Student Development Theory 101: A Hatchling Named Marcia
James Marcia was the first known psychologist to focus solely on identity development in young adults. Marcia viewed there being two critical variables in identity formation:
EXPLORATION - involves the questioning of values & goals defined by parents & weighing those against various identity alternatives. Individuals on this path often seek out others with whom they trust to explore these options free from judgement or ridicule. Often faced with excitement at the onset, but may lead to fear or anxiety as identity remains in constant state of instability.
In many ways Marcia’s ego identity statuses are a periscope vision of Erikson’s fifth stage of identity development. As we explore these four statuses, think about where you are at in your identification of self, and think about what you need or use to help progress you to a more advanced or suitable status.
Identity 1: Foreclosure (No Exploration/Commitment)
Often in result of being raised in a homogeneous environment or fear of changing direction will lead to no purpose in life. This state exists usually as long as the authoritative influences stay consistent. First-year students are often in a state of foreclosure, they often face the challenge of adapting to change without the presence of accepted authority. These students typically follow the rules, maintain conventional relationships and typically demonstrate inflexible thinking. It is likely most students are found in this status as it is most common and occurs before all other statuses.
Identity 2: Moratorium (Crisis/No Commitment)
Individuals actively question the values under which they were raised, but there is a lack of commitment to any one system of values. They face a crisis shifting between indecisiveness and ambivalence toward authority on one hand and creative expression and engagement on the other. Individuals remain in this status for the shortest length, exhibiting a high degree of moral sensitivity (deciphering right from wrong) and are the most engaging. These individuals likely move into identity achievement before long.
Identity 3: Identity Achievement (Crisis/Commitment)
Follows a period of immersed crisis in which individuals soul search for the person they wish to be, developing firm commitments to goals and values they consider beyond important. Individuals in this status typically seek out further crises so as to subject their strong foundation to the possibilities of alternative views. Those in this status will often pursue considerable risk-taking behaviour. Conclusions and choices are made with ease as individuals can articulate their thought process with others. Individuals in this status are viewed as the healthiest psychologically, often relying on an internal process to construct their identity.
Identity 4: Diffusion (No Crisis/No Commitment)
Individuals with this identity fit into the “go with the flow" identity; refusing to or are unable to commit to goal or value. Those with this status often conform to the norm, have difficulty with intimate partners and lack cognitive complexity in arriving at conclusions. The biggest issue these individuals face is that they sacrifice their own internal authority for external authority, being open to follow suit with poor choices made by their peers in the interest of acceptance.
Marcia concludes his theory by considering three identity lenses.
1) structural - this is often a classification of identity based on age or some any other empirical based measurement
2) phenomological - the extent for which one’s identity is shaped by others vs. one’s self
3) behavioural - how other’s view a person’s identity as demonstrated by their behaviour
