Identity crisis during adolescence

Identity is a new way of thinking about oneself that emerges during adolescence. It involves a sense of self-unity, accompanied by a feeling that the self has continuity over time. Identity achievement during adolescence serves as a basis for adult expectations and goals. As individuals enter early adulthood they use their current understanding of whom they are to develop a lifespan construct.

The process of identity development begins with children’s awareness that they are separate and unique individuals. Erikson was the first major psychological theorist to develop the notion of an adolescent identity crisis. To develop a sense of identity amidst the confusion, adolescents need to try their identity on a variety of roles and must often test extremes before settling on a considered course. With their sense of Identity in flux, teens will often turn to peer groups for the missing sense of belonging. This explains some of the cult-like tendencies amongst early adolescents to worship the same heroes, according to the author. The process of separation from parents is a natural one. At this stage adolescents often reject their parents, and all that they stand for is that they can make a clean break from childhood as they attempt to form an identity of their own. Erikson was the first major psychological theorist to develop the notion of an adolescent identity crisis. To develop a sense of identity, adolescents need to try their identity on a variety of roles. With their sense of Identity in flux, teens will often turn to peer groups for the missing sense of belonging. At this stage adolescents often reject their parents, and all that they stand for.

Erikson’s interest in identity began in childhood. According to Erikson, identity is an intense analysis and exploration of different ways of looking at oneself. Identity achievement during adolescence serves as a basis for our adult expectations and goals. Eriks on identity as a subjective sense as well as an observable quality of personal sameness and continuity.