Erik Erikson believed that humans go through various stages in order to attain full development in life. These stages are important as they play an important role in developing our blueprint on how to live and express ourselves. This paper seeks to analyze the fifth stage of Erikson’s psychosocial development ‘identity versus role confusion’ and how it relates to identity formation among the adolescents. The adolescent stage is a paramount stage for every individual and can influence one for the rest of their lives. Teenagers at this stage are trying to create their own unique identities to fit into the society. However, their failure to have identities leads to role confusion. Therefore, ‘identity versus role confusion’ is a very important step for every adolescent and how they will live their lives in the future.
Identity versus Role confusion
Identity versus role confusion is the fifth stage of Erikson’s psychosocial development stages. It mainly deals with the adolescents ranging from 12-18 years. This is a very sensitive stage for the adolescents as they try their true identity. They will try a lot of various roles, beliefs, personal values and goals which provide them with different experiences. The stage of adolescence is a transition from childhood to adulthood. On the same note, teenagers are gradually becoming in control of their lives and start to reflect on their future regarding career, relationships, hobbies, and family, among many others. In other words, they are trying to find a way to fit in the society. Learning how to perform certain roles is at the core of adolescence. According to Erikson, the most common roles involves are occupational and sexual (1968). The teen struggles to find their identity; who they are and what they stand for. At the end of this stage, an individual should reflect their own identity and what one wants to become in the future.
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One’s identity can be formed through the outcomes of an individual’s exploration in various aspects such as career, further education, relationships, etc. however, in some cases, adolescents fail to establish their own identity which is usually a societal propelling force. This results in role confusion where an individual does not know what they want out of life. They might believe that they do not have a space in the society. Most adolescents who find themselves in identity crisis will aim to experiment with new lifestyles and way of doing things (Steinberg, 2007). Therefore, the persistent ones are likely to find their identity while the weak will resort to isolation and even suicide, in some rare instances. Erikson advises that trying out different things such as activities, behaviours, and activities can develop a formidable identity which eventually leads to the ultimate success of the individual.
Development during the adolescent years and its relation to identity formation
The world has been changing gradually thus influencing various stages of life such as adolescence. Typically, adolescence starts at the age of 12 and ends at the age of 20. At this age, the child has become more dependent because they are working or have already started a family. The modern world has been characterized by the slower maturity of young people. These individuals are noted to move from their original homes at a later time and continue to regularly check up on their parents. Therefore, the traditional adolescence stage can go all the way to the late twenties (Upreti, 2017). This stage is defined as increased growth; physically, emotionally and cognitively.
Adolescents face serious changes in their body especially with regards to reproductive organs. Apart from the physical aspect, complex thinking and reasoning patterns also befall the growing teenagers. This is what enables them to forge certain identities in order to fit in with the society. They are able to have important relationships which surpass their parents. These instances reveal a great control of their lives. On the other hand, these developments can appear stressful to certain adolescent kids. This is caused by the new interaction with people, increased responsibility, making their own decisions, etc. These developments also act as a guide in creating their own identities (Lynne et al. 2007). The identities can be a form of commitment such as job, music, sports, relationship or anything that fascinates the teen. Those who respond positively towards these changes will be able to become successful in various aspects of their lives (Steinberg, 2007). Social developments among adolescents have had serious negative impacts on these children. This has included the use of drugs or alcohol thus leading to addiction and brain damage.
Physical Development in adolescence
Sexual maturity is at the core of the inevitable adolescent process. Adolescence is marred with a lot of hormonal changes which alter the regular structure of the body. This stage kicks off when the adolescents start to produce testosterone for boys and estrogen for the ladies. These hormones trigger the rapid growth of major sex characteristics. The boys will experience a larger Adam’s apple, pubic hair, deeper voice, enlargement of the penis and testicles. On the other hand, the ladies are going to experience enlargement of breasts, hips, ovaries, uterus, among others (Upreti, 2017). Therefore, adolescence brings about a dramatic change in the sexual structure of these individuals.
Another common characteristic of adolescence is the menstrual cycle among the girls. This progress varies from person to person because it is influenced by factors such as diet and lifestyle. This is a very sensitive progress which young people go through, and it is likely to influence the formation of their identities. To start with, young boys who mature early may appear stronger and taller stronger thus becoming a heartthrob to many. These boys also become popular in school because of their fast maturity. However, research says that these boys are likely to be involved in antisocial behaviours as well as delinquency (Steinberg, 2007). These behaviours include alcohol abuse, drugs, truancy, among other non-productive activities. Young girls have been noted to be very stressed with the puberty process. Low self-esteem, increased depression and anxiety are issues that have been facing the young adolescents. This is as a result of increased teasing and sexual harassment.
To a larger extent, these physical changes going on an adolescent will have a major impact on how they form their identities. Tallness and strength have made young boys become close to girls. Also, their rapid growth of functional sexual part will influence how boys see girls. The same goes for the ladies who are normally teased or sexually harassed by men. Their identity can have a serious effect on how they create their own identity. The response to these physical changes is the most important which influences the identity of adolescents (Chen et al. 2007).
Cognitive development in adolescence
General body changes have been linked to normal human growth. Unused connections and neurons are cast away while new ones are formed. The prefrontal cortex grows rapidly as an individual grows throughout adolescence. This is the part of the brain where planning, reasoning and problem-solving aspects are developed. The development of prefrontal cortex has been found to very slower thus influencing certain characteristics among the young people (Goldberg, 2001). This has resulted to increased impulsive behaviours which is common among teenagers. Risky behaviours such as smoking, alcohol, drugs, unprotected sex, among others are the result of the slow growth of the prefrontal cortex. The minds of the adolescents have not yet matured enough to limit their emotions towards certain behaviours.
