What is identity diffusion adolescents?

It refers to a period when an individual does not have an established identity nor is actively searching for one. In other words, it’s a time when a person’s identity remains unresolved, yet there is no identity crisis (a process called an identity moratorium).

What are the 4 identity statuses in adolescence?

Marcia (1966) based his theory of adolescent identity development on Erikson’s (1950/1980) theory of psychosocial identity development and identified four identity statuses: identity diffusion, identity foreclosure, identity moratorium, and identity achievement.

What are the 4 stages of identity development?

Marcia’s four identity stages are diffusion (low exploration, low commitment), foreclosure (low exploration, high commitment), moratorium (high exploration, low commitment), and achievement (high exploration, high commitment).

What does Erikson mean by identity diffusion?

adolescent identity development
Identity diffusion occurs when an individual hasn’t committed to an identity and isn’t working to form one. Identity diffusion is one of four “identity statuses” developed by James Marcia in the 1960s. These identity statuses are an extension of Erik Erikson’s work on adolescent identity development.

When does identity confusion and diffusion take place?

Identity confusion/diffusion occurs when adolescents neither explore nor commit to any identities. Foreclosure occurs when an individual commits to an identity without exploring options. A moratorium is a state in which adolescents are actively exploring options but have not yet made commitments.

Which is the second identity status in adolescence?

The second identity status is the identity foreclosure status. This identity status represents a low degree of exploration but a high degree of commitment. At this identity status adolescents are not actively trying to determine what is important to them. They are not questioning the values and beliefs they have been taught.

What are the characteristics of prolonged diffusion in adolescence?

Characteristics associated with prolonged diffusion include low self-esteem, easily influenced by peers, lack of meaningful friendships, little commitment, or fortitude in activities or relationships, self-absorbed, and self-indulgent. Those in identity foreclosure have committed to an identity without having explored the options.

When is an adolescent in an identity moratorium?

Identity moratorium is the stage that in normal development tends to follow identity diffusion. The adolescent is in Moratorium when he has suffered an identity crisis but has not yet developed any commitments.