Child and youth Identity theory final exam

April 21st 2026 @ 3pm

What are subsystems in a family system?

Smaller relationships within the family (e.g., parent–child, parent–parent) that interact and influence overall functioning.

What is interdependence in family systems?

Interdependence means all family relationships are connected and influence each other. For example, conflict between parents can affect their children’s emotions and behaviour.

What is disequilibrium?

Disequilibrium is a temporary imbalance in the family system caused by changes like puberty. For example, a teen’s push for independence can create tension as parents adjust.

What is equilibrium?

Equilibrium is a stable state in the family system reached after adjusting to changes. For example, a family may regain balance after adapting to a child’s growing independence.

What is reciprocity in parent adolescent relationships?

Reciprocity is mutual influence, where parents and adolescents affect each other’s behaviours and emotions. For example, a parent’s response to a teen’s struggles can shape the teen’s motivation and self-esteem.

What is parent adolescent conflict?

Parent–adolescent conflict is the increase in disagreements during adolescence due to biological, cognitive, and independence-related changes, such as teens wanting more freedom while parents struggle to adjust.

What is autonomy conflict?

Autonomy conflict occurs when parents and adolescents disagree over independence and decision-making, such as a teen wanting to stay out late while parents enforce a curfew.

What are biological and cognitive drivers of conflict?

Biological changes (like puberty) and cognitive changes (like improved reasoning) increase conflict, as adolescents form independent opinions and begin to challenge parental authority.

What is constructive conflict?

Constructive conflict is disagreement that supports growth in identity and thinking. For example, a values-based argument can lead to discussion that helps adolescents clarify their beliefs.

What is formal operational thinking?

Formal operational thinking is the ability to think abstractly and reason logically. For example, a teenager may use it to understand complex issues and participate in debates.

What is identity exploration?

Identity exploration is the process of questioning and testing beliefs, values, and life direction. Adolescents often try different roles in school, social settings, or hobbies to discover what fits them.

What is identity moratorium?

Identity moratorium is a period of active exploration without commitment, where adolescents try different identities, such as social groups or career paths, without deciding on one.

What is identity diffusion?

Identity diffusion is a lack of both exploration and commitment, where individuals have not considered their identity and tend to go along with others.

What is identity foreclosure?

Identity foreclosure occurs when someone commits to beliefs or values without exploring alternatives, often adopting those of parents or authority figures.

What is moderate conflict and identity development?

Moderate conflict in adolescence supports identity development by encouraging teens to assert themselves and negotiate their beliefs against parental expectations.

What is identity status theory (Marcia)?

Identity status theory explains identity development through four statuses—achievement, moratorium, foreclosure, and diffusion—based on levels of exploration and commitment.

What is emerging adulthood?

Emerging adulthood is the transitional stage between adolescence and adulthood marked by growing independence and continued identity exploration, often including experiences like living away from home.

What are Arnett’s five features of emerging adulthood?

Arnett’s five features of emerging adulthood are identity exploration, instability, self-focus, feeling in-between, and possibilities, highlighting the challenges and opportunities of this stage.

What is instability in emerging adulthood?

Instability is frequent change in areas like residence, relationships, and work during emerging adulthood, such as moving between jobs or living situations while figuring out long-term goals.

What does it mean to feel “in-between”?

Feeling “in-between” is the sense of not being fully an adult yet while no longer being an adolescent, such as young adults living at home while attending college.

What is friendship intimacy?

Friendship intimacy is deep emotional closeness and sharing that increases in adolescence, such as friends confiding secrets and supporting each other through challenges.

What are cliques?

Cliques are small, close-knit friendship groups with strong bonds and shared interests that shape social interactions and influence members’ identities.

What are crowds?

Crowds are large peer groups based on reputation and shared traits (e.g., “jocks” or “nerds”) that shape social identity within school hierarchies.

What is peer acceptance motivation?

Peer acceptance motivation is the desire to be liked and included by peers, which can lead adolescents to conform to group norms and social behaviours.

What are social contexts of identity?

Social contexts of identity are the environments—such as family, peers, school, and society—that shape and influence identity development and self-concept.

What is role experimentation?

Role experimentation is trying out different identities in social settings, such as changing fashion, behaviours, or group involvement, to explore what fits best.

What is authoritative parenting?

Authoritative parenting combines high expectations with high responsiveness, providing structure and support, and is linked to positive child development outcomes.

What is authoritarian parenting?

Authoritarian parenting is high in demandingness and low in responsiveness, with strict rules that children follow but often resulting in lower independence and self-esteem.

What is disengaged parenting?

Disengaged parenting is low in both demandingness and responsiveness, often involving neglect or emotional distance, which can negatively affect a child’s development.

How do friendships contribute to identity formation? JONES ET AL.

