Developing Ones Identity Is A Lifelong Process Sociology Essay

Developing Ones individualism Is A Lifelong Process Sociology testDeveloping hotshots identicalness is a lifelong process. The definition of ego- individuality, according to psychology is the conscious recognition of the self as having a unique identity. I chose to focus my research on the bea of teenage identity, or jejuneness between 12 and 19 years of age, because that is when so many broad decisions ar made that affect a persons life and the direction in which it is going.Upon my research, I collapse discover that this is an ever evolving theory. There is so often research and information on this picky subject, that it couldnt possibly be covered in one paper. Many of the theorists build on individuall(a)y other. Henri Tajfels a real endureer identity theory. Erik Eriksons theory of psycho favorable perplexment is one of the best-kn throw theories of individual(prenominal)ity (Cherry, 2012). And Urie Bronfenbrenner developed the ecological systems theory to explain how all(prenominal)thing in a child and the childs surround affects how children grow and develop. There argon many other theorist who pick out affected the way we look at identity as well. And at that place are many theorists in whom the above theorists have observed and construct upon. Eriksons theory has phase angles, much like Freud and Piaget. One theorist who elaborated on Eriksons theory was James Marcia.Tajfels research consisted of two laboratory experiments that focused on in- free radicals and out-groups to determine the discrimination of out-groups and the inherent self-esteem boost the participants received when they awarded their testify groups, even though they were anonymous, with the most money. He determined that there are three processes used to label others as us or them or in other words, in-groups and out-groups, and that these processes take place in a particular order. First is categorization. We categorize objects in order to understand and i dentify them, this includes our social environment. We find things out about ourselves according to the categories we belong to. The second percentage point is social identity. Once categorized to a group, each of us forms our identity base on our belonging to the group and create an emotional bond. From there, we hold fast our self-esteem to this group membership. The final put is social comparison. Once our group is formed and we have categorized ourselves, and developed an identity attached to that group, we tend to compare our group with other groups. Our self-esteem in wrapped up in this group, so we need to describe sure that we are viewed as favorable in the eyes of other groups. If we are non, then detestation and competition forms between groups to determine the better group or groups.Essentially, we are fighting for our identity. This is especially true for teenagers. There are so many groups that determine young peoples identity. Religion, race, gender, activities, etc. all round an important manipulation in how people define themselves.The next theorist is Erik Erikson. He based all of his work on case studies, and at times was criticized for his lose of formal research. Some felt that he lacked credibility because of his lack of research, whole Erikson based his stage-theory on what he had observed in his life as well as case studies. The development of ego identity is one of the main elements of Eriksons psychosocial stage theory. Ego identity is the idea that we develop a conscious wiz of self finished social interaction. Due to bare-assed information and experiences that we acquire every day during our social interactions with others, our ego identity is constantly changing. Erikson similarly felt that behaviors and actions were motivated by a palpate of competence. Erikson believed that each stage nates create competence or crisis, or a turning point in ones development. Each quantitative stage presents its own achievements a nd challenges. The stages are as follows, with a focus on identity element versus confusion, moreover because his theory is built on stages, it is important to mention the stages star up to the adolescent identity stage. The first is Trust vs. Mistrust, because an infant is entirely dependant on their caregiver, they build a nose out of trust if they are properly cared for, or mistrust if they are neglected, rejected, or abused. The second stage is Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt. This stage refers to potty training and food choice. When children successfully complete this stage they either sense secure and confident or inadequate or doubt themselves. The third stage is Initiative vs. Guilt. These are the preschool years when they begin to assert themselves and discover a mavin of entertain and power over others. If successful they feel capable, if they fail they feel that sense of self doubt and guilt. Stage four is Industry vs. Inferiority. A sense of pride begins to develop a s children recognize their accomplishments and abilities through their social interactions. When children are encouraged by their parents and teachers they develop a sense of competence and a belief in their abilities. This brings us to the stage of Identity vs. Confusion. This is the important stage, at least as far as we are concerned. During their adolescent years, children develop a sense of self by exploring their independence. There are some(prenominal) contributing factors to the formation of identity. As adolescents enter puberty their cognitive skills and personal abilities add-on. When teens become more independent they tend to get involved in more neighborhood, community and school activities. Erikson believed that these changes make adolescents begin to explore their upcoming jobs, their relationships and their beliefs. According to Erikson, identity has been formed when a person bed evaluate themselves and their environment and links them together expressively. When a person struggles with this identity link, that is when the issues of function confusion occurs. Role confusion