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