Friendships support identity formation by offering validation, feedback, and opportunities for self-exploration, helping individuals better understand themselves through social interaction.

What is a developmental systems perspective? KROGER (2007)

A developmental systems perspective sees development as shaped by continuous interactions between individuals and their environments over time, emphasizing that identity formation is dynamic and ongoing.

What is contextual influence on identity?

Contextual influence on identity refers to how social environments and relationships shape a person’s sense of self and development over time.

What is multi-context identity development?

Multi-context identity development means identity is shaped by multiple influences, including family, peers, and broader social environments, highlighting the complexity of identity formation.

What is sex?

Sex refers to biological traits used to classify individuals as male or female, including chromosomes, reproductive anatomy, and secondary sexual characteristics.

What is gender?

Gender refers to the social, cultural, and psychological roles, meanings, and expectations associated with being male or female, shaped by society.

What is gender identity?

Gender identity is a person’s internal sense of their gender, which may or may not align with their biological sex and is shaped by personal and social influences.

What is cisgender?

Gender identity aligns with sex assigned at birth.

What is transgender?

Gender identity differs from sex assigned at birth.

What is non-binary/genderqueer identity?

Identities not strictly male or female.

What is gender socialization?

Gender socialization is the process of learning gender roles from family, peers, school, and media, shaping how individuals understand identity and behaviour.

What is gender intensification hypothesis?

The gender intensification hypothesis suggests that pressure to conform to gender roles increases during adolescence, shaping self-perception and relationships.

What is intimacy vs isolation?

Intimacy vs isolation is Erikson’s stage in young adulthood focused on forming close relationships, where success leads to meaningful bonds and failure can lead to loneliness.

What is secure attachment?

Secure attachment is a style where individuals feel comfortable with closeness and independence, supporting healthier relationships and emotional stability.

What is preoccupied attachment?

Preoccupied attachment is a style marked by a strong need for closeness and fear of rejection, often leading to dependence on others for validation.

What is dismissing attachment?

Dismissing attachment is a style characterized by emotional distance and strong independence, often leading to avoidance of close relationships.

What is fearful attachment?

Fearful attachment involves wanting closeness but fearing rejection, leading to push–pull behaviour in relationships and difficulty trusting others.

What is an intimate relational style?

An intimate relational style focuses on deep, committed relationships with emotional support and mutual understanding.

What is a stereotypic style?

A stereotypic style involves superficial relationships with little emotional depth, often based on appearance or social status rather than intimacy.

What is the connection between identity and intimacy?

A strong sense of identity supports healthy relationships, as people with clearer self-concepts are better able to form meaningful connections.

What is the global model of childhood?

The global model of childhood sees childhood as a stage of innocence and dependence, emphasizing protection and education suited to children’s developmental needs.

What is the Enlightenment’s influence on childhood?

The Enlightenment emphasized protecting children and educating them separately from adults, supporting childhood as a distinct stage focused on learning and development.

What is globalization?

Globalization is the growing cultural and economic interconnectedness across the world, which influences local customs, identities, and relationships.

What is bicultural identity?

Bicultural identity is the integration of two cultural influences—often local and global—creating a blended identity shaped by multiple perspectives.

What is culture?

Culture refers to the shared values, beliefs, and practices of a group that shape individual behaviour and identity.

What is integration?

Integration is maintaining one’s original culture while also engaging in a new culture, balancing both cultural identities.

What is assimilation?

Assimilation is adopting a new culture while gradually losing aspects of the original culture, often occurring in immigrant experiences.

What is separation?

Separation is the choice to maintain only one’s original culture while avoiding or resisting influence from other cultures.

What is marginalization?

Marginalization is when individuals lose connection to both their original and new cultures, often leading to identity confusion and disconnection.

What is acculturative stress?

Acculturative stress is stress caused by conflicting cultural expectations during cultural transitions, which can negatively affect mental health.

What is ethnic identity?

Ethnic identity is a sense of belonging to an ethnic group, including shared traditions, values, and history.

What is ethnic identity achievement?

Ethnic identity achievement is a clear, confident sense of one’s ethnic identity developed through exploration and acceptance of cultural roots.

What is race?

Race is a socially constructed category based on physical traits that can influence social experiences and interactions.

What is racism?

Racism is a system of racial inequality that reinforces discrimination and bias against certain racial groups.

What is institutional racism?

Institutional racism is discrimination embedded in social institutions that affects the access, treatment, and opportunities of marginalized groups.

What is nigrescence?

Nigrescence is the process of developing a strong Black racial identity through understanding, exploration, and acceptance of cultural heritage.

What is resilience?

Resilience is the ability to adapt to and recover from adversity, demonstrating strength in the face of challenges.

Why is adulthood difficult to define?

Adulthood is difficult to define because it varies across biological, cultural, legal, and psychological factors, leading to different interpretations of the transition.

