Module 3 Part 3: Identity
Self, Identity, and Religious/Spiritual Development in Adolescence
Self-Identity: Adolescents explore different roles and ideas to develop a sense of self. Erikson termed this stage as "identity vs. role confusion."
Religious/Spiritual Development: Many adolescents explore their beliefs and values, often questioning or reaffirming their religious or spiritual beliefs.
Ethnic identity is an individual's sense of belonging to a particular ethnic group, including the attitudes and feelings associated with that group.
Example: A person may express pride in their heritage and participate in cultural traditions.
Identity achievement is the status of having explored and committed to a specific identity in various life domains, such as career and personal values.
Example: An individual who has chosen a career path after considering various options and feels confident in their choice.
Identity diffusion is a status where an individual has not yet explored or committed to any particular identity.
Example: A teenager who has not considered their future career or personal values.
Identity foreclosure occurs when an individual commits to an identity without exploring other options.
Example: Someone who adopts their parents' career choice without considering other possibilities.
Identity moratorium is a status where an individual is actively exploring different identities but has not yet made a commitment.
Example: A college student who is undecided about their major and is taking various courses to explore their interests.
In developmental psychology, egocentrism refers to the inability of a child to see a situation from another person's point of view. According to Piaget, this is a key characteristic of the preoperational stage of cognitive development.
Example: A young child may cover their eyes and believe that because they cannot see others, others cannot see them.
Service learning is an educational approach that combines community service with academic learning, emphasizing reflection and personal growth.
Example: Students might participate in a community clean-up project and then reflect on the environmental impact and social responsibility.
Hypothetical-deductive reasoning involves the ability to develop hypotheses and systematically deduce the best strategy to solve problems, typically developing during the formal operational stage of cognitive development.
Example: A teenager uses hypothetical-deductive reasoning when they consider multiple variables to determine the best solution to a math problem.
The imaginary audience is a cognitive distortion where adolescents believe that they are the center of attention and that others are constantly watching and evaluating them.
Example: A teenager may feel self-conscious and assume everyone is noticing their new hairstyle.
The personal fable is an adolescent's belief that they are unique and invulnerable, often leading to risky behaviors.
Example: A teenager may believe that they are immune to the dangers of drinking and driving.
The top-dog phenomenon refers to the transition from being the oldest and most experienced students in one educational setting to being the youngest and least experienced in a new setting.
Example: Moving from middle school to high school can be a top-dog phenomenon experience.