Identity is a progressive development aspect in each and every individual across the lifespan. James Garcia is his advancement of Erikson’s concepts on identity did develop a theory with four statuses on identity. In his work he cites identity diffusion, foreclosure, and moratorium as well as identity achievement. It is important to state that according to the theory the stages follow after one another but at the same time it is vital to note that not all adolescents will religiously go through these stages as they are set out by the theory. The statuses may also not be uniform as identity at work may differ from that at church and as such an adolescent can have more than one status at any given time in their identity development.
Identity diffusion is all about lack of exploration and commitment to anything in life. Identity diffusion status is for the adolescent with no goal in life. The next status is foreclosure where the adolescent has a high commitment degree like does not question faith or any instructions given only that there is no exploration. It is all about accepting things as they are in one’s environment. The third status is moratorium where there is no commitment at all although exploration is on an all-time high. This is the stage where may adolescents have identity crisis as they lack the decision on the best value and beliefs to follow. At this stage, options are open for the adolescents and youths. The final stage is identity achievement where one exhibits high degree of commitment and exploration. At the achievement stage, the youths exude confidence and positivity in regards to their decisions.
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MAMA cycles always happen in life where one passes from moratorium to the identity achievement but again develops questions on the said identity thus going back to the moratorium stage thus creating a cycle. A good example of a MAMA cycle comes during political campaigns. This is when one decides to support a particular candidate and vouches for the said individual but again as the campaigns continue one starts to question the said leader making the person to backtrack on the support.
Ginzberg’s career choice theory is a theory that tries to explain how people make choices in regards to careers but the same theory has received criticism from many quarters with many stating that it is utterly simple. The oversimplification of the process and the fact that the research only did dwell with the middle socioeconomic sector thus failing to take into account the other socioeconomic classes. This then means that the theory overstates the choices that those on the lower socioeconomic cadre have which may not be the case in reality. The ages also in this theory are somehow too rigid and may not be in line with the seriousness that some people make in regards to careers upon completion of high school and other junior elementary institutions. It is also important to note that due to economic situations people may change careers even when at advanced age without prior plans.
