Changing Identity in Adolescence through Adulthood
These examples show different individuals who have been characterized by our developmental psychologists to be in a specific identity stage. This is to help adolescents identify their identity stage and what it takes to have an identity achievement status.
Example 1: A recent high school graduate who has few friends and no real interests outside the music he listens to in his room all day. He shows no interest in making decisions for the future or finding a job.
- This individual is in diffusion identity which is characterized by a lack of interest and even avoidance of the future, with barely action taken to accomplish anything.
Example 2: A high school student who cannot make up her mind about her future; except that she
knows she wants to go to college. She also cannot decide what career path she wants to explore, varying from doctor to writer. Her appearance and fashion style often change on a whim.
- This girl would be classified as being in a moratorium identity status. This is characterized by the testing and evaluation of multiple paths and alternatives without deciding on one that they find pleasing.
Example 3: A college freshman is set on becoming a doctor, as his father and grandfather were both doctors and his mindset has never wavered from that career. He is sure this is his path, as it has been
since childhood.
-This freshman is in a foreclosure identity status which is characterized by a path or decision made by surrounding adults rather than the person's self-exploration.
Example 4: A recent college graduate, who had previously been undecided on her major, is now working toward her Ph.D. in psychology to work with troubled children. She found her calling working at different
facilities during her undergraduate program.
- This college graduate has finally reached achievement identity status. This is characterized as the stage where a person had made the decision for their future and is set on that goal after contemplation and exploration of their alternatives.
Example 1: A recent high school graduate who has few friends and no real interests outside the music he listens to in his room all day. He shows no interest in making decisions for the future or finding a job.
- This individual is in diffusion identity which is characterized by a lack of interest and even avoidance of the future, with barely action taken to accomplish anything.
Example 2: A high school student who cannot make up her mind about her future; except that she
knows she wants to go to college. She also cannot decide what career path she wants to explore, varying from doctor to writer. Her appearance and fashion style often change on a whim.
- This girl would be classified as being in a moratorium identity status. This is characterized by the testing and evaluation of multiple paths and alternatives without deciding on one that they find pleasing.
Example 3: A college freshman is set on becoming a doctor, as his father and grandfather were both doctors and his mindset has never wavered from that career. He is sure this is his path, as it has been
since childhood.
-This freshman is in a foreclosure identity status which is characterized by a path or decision made by surrounding adults rather than the person's self-exploration.
Example 4: A recent college graduate, who had previously been undecided on her major, is now working toward her Ph.D. in psychology to work with troubled children. She found her calling working at different
facilities during her undergraduate program.
- This college graduate has finally reached achievement identity status. This is characterized as the stage where a person had made the decision for their future and is set on that goal after contemplation and exploration of their alternatives.