Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 4, 2026
06:58
Behavioral Tasks for Examining Identity Recognition In Mice
Published on: February 7, 2025
1.3K
Ego identity formation in middle adolescence
1University of Nebraska at Omaha, Omaha, Nebraska.
Journal of Youth and Adolescence
|January 11, 2014
Summary
High-identity adolescents demonstrated better psychological adjustment and self-concept compared to low-identity peers. Parental socialization practices also differed, supporting Erikson
Area of Science:
- Developmental Psychology
- Adolescent Psychology
- Identity Formation
Background:
- Erikson's theory of ego identity development posits a critical stage during adolescence.
- Understanding the determinants of ego identity is crucial for adolescent psychological well-being.
- Previous research highlights the complexity of factors influencing identity formation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the assumed determinants of ego identity in high school adolescents.
- To examine the relationship between ego identity status and various psychological and social factors.
- To test the congruence of emerging sex differences with existing identity literature.
Main Methods:
- Utilized the Marcia Ego Identity Status Scale for assessing identity.
- Administered measures for sex-role identification, personality development, psychological functioning, self-concept, and parental socialization.
- Employed median split on identity scores for comparative analysis between high and low identity groups.
Main Results:
- Adolescents with high ego identity status showed significantly more positive scores in sex-role identification, personality development, psychological adjustment, and self-concept.
- Distinct differences in parental socialization practices were observed between high and low identity groups.
- Observed sex differences aligned with established findings in the ego identity literature.
Conclusions:
- The study provides empirical support for Erikson's theory of ego identity development.
- Positive psychological attributes and specific socialization experiences are associated with higher ego identity achievement.
- Findings underscore the multifaceted nature of identity formation during adolescence.
Related Concept Videos
01:17Erikson's Theory on Socioemotional Development during Adolescence
2.2K
Erik Erikson's fifth stage of psychosocial development, "identity versus role confusion," is crucial during adolescence (ages 12 to 18). In this stage, adolescents face the developmental task of forging a distinct personal identity, a process influenced by social, psychological, and biological changes typical of this period. Adolescents naturally explore different roles, behaviors, and ideologies as they navigate complex questions of self-concept, asking, "Who am I?" and "What is my place in...
2.2K
01:23Influence of Parents and Peers on Identity
824
Adolescence is a pivotal period of identity formation, during which individuals begin to answer questions central to their sense of self, such as "Who am I?" and "Who do I hope to become?" Both parents and peers play critical roles in guiding adolescents through this complex developmental phase.
Parental Influence on Identity Development
Parents serve as primary guides and managers in an adolescent's life, offering support instrumental in decision-making and personal growth....
Parental Influence on Identity Development
Parents serve as primary guides and managers in an adolescent's life, offering support instrumental in decision-making and personal growth....
824
03:00Self-Evaluation: Self-Enhancement and Self-Verification
4.7K
Social psychologists have documented that feeling good about ourselves and maintaining positive self-esteem is a powerful motivator of human behavior (Tavris & Aronson, 2008). In the United States, members of the predominant culture typically think very highly of themselves and view themselves as good people who are above average on many desirable traits (Ehrlinger, Gilovich, & Ross, 2005). Often, our behavior, attitudes, and beliefs are affected when we experience a threat to our...
4.7K
01:27Ethnic Identity within a Larger Culture
417
Adolescents from ethnic minority backgrounds face a multifaceted journey in forming their identities, shaped by the intersections of cultural expectations and personal exploration. For these adolescents, identity formation involves not only typical developmental challenges but also navigating the perceptions and attitudes of the majority culture. As they grow, adolescents in ethnic minority groups often become increasingly aware of stereotypes, social biases, and discrimination, all of which...
417
01:19Self-Concept
1.6K
Self-concept is the cognitive and emotional understanding individuals hold about their identity. It evolves through various developmental stages, beginning in infancy and maturing as children grow. This concept influences how individuals perceive their abilities, interact with others, and manage challenges throughout life.
Infancy and Emerging Recognition
During infancy, self-concept is virtually nonexistent. Babies do not distinguish themselves as separate entities and often mistake their...
Infancy and Emerging Recognition
During infancy, self-concept is virtually nonexistent. Babies do not distinguish themselves as separate entities and often mistake their...
1.6K
01:26Marcia's Theory of Identity Status
2.6K
James Marcia's identity status model provides a framework for understanding how adolescents navigate identity formation through varying degrees of exploration and commitment. Marcia's model builds on Erik Erikson's theories of psychosocial development, focusing specifically on how adolescents reconcile individual aspirations with societal expectations. His model describes identity formation as a dynamic process where adolescents move between different states depending on their level...
2.6K