Cross-sectional age changes in ego identity status during adolescence.

Abstract

Cross-sectional age changes in ego identity status during adolescence were investigated. Each subject was administered Marcia's identity status interview, which was extended to include questions about avocation and, for the older subjects, attitudes toward premarital sex. Significant increases were found in occupational commitment and crisis, religious crisis, political commitment and crisis, and sexual crisis. On overall identity status, there were large increases with age in the number of subjects in the achievement status and decreases in the number of subjects in the foreclosure and diffusion statuses. Contrary to expectation, sexual attitudes appeared to be related to identity formation for this sample of male subjects. Although there are numerous studies about identity formation, few deal with developmental aspects. This lack is noteworthy in light of Erikson's (1963) view that identity formation is a developmental task. This study was designed to investigate changes in ego identity status in males from early adolescence to young adulthood. In research by Marcia (1966) a classification of identity types was developed based on the presence of commitment and crisis in the areas of occupation, religion, and politics. Commitment is defined as a firm investment in one's views; crisis, as the process of rethinking one's position. Identity achievement status represents strong commitments resulting from rethinking one's views. Moratorium reflects crisis without firm commitments as yet. Foreclosure is a strong commitment to parental views without reconsideration of beliefs. Diffusion reflects an uncommitted state. Identity status ratings for each area and for overall identity are assigned based on a standardized interview. In previous research with college students, positive developmental changes have been found for occupation, but results have been mixed for religion and politics (Waterman, Geary, & Waterman, 1974; Waterman & Goldman, 1976; Waterman & Waterman, 1971). In a follow-up 6 years after college, Marcia (1976) found some backsliding on overall status from developmentally more mature or high-identity statuses (achievement and moratorium) to low-identity statuses (foreclosure and diffusion). Requests for reprints should be sent to Philip W. Meilman, who is now at the College of William and Mary, Williamsburg, Virginia 23185.