Chapter 7 Erikson: Post-Freudian Theory 211look for new roles to help
them discover their sexual,
ideological, and occupa-
tional identities. In this
search, young people draw
from a variety of earlier
self-images that have been
accepted or rejected. Thus,
the seeds of identity begin
to sprout during infancy
and continue to grow
through childhood, the play
age, and the school age.
Then during adolescence,
identity strengthens into a
crisis as young people learn
to cope with the psychoso-
cial conflict of identity ver-
sus identity confusion.
A crisis should not
suggest a threat or catas-
trophe but rather “a turn-
ing point, a crucial period
of increased vulnerability
and heightened potential”
(Erikson, 1968, p. 96). An
identity crisis may last for
many years and can result
in either greater or lesser
ego strength.
According to Erikson (1982), identity emerges from two sources: (1) adoles-
cents’ affirmation or repudiation of childhood identifications, and (2) their historical
and social contexts, which encourage conformity to certain standards. Young people
frequently reject the standards of their elders, preferring instead the values of a peer
group or gang. In any event, the society in which they live plays a substantial role
in shaping their identity.
Identity is defined both positively and negatively, as adolescents are deciding
what they want to become and what they believe while also discovering what they
do not wish to be and what they do not believe. Often they must either repudiate
the values of parents or reject those of the peer group, a dilemma that may inten-
sify their identity confusion.
Identity confusion is a syndrome of problems that includes a divided self-
image, an inability to establish intimacy, a sense of time urgency, a lack of con-
centration on required tasks, and a rejection of family or community standards. As
with the other dystonic tendencies, some amount of identity confusion is both
normal and necessary. Young people must experience some doubt and confusion
about who they are before they can evolve a stable identity. They may leave home
Identity involves finding out which groups you belong to and
which you don’t. © fotostorm/Getty Images