego identity status . Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 1966, 3, 551-558.

Marcia, J. E. Identity six years after: A follow-up study . Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 1976, 5, 145-160.

Marcia, J. E. Identity in adolescence. In J. Adelson (Ed.), Handbook of adolescent psychology, New York: Wiley, 1980.

10.

Martorano, S. C. A developmental analysis of performance on Piaget's formal operational tasks . Developmental Psychology, 1977, 13, 666-672.

11.

Meilman, P. W. Cross-sectional age changes in ego identity during adolescence . Developmental Psychology, 1979, 15, 230-231.

12.

Moshman, D. Development of formal hypothesis-testing ability . Developmental Psychology, 1979, 15, 104-112.

13.

Petersen, A. C. The psychological significance of pubertal changes to adolescent girls . Paper presented at the meeting of the Society for Research in Child Development, San Francisco, 1979.

14.

Petersen, A. C. , & Taylor, B. The biological approach to adolescence: Biological change and psychological adaptation. In J. Adelson (Ed.), Handbook of adolescent psychology, New York: Wiley, 1980.

15.

Raphael, D. Identity status in high school females . Adolescence, 1978, 13, 627-642.

16.

Raphael, D. , & Xelowski, H. G. Identity status in high school students: Critique and a revised paradigm. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 1980, 9, 383-389.

17.

St. Clair, S. , & Day, H. D. Ego identity status and values among high school females. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 1979, 8, 317-326.

18.

Waterman, A. S. Ego identity status among married, adult women . Paper presented at the meeting of the Eastern Psychological Association, Hartford, Connecticut, 1980.

19.

Waterman, A. S. Identity development from adolescence to adulthood: An extension of theory and a review of research . Developmental Psychology, 1982, 18, 341-358.

20.

Waterman, A. S. , & Archer, S. Ego identity status and expressive writing among high school and college students. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 1979, 8, 327-342.

21.

Waterman, A. S. , & Goldman, J. A. A longitudinal study of ego identity development at a liberal arts college. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 1976, 5, 361-369.

22.

Waterman, A. S. , & Waterman, C. K. A longitudinal study of changes in ego identity status during the freshman year of college. Developmental Psychology, 1971, 5, 167-173.