Many people use the term identity interchangeably with other terms such as character and personality. As a result, this person might experience role confusion if they struggle to fit the norms imposed upon them.
They may not be allowed to test behaviors or career paths often attributed to the opposite gender. Let’s assume a person comes of age in an environment where they are forced to fit in traditional gender roles. These experiences may lower their self-esteem and fulfillment in life. Not knowing who they are meant to be or what they really want in life, they may struggle to settle into a career path or have healthy relationships. A person with role confusion may feel unsure about themselves and how they fit in society. Simply, role confusion can be considered to be a lack of a solid identity. When they can’t complete this stage effectively, it leads to role confusion (Erikson, 1956). role confusion.” According to this notion, individuals form their identities after testing various roles, behaviors, and social strategies. As a result, these adolescents may not fully discover a sense of self or a life purpose for a while.Įrikson calls the adolescence stage of self-discovery “identity vs. For instance, some adolescents’ caregivers and social circumstances may restrict their abilities to experiment with different roles and identities. However, this identity formation process isn’t always as straightforward as it sounds. The explorations during adolescence are vital for the development of our identities. Video: Who Am I? A Philosophical Inquiry Here is a fun video that presents a philosophical view on identity and the complexity of a continued sense of self. Therefore, according to the famous psychologist Erik Erikson, this significant identity development during adolescence is essential for forming a solid self-concept and developing a direction in life (Erikson, 1956). Although adults continue to reassess their identities throughout their lives, the changes to their identities are relatively small. Hence, adolescents set out to discover their senses of self by experimenting with different roles and behaviors (Erikson, 1956). Yet, as individuals transition from childhood to adolescence, they start questioning who they are and how they fit in society. The seeds of identity are planted during a person’s childhood when their caregivers influence them the most. Moreover, identity has continuity, as one feels to be the same person over time despite many changes in their circumstances. In the most general sense, we can define identity as a person’s sense of self, established by their unique characteristics, affiliations, and social roles.
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