What is life course perspective?

The life course perspective sees development as ongoing transitions shaped by individual choices and social contexts over time.

What is a rite of passage?

A rite of passage is a cultural ceremony that marks the transition into adulthood through rituals and community recognition.

What is career consolidation?

Career consolidation is the development of a stable career identity through commitment to long-term professional goals and achievements.

What shapes adulthood transitions?

Adulthood transitions are shaped by work, relationships, biological changes, and broader societal influences.

What is ethnicity?

Ethnicity refers to shared culture, language, and traditions that shape group identity and social interactions.

What is institutional racism?

Institutional racism is systemic discrimination embedded in institutions that affects the opportunities and treatment of racial minorities.

What is gender socialization?

Gender socialization is the process of learning societal expectations for gender roles through influences such as family, peers, and media.

What is a non-linear transition?

A non-linear transition means life paths are flexible rather than fixed, with individuals reaching milestones or changing direction at different times.

What does Charlie being a “wallflower” mean?

Charlie being a “wallflower” means he is a passive observer in social situations due to trauma and insecurity, making it difficult for him to fully engage with others.

What is Charlie’s breakdown caused by?

Charlie’s breakdown is caused by repressed childhood trauma resurfacing, which affects his emotional stability and coping ability.

What does the tunnel symbolize?

The tunnel symbolizes transition, healing, and rebirth, representing Charlie’s movement through trauma toward self-awareness.

What is the message about trauma?

The message about trauma is that it can shape behaviour but can also be healed through support, awareness, and meaningful connections.

What is gender expression?

Gender expression is how a person presents their gender through appearance, behaviour, and roles, shaping how others perceive them.

What influences Charlie’s identity?

Charlie's identity is shaped by parental guidance, peer interactions, and his own evolving beliefs, illustrating the complexity of adolescent development.

What triggers ethnic identity development?

Experiences of discrimination or significant cultural exposure often trigger ethnic identity development, prompting individuals to explore their cultural background.

What connects all identity theories?

All identity theories emphasize that identity is shaped by various social and cultural influences, reflecting the interplay of personal and external factors.

What influences identity?

Identity is influenced by family dynamics, peer relationships, and cultural contexts, which shape self-perceptions and social roles.

What is gender pressure?

Gender pressure is the societal expectation to conform to traditional gender norms, which can influence identity and behaviour.

What is collectivism vs individualism?

Collectivism emphasizes group identity and obligations, while individualism prioritizes personal goals and independence, reflecting different cultural values.

What is identity development overall?

Identity development is a lifelong process shaped by social context, culture, and relationships, reflecting an evolving understanding of the self.

What is the key turning point in Part 4 of The Perks of Being a Wallflower?

The key turning point occurs when Charlie experiences a traumatic memory during an intimate moment with Sam, revealing childhood sexual abuse by Aunt Helen.

What is Charlie like before the traumatic reveal?

Quiet, observant (“wallflower”), socially connected but emotionally fragile, heavily dependent on Sam and Patrick for stability.

Why is Charlie’s friendship group important?

Charlie’s friendship group serves as his emotional anchor and substitute family system, providing him with support during a tumultuous time.

What psychological risk does Charlie show?

Charlie exhibits a blend of emotional overdependence, unresolved trauma, and weak coping mechanisms, heightening his psychological vulnerability.

What happens when Sam and Patrick graduate?

With Sam and Patrick’s graduation, Charlie loses his primary emotional support system, exacerbating his struggles with identity and stability.

Why is this important psychologically?

This loss psychologically triggers abandonment anxiety in Charlie, destabilizing his already fragile identity.

How does Charlie respond to losing support?

Charlie reacts by increasing his overthinking, social withdrawal, and emotional numbness, highlighting his lack of effective internal coping mechanisms.

Sam & Charlie Intimacy Scene: What happens in the “turning point” scene?

In this scene, Charlie and Sam become physically and romantically intimate, marking a pivotal moment in Charlie's emotional journey.

Sam & Charlie Intimacy Scene: Why is this moment critical?

This moment is critical because it activates repressed trauma from Charlie's past, triggering a flood of emotions.

Sam & Charlie Intimacy Scene: What does Charlie’s reaction (“freezing”) indicate?

Charlie’s reaction of 'freezing' indicates a trauma response, reflecting activation of his fight/flight/freeze system in response to overwhelming emotions.

What is revealed about Aunt Helen?

It is revealed that Aunt Helen sexually abused Charlie during his childhood, a traumatic experience that he had repressed.

Why did Charlie not remember this earlier? ( abuse)

Charlie’s lack of earlier memory can be attributed to repression, a defense mechanism that protects him from psychological pain.

Why does the memory return now? ( abuse)

The memory resurfaces due to intimacy acting as a trigger for the repressed trauma, revealing past harm.