Identity StatusDescription 8 Identity-Diffusion status is a status that characterizes those who have neither explored the options, nor made a commitment to an identity.
The individual does not have firm commitments regarding the issues in question and is not making progress toward them. Those who persist in this identity may drift aimlessly with little connection to those around them or have little sense of purpose in life.
Identity-Foreclosure status is the status for those who have made a commitment to an identity without having explored the options.
The individual has not engaged in any identity experimentation and has established an identity based on the choices or values of others. Some parents may make these decisions for their children and do not grant the teen the opportunity to make choices. In other instances, teens may strongly identify with parents and others in their life and wish to follow in their footsteps.
Identity-Moratorium status is a status that describes those who are exploring in an attempt to establish an identity but have yet to have made any commitment.
The individual is exploring various choices but has not yet made a clear commitment to any of them. This can be an anxious and emotionally tense time period as the adolescent experiments with different roles and explores various beliefs. Nothing is certain and there are many questions, but few answers.
Identity-Achievement status refers to the status for those who, after exploration, have made a commitment.
The individual has attained a coherent and committed identity based on personal decisions. This is a long process and is not often achieved by the end of adolescence
Defining Identity
Identity is a new way of thinking about oneself that emerges during adolescence. Identity involves a sense of self-unity, accompanied by a feeling that the self has continuity over time. A firmly established identity also provides a sense of uniqueness as a person. According to Erikson's psychosocial model of development, identity must be perceived by the individual, but also recognized and confirmed by others. Thus, the process of establishing an identity involves "Integrating into a coherent whole one's past experiences, ongoing personal changes, and society's demands and expectations for one's future" (Sprinthall & Collins, 1984).James Marcia argued that identity could be viewed as a structure of beliefs, abilities and past experiences regarding the self. "The better developed this structure is, the more individuals appear to be of their own...strengths and weaknesses.... The less developed this structure is, the more confused individuals seem to be about their own distinctiveness from others and the more they have to rely on external sources to evaluate themselves." (Marcia, 1980, p. 159). Identity is a dynamic, not static psychological structure. The formation of identity in adolescence sets the stage for continual changes in the content of identity through the adult years.
Marcia's Identity Statuses
James Marcia refined and extended Erikson's work on identity. In Marcia's model, identity involves the adoption of 1) a sexual orientation, 2) a set of values and ideals and 3) a vocational direction. A well-developed identity gives on a sense of one's strengths, weaknesses, and individual uniqueness. A person with a less well-developed identity is not able to define his or her personal strengths and weaknesses, and does not have a well articulated sense of self.To better understand the identity formation process, Marcia conducted interviews with young people. He asked whether the participants in his study (1) had established a commitment to an occupation and ideology and (2) had experienced, or were presently experiencing, a decision making period (adolescent identity crisis). Marcia developed a framework for thinking about identity in terms of four identity statuses. It is important to note that these are NOT stages. Identity statuses should not be viewed as substages in a sequential or linear process.
Foreclosure
Diffusion
. The young person has not made a commitment, and may or may not have experienced an identity crisis. He or she appears to have given up any attempt to make the commitments needed for developing a clear sense of identity as Marcia defines the term.Moratorium
Achievement
. The individual has experienced an identity crisis and has made commitments necessary for building a sense of identity as described above.Created 6/7/02. Last update 6/7/02 / jka.