Identity vs. Role Confusion in Eriksons Theory

Identity vs. Role Confusion in Eriksons Theory Theories Psychosocial Psychology Print Identity vs. Role Confusion in Psychosocial Stage 5 By Kendra Cherry facebook twitter Kendra Cherry, MS, is an author, educational consultant, and speaker focused on helping students learn about psychology. Learn about our editorial policy Kendra Cherry Reviewed by Reviewed by Amy Morin, LCSW on July 01, 2019 facebook twitter instagram Amy Morin, LCSW, is a psychotherapist, author of the bestselling book 13 Things Mentally Strong People Dont Do, and a highly sought-after speaker. Learn about our Wellness Board Amy Morin, LCSW Updated on December 07, 2019 Psychosocial Development Overview Trust vs. Mistrust Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt Initiative vs. Guilt Industry vs. Inferiority Identity vs. Confusion Intimacy vs. Isolation Generativity vs. Stagnation Integrity vs. Despair Identity versus confusion is the fifth stage of ego according to psychologist  Erik Eriksons theory of psychosocial development. This stage occurs during adolescence between the ages of approximately 12 and 18. During this stage, adolescents explore their independence and develop a sense of self. Verywell / Nusha Ashjaee According to Erikson,  people progress through a series of stages as they grow and change throughout life. During each stage, people face a developmental conflict that must be resolved to successfully develop the primary virtue of that stage. He was  interested in how social interaction and relationships affect  development and growth. Overview Psychosocial Conflict: Identity Versus ConfusionMajor Question: Who am I?Basic Virtue: FidelityImportant Event(s): Social Relationships What Is Ego Identity? One of the main elements of Eriksons psychosocial stage theory is the development of  ego identity. It is the conscious sense of self that we develop through social interaction, which is  constantly changing due to new experiences and information we acquire in our daily interactions with others.   During the identity versus confusion stage, the conflict is centered on developing a personal identity. Successfully completing this stage leads to a strong sense of self that will remain throughout life. As they transition from childhood to adulthood, teens may begin to feel confused or insecure about themselves and how they fit into society. As they seek to establish a sense of self, teens may experiment with different roles, activities, and behaviors. According to Erikson, this is important to the process of forming a strong identity and developing a sense of direction in life. Development During the Adolescent Years Teen behavior often seems unpredictable and impulsive, but all of this is part of the process of finding a sense of personal identity. Parents and family members continue to exert an influence on how teens feel about themselves, but outside forces also become particularly important during this time. Friends, social groups, schoolmates, societal trends, and even popular culture all play a role in shaping and forming an identity. Those who receive proper encouragement and reinforcement through personal exploration will emerge from this stage with a strong sense of self and a feeling of independence and control. Those who remain unsure of their beliefs and desires will remain insecure and confused about themselves and the future. Resolving the crisis at this stage of development involves committing to a particular identity. This might involve committing to a career path, deciding what social groups to associate with and even developing a sense of personal style. Those who are successful develop fidelity, a psychological virtue characterized by the ability to relate to others and form genuine relationships.?? This ability plays an important role in the upcoming stage known as intimacy versus isolation. So, what happens to those who do not end up successfully forming an identity at this point in development? Kids who are not allowed to explore and test out different identities might be left with what Erikson referred to as role confusion. These individuals are not sure who they are or what they like. They tend to drift from one job or relationship to another, never really sure what they want to do with their lives. Instead of feeling a sense of personal cohesiveness, they are left feeling disappointed and confused about their place in life.