causes an individual to question their characteristics, their sense of self and their perceptions of others. Due to changing physical, cognitive, and social factors, nearly all adolescents experience some form of role confusion (Kroger, 2004, as quoted by Sokol, 2009).Identity helps each of us to find our place in the world. It provides us with a sense of belonging, a sense of self, and gives us each a sense of direction. Identity is what makes us move in a particular direction. Identity is what gives us reason to be. Erikson clearly believed that having a solid sense of identity is critical to further development. Without a true sense of identity, adolescents tend to choose a lifestyle that has negative consequences, because they lack self respect or feel that they dont deserve a better life.The theorist James Marcia, based on Eriksons theory, developed four Identity Statuses of psychological identity. His main idea is that personal choices and their social committednesss determine ones identity. It is important to clarify that these are NOT stages, but statuses that tummy happen in any order or not at all. Marcias four statuses are, first, Identity Diffusion, this is when an adolescent doesnt feel like they have a choice in things pertaining to themselves, when in reality, they fairish havent made one, or is not willing at that time to make a commitment to one choice or another. Second, is Identity Foreclosure, this is when an adolescent is willing to fit others by committing to plastered roles, values, or plans for the future. This is not an identity crisis these individuals are just choosing to conform to what others want for them. The third status is Identity Moratorium, which is when the adolescent is in a crisis, this is when an adolescent is ready to make a choice, but has not committed to any of those choices yet. The final status i s Identity Achievement, this is when an adolescent has deceased through an identity crisis and has committed to a choice and developed a sense of identity based on that choice.We have all experienced this in our lives. There is not a single adult that can honestly say that they went through their entire youth knowing but who they were and who they were going to become. It is a process, a learning curve. I daily trade filled with action and reaction. Every day teenagers, and adults, have to reevaluate certain aspects of their identity bases on what works and what doesnt work.Our final theorist is Bronfenbrenner, his theory is that every aspect of life, every little piece of our existence affects who we are. We are each in the middle of a giant circle. Directly around us is our microsystem, this entails our families, school, everything we see and deal with daily. Next is the exosystem, this is the pieces of ones life out of their direct range, such as parents work place, extended family, neighborhoods, etc. The final circle is the macrosystem, this is where civilization and attitudes come into play, for example, war, the economy, and government. Although these things are outside the individuals personal circle, they are still affectional in molding and shaping adolescent identity.To sum up all of the research and theories above, it is safe to say that every facet of ones life has an match on a persons identity in one way or another. through with(predicate) their upbringing, culture, social roles, and environment, adolescents develop their identity. They learn to rely on those they can trust and build perceptions about the things that they know and the things that they dont know. Their cognitive abilities have reached a point in the adolescent years where they can determine for themselves their own paths based on their own views and opinions, even though much of their concept processes are affected by the values that have been instilled in them. Parents and caregivers play a tremendous role on religion, social status, environment, education and future. Teachers also play a role in the development of a teenagers identity. Through the use of clear expectations and positive praise, a teacher can increase their students self-esteem. They also have the ability to encourage positive group choices through group projects and student awareness. Teachers are also powerful role models and can create a muscular learning environment that encourages cognitive maturement and can increase the desire for students to pursue higher education. Teachers can make a difference in their students lives and help them develop a strong sense of self and identity. The most important thing a teacher can do is to know their students.ResourcesCherry, K (2012). Stages of psychosocialdevelopment Psychosocial development inpreschool, middle Childhood, andadolescence. Retrieved from http//psychology. about.com/od/ psychosocialtheories/a/psychosocial_2.htmFeinstein, S. (2007). Teaching the at-risk teenage brain. Retrieved from http//chapters. scarecrowpress.com/15/788/1578866 464ch1.pdfGilgun, J (1993). Erik erikson and the use of case studies. Retrieved from (function() var scribd = document.createElement(script) scribd.type = text/javascript scribd.async = true scribd.src = https//www.scribd.com/javascripts/embed_code/inject.js var s = document.getElementsByTagName(script)0 s.parentNode.insertBefore(scribd, s) )() Marcia, J. E., (1966), learning and validation of ego identity status, journal ofPersonality and Social psychology 3, pp. 551-558. Retrieved from http//iws2.collin.edu/lstern/JamesMarcia.pdfMcLeod, S. A. (2008). Social identity theory. Retrieved from http//www.simplypsychology.org/social-identity-theory.htmlSokol, Justin T. (2009) Identity Development Throughout the Lifetime An Examination ofEriksonian Theory, Graduate Journal of Counseling Psychology Vol. 1 Iss. 2, Article14. Retrieved from http//epublications . marquette.edu/gjcp/vol1/iss2/14Tahfel, H. (1970). Experiments in intergroup discrimination. Scientific American, 223,96-102 Retrieved from http//www.holah.karoo.net/tajfestudy.htmWoolfolk, a., Perry, N. (2012). Child and adolescent development. Upper Saddle River, NJPearson Education Inc.