During the adolescent stage, teenagers tend to believe that they are better and know a lot of things. This is caused by the advanced growth of their cognitive abilities. Egocentrism becomes an important state which determines their direction of life. This feeling can be associated with a lot of negative activities exhibited by adolescents. Self-conscious makes the young generation trying to fit in as they believe that the society is watching them. Therefore, they have to develop a certain identity or way of life which gives them a role or part in the society. This is the most sensitive part of the entire growth changes in the adolescent period. Cognitive abilities are likely to influence thinking habits, perspective, attitude, behaviours and habits (Blakemore, 2008). It is no doubt that these abstract elements are very critical in developing a successful life. The teenagers tend to believe that they understand what is going on in their lives and that they do not require any guidance. Such notions can lead to disobedience at home and school thus leading to poor performance or dropping out. Therefore, the cognitive element is a very critical component in defining an adolescent’s identity.
Social development in adolescence
It is typical that a parent’s influence upon a child diminishes during the adolescence stage. This is because of the increasing development of self-concept and new relationships. Teenagers are forming new connections and attachment which are deeper than their relationship with their parents. Therefore, it becomes hard for a parent to have ultimate influence over their child at this stage. According to Guardia, all teenagers are striving to find a unique identity which will answer the question” who am I?” (2009). In this process, they are faced with failures in choosing identities, role confusion and constantly changing their identities in a bid to find one that represents their authentic values, beliefs and goals.
Lynne and her colleagues played a great contribution in revealing Marcia’s stages of identity development among the adolescents (2007). His first stage was known as the identity-diffusion status. In this light, the teenager is not committed to any issues that surround him and has less interest in developing his own unique identity. Secondly, the foreclosure stage was another paramount stage in identity formation among the young people. The adolescent has not pursued his path of finding any identity but rather has created an identity by using other people’s values, choices, experiences or beliefs. The next step developed by James is the moratorium status. The adolescent has been exploring various identities but has not been able to decide to commit to a given identity. Finally, identity-achievement status is where the adolescent has achieved a committed identity which has emerged from his personal decision and experiences.
The dire need for stable attachments apart from the parents has prompted adolescents to forge new social identities. Many paths are taken to arrive at the identity-achievement status by the young individual. An adolescent may adopt his father’s or best friend’s belief while staying open to new identities around them. Others may spend a lot of their time experimenting various experiences and explorations which finally leads them to choose a single identity which they can stick to it for the rest of their life. However, teenagers have tried everything possible to carve out a unique identity. For instance, an adolescent can have a different personality at home and switches it up to another one when in school. These are efforts taken by the individual to finding better possibilities. On a positive note, the integration enables them to come up with a unique and comfortable identity which improves their overall quality of life (Goosens et al. 2002).
Social influence has played a monumental role in helping adolescents with identity formation. Being a part of a certain group can help a teenager to identify with fellow members. Therefore, this group can influence the beliefs and values that will constitute his identity. Therefore, the influence that teenagers get from their social circles is adequate to inspire them to adopt a certain identity and fully committing to expressing it either at home or school (Schultz & Schultz, 2009).
The development of moral reasoning among adolescence
The issue of morality has played a huge factor in identity formation among the adolescents. The development of morality defines the values that teenagers stand thus influencing the identities which align with certain morals. Lawrence Kohlberg argued that active reasoning enables children to learn moral values which happen in various stages (1984). The stages of morality by Kohlberg are divided into three categories concerning age and moral stage. The first stage is for younger children who exhibit conventional morality. In this stage, these children strive more after rewards and shun away punishments. Therefore, the right thing to do is the one that brings rewards. Secondly, conventional morality is upheld by adolescents and most adults. This kind of morality focuses on the impacts of a given situation and how they influence others. These individuals will follow laws, regulation or societal norms to fit in the society. Finally, postconventional morality is common among adults. In this stage, individuals chose to justify morality according to their own chosen principles which are universal. They include equality, fairness, justice, dignity, among others.
Despite facing a lot of criticism, Kohlberg’s model of morality explains the moral development of individuals as they grow. During the adolescence, teenagers opt to follow general principles to decide what is right or wrong. This is another way of fitting into the society by upholding common laws and regulations. This helps them to carve out an identity which cares out situational impacts to themselves as well as others. As an adolescent, their identity should fit in the society thus making morality an inevitable aspect in their experimentation (Upreti, 2017). They value justice and the rights of other people. Their view of morality is that their activities or actions should not negatively influence others.
Conclusion
Summing up, Erikson’s fifth stage ‘identity versus role confusion is a very influential stage in every adolescent. In the end, two sole outcomes are realized; identity formation or role confusion. The transition to adulthood forces the teenager to find an identity which acts as a channel of expression. In other words, it acts as a blueprint towards an individual’s way of life. During this stage, the adolescent is influenced by various developments including physical, cognitive, social and morality. They act as the core pillars upon which their identity is formed. A lot of routes can be taken to achieve identity-achievement status. Most teenagers adopt the values and beliefs of other people to form their identities while others focus on exploring various possibilities. The most important thing to an adolescent is to come up with an identity. Otherwise, they are going to experience role confusion as they do not understand themselves in person and their role in the society. This process is very important to an adolescent as they learn important practices such as dependent thinking and reasoning.
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