Identity Development
“Who are you?” said the Caterpillar.Alice replied rather shyly, “I—I hardly know, Sir, just at present—at least I know who I was when I got up this morning, but I must have changed several times since then.”
— Lewis Carroll, English Writer, 19th Century
“Who are you?” said the Caterpillar.Alice replied rather shyly, “I—I hardly know, Sir, just at present—at least I know who I was when I got up this morning, but I must have changed several times since then.”
— Lewis Carroll, English Writer, 19th Century
Self Understanding
The adolescent’s cognitive representation of the self
The substance and content of the adolescent’s self-conceptions
Dimensions of Self-Understanding
Abstraction and Idealism
Differentiation
Fluctuating
Contradictions
Real vs. Ideal; True vs. False
Dimensions of Self-Understanding
Social Comparison
Self-Consciousness
Self-Integration
Self-Understanding & Social Contexts
Adolescent’s self-portraits can differ depending on whether they are with their mother, father, close friend, romantic partner, or peerThey also can differ depending on whether the adolescent is in the role of student, athlete or employee
Self-Esteem and Self-Concept
What are Self-Esteem and Self-Concept?– Self-esteem – Global evaluative dimension– Self-concept – Domain-specific evaluation
How are They Measured?– Harter’s Self-Perception Profile for
Adolescents
Self-Esteem and Self-Concept
Does Self-Esteem Change During Adolescence?
Is Self-Esteem Linked to Success in School and Initiative?
Are Some Domains More Closely Linked to Self-Esteem Than Others?
Self-Esteem and Self-Concept
Correlations Between Global Self-Esteem and Domains of Competence
Fig. 5.3
Self-EsteemParenting attributes associated with boys’ high self-esteem
– Expression of affection– Concern about the boys’ problems– Harmony in the home– Participation in joint family activities– Availability to give competent, organized help when
the boys needed it– Setting clear and fair rules– Abiding by the rules– Allowing the boys freedom within well-prescribed
limits
Consequences of Low Self-Esteem
For most adolescents, the emotional discomfort of low self-esteem is temporary
In some adolescents, low self-esteem can develop into other problems:– Depression– Suicide– Anorexia– Delinquency
Increasing Adolescents’ Self-Esteem
1. Identify the causes of low self-esteem and the domains of competence important to the self
2. Provide emotional support and social approval
3. Foster achievement
4. Help adolescents to cope
Identity
Erikson
– Identity vs. Identity Confusion– Personality and Role Experimentation– Some Contemporary Thoughts
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Four Identity StatusesMarcia’s Four Statuses of Identity
Fig. 5.4
Developmental Changes
Family Influences– Individuality:
• Consists of (1) self-assertion, ability to have and communicate a point of view; and (2) separateness, expressing how one is different from others
– Connectedness:• Consists of (1) mutuality, sensitivity to and
respect for others’ views; and (2) permeability, openness to others’ views
Cultural and Ethnic Identity
Defining and Exploring Ethnic Identity
Contexts of Ethnic Identity Development
Erikson
Males oriented toward career and ideological commitments
Females oriented around marriage and childbearing.
Gender and Identity Development
Gender and Identity Development
As females have developed stronger vocational interests, these gender differences are disappearing
What is Gender?
Sex– Biological dimension of being male or female
Gender– Sociocultural and psychological dimensions of
being male or female
Gender Roles– Expectations prescribing how females and
males should think, act, and feel
Social Influences on Gender
Parental Influences
Siblings
Peers
Schools and Teachers
Mass-Media Influences
Cognitive Influences on Gender
Cognitive Developmental Theory of Gender– Children’s gender-typing occurs after they
have developed a concept of gender– Once children think of themselves as male
or female, they organize their world on the basis of gender
Cognitive Influences on Gender
Gender Schema Theory
– Gender-typing emerges as individuals gradually develop gender schemas of what is gender-appropriate and gender-inappropriate in their culture