Owning One's Story: Understanding and Strengthening the Self

Vocabulary flashcards covering developmental stages, identity statuses, and factors influencing growth from late adolescence to early adulthood based on the theories of Erikson, Marcia, and Havighurst.

Psychosocial Theory

A framework, such as the one by Erik Erikson, used to clarify how individuals navigate values, career choices, intimacy, and independence throughout maturation.

Adolescence (Erikson)

A stage occurring roughly from ages $12$ to $18$ characterized by the conflict of Identity vs. Role Confusion.

Late Adolescence

A phase from ages $16$-$18$ to the early $20\text{s}$ focused on exploring identity, gaining independence from family, and developing advanced cognitive abilities.

Early Adulthood

Typically in the $20\text{s}$, this stage is marked by identity consolidation, long-term relationships, career decisions, and achieving financial independence.

Young Adulthood (Erikson)

A stage spanning ages $18$ to $30$ where the primary task is Intimacy vs. Isolation, or forming deep, meaningful, and emotionally honest relationships.

Identity Diffusion

An identity status involving low commitment and low exploration, where the individual has not yet made decisions about values or career and is not actively seeking alternatives.

Identity Foreclosure

An identity status characterized by high commitment without exploration, such as adopting a career choice simply because it is expected by parents.

Identity Moratorium

An identity status referring to individuals with high exploration but low commitment who are actively questioning and exploring different identities.

Identity Achievement

An identity status occurring when an individual has explored alternatives and made commitments to specific values, beliefs, or goals, leading to a stable identity.

James Marcia (1966)

The researcher who identified four different identity statuses (Diffusion, Foreclosure, Moratorium, and Achievement) in establishing a stable identity.

Robert Havighurst (1972)

A theorist who outlined the developmental tasks of late adolescence, including developing emotional maturity and achieving independence.

Developmental Tasks

Specific milestones such as developing a positive self-concept, achieving independence from parents, and learning practical life skills for adulthood.

Protective Factors

Characteristics such as high self-esteem, strong family support, healthy habits, and access to mentors that help adolescents manage setbacks and challenges.

Risk Factors

Conditions like poverty, negative peer pressure, mental health issues, or exposure to violence that can harm an adolescent's development and raise stress levels.

Self-Efficacy

A protective psychological trait that helps adolescents maintain resilience when facing challenges.

Social Alienation

A potential outcome of failing to resolve the Intimacy vs. Isolation conflict in young adulthood, leading to emotional detachment or chronic loneliness.