Identity development is a topic that has been studied for some time. There are two main ways to address it: as young children who are just developing an identity and as adults who are changing or developing an identity they never created or did not like as a child. Each person, as he or she grows, develops a distinct and separate identity from other people (Willemsen & Waterman, 1991). While an individual may change over time, there is a part of that person's identity that generally remains the same as it was when it was first developed. The creation of an identity helps to define a person to others, but it also works to define an individual to himself or herself. Everyone has likely heard people say that they need to "find themselves," and that is part of the development and exploration of identity. The identity of a person can be something very personal and "human," or it can also refer to how a person is seen by others - such as with a professional reputation or notoriety. Both areas are part of a person's identity.
There are several parts to a person's identity. One is the sense of uniqueness he or she feels when compared to others (Steinberg, 2008). That uniqueness is very important to many people, because it is what sets them apart from everyone else and gives them a sense of self. Additionally, though, there are other parts to the identity of a person. These include the sense of continuity and the sense of affiliation (Willemsen & Waterman, 1991). In short, people want to belong to a group and also want to be different and separate from that group. These same people also want to see and feel a continuation of their identity as they move through life. They need to know "who they are," and they will not know that if their identity continues to change. Developmental psychology is a large part of the development of a personal identity. In fact, a large number of theories in the psychological realm focus on the sense of self and how it can be better developed in order for the person to be mentally happy and healthy throughout life. This can be a very difficult thing for some people to achieve.
The changes that take place in a person and his or her identity development generally come in stages (Grotevant, 1997). These stages are very important, and they can also overlap with one another in addition to being addressed separately. In most people, each stage is clear and distinct. In some people, the stages move from one to another very fluidly, so that there seems to be an overlap that is seen in between the stages. Both are viable ways for the individual to change and grow through the various stages of identity development. When discussing the development of identity and the stages through which a person goes, another thing that affects the understanding of identity development is the individual theorist who is discussing the issue. Some say there are many stages, and others say there are only a few. There is no right or wrong answer, necessarily, because each person will have an experience that is both similar to others and unique, at the same time. These experiences are likely not thought of in stages by the person going through them, so the stages have relevance only to the psychological theories and studies that are undertaken, and not to the individual.
The concept of self is one of the most important issues for development where identity is concerned (Goossens, 2008). As young children, an understanding develops that a person is different from others. Babies do not have that realization that they are not separate and distinct entities. They are not yet aware enough to realize that. However, younger children begin to realize some form of autonomy, and that they are not simply an extension of everything else. They have an identity that is all their own, and they should be encouraged to develop that. If they do not develop their own identities early in life, they can grow up codependent and struggling to make their own way in life (Steinberg, 2008; Willemsen & Waterman, 1991). They look for external validation from others and a sense of connectedness with the world, instead of taking the time to understand that they can be validated internally by their own self-worth. Having an identity that is strong enough to be completely separate from others is something...
Racial Ethnic Identity Sometimes fiction echoes real life, and that can become a powerful influential force on how culture is defined and molded through the participation of the arts with real life. This can be seen in the case of examining both a theoretical and fictional presumption of modern culture and identity. Joane Nagel presents a thesis that ethnicity and culture are fluid, being pliable based on the conditions both within
Racial and Ethnic Identity Development As correctly pointed out by W.E.B du Bois, the first African-American to earn a Ph.D. degree at Harvard, the biggest problem that the twentieth century is facing is racial in nature. There is hatred found in the hearts of people especially students belonging to different race and culture. Each perceives another to be a threat to its cultural roots and identity. This gives rise to conflict
S. citizens of Mexican descent were blamed for social and economic problems and harassed and deported en masse (Background on Discrimination against Immigrants, n.d). Recently, people of Arab descent are experiencing an upsurge in hate crime, largely as a result of the Middle East crises and the happenings of September 11th. Too often they are blamed for events to which they have no connection. "The hate crimes following September 11th, which
Racism Psychology The diverse nature of the world we live in provides both a source of inspiration and challenge. The challenging aspects of diversity are heightened within a counseling environment where the crossroads of identity and culture meet and intersect. To be successful in any counseling attempt the psychic power of empathy must be employed in order to reach out and communicate to the one seeking help. The concept of the self
This week's additional readings resonated for me that for many the unequal distribution of wealth and assets can take away healthy opportunities to make these contributions and can turn into feelings of hopelessness, depression, violence, as well as self-destructive tendencies. In a society that is as wealthy as Austraila, it is still amazing that so many individuals experience feelings of deprivation and poverty. Sociology and Health I enjoyed reading about health
In this sense, "During the 1950s and 1960s, especially after the falling-out between China and the former Soviet Union, the Chinese government actively relocated Han Chinese to frontier provinces such as Xinjiang, Inner Mongolia, and Heilongjiang, in order to consolidate the border in light of possible military threat from the Soviets" . Therefore, the decision to intervene in the ethnic composition of the region was not only a choice related
Our semester plans gives you unlimited, unrestricted access to our entire library of resources —writing tools, guides, example essays, tutorials, class notes, and more.
Get Started Now