Adulthood Part B – Identity & Career Development Vocabulary

Vocabulary flashcards summarizing key terms on identity formation, gender, ethnicity, motivation, and modern career dynamics from the lecture.

Body Theory

Philosophical view that personal identity endures because we inhabit the same physical body from birth to death.

Memory Theory (Locke)

Idea that identity persists through chains of connected memories that a person can recall.

Identity vs. Role Confusion Stage

Erikson’s fifth psychosocial stage (adolescence–emerging adulthood) focused on developing a firm sense of self.

Identity Status Model (Marcia)

Framework dividing identity development into four statuses based on exploration and commitment levels.

Identity Achievement

Status marked by high exploration and high commitment; linked to high self-esteem and clear life goals.

Moratorium

Status of high exploration but low commitment; active searching that can feel exciting yet anxiety-provoking.

Foreclosure

Status of high commitment with little or no exploration; adopting roles or beliefs without questioning them.

Identity Diffusion

Status low in both exploration and commitment; drifting without goals and often tied to maladaptive outcomes.

Moratorium-in-Depth

Process of intensively evaluating a chosen path to confirm it is the right long-term identity or career fit.

Ethnic Identity

Sense of belonging to an ethnic group, including shared culture, values and attitudes; buffers stress and discrimination.

Gender Role Identity

Psychological sense of one’s gendered qualities and roles, understood as socially constructed rather than strictly biological.

Androgynous

Gender-role type high in both traditionally masculine and feminine traits; associated with higher self-esteem.

Vocational Identity

Aspect of identity centered on career goals, interests and talents; often the main focus during emerging adulthood.

Boundaryless Career

Modern pattern of frequent job changes across organizations or fields rather than one lifelong position.

Flow

State of total absorption in an activity where skill and challenge are well matched; signals potential career fit.

Intrinsic Motivation

Drive to engage in an activity for its inherent satisfaction rather than external rewards.

Intrinsic Career Rewards

Fulfillment gained from the work itself, such as meaning, interest or personal growth.

Extrinsic Career Rewards

External benefits of work, including salary, prestige or job security.

Personality–Career Fit (Holland)

Concept that career satisfaction rises when job environment matches one of six personality types (RIASEC).

Holland’s Career Inventory

Assessment tool designed to identify an individual’s optimal career environments based on personality type.

Role Overload

Job stressor arising from having too many tasks or responsibilities to handle effectively.

Role Conflict

Tension caused by incompatible demands between work roles and other life roles such as family.

Role Ambiguity

Stressful situation in which job duties and expectations are unclear or undefined.

Emerging Adulthood

Developmental period (late teens to late 20s) marked by exploration before full adult commitments.

Boundaryless Career Risks

Increased job insecurity and need for continual skill updating due to outsourcing and globalization trends.

Apprenticeship Model (German Plan)

System in which young people enter structured training programs that guarantee employment upon completion.

Memory Chain

Series of interconnected memories that, according to Locke, link present self with past experiences.

Identity Buffer Effect

Protective impact of strong ethnic identity against discrimination-related stress and academic difficulties.