Question

Compare and contrast Erikson's fifth stage of personality development and Marcia's theory on identity statuses. Which do you agree with and why?

Answer 1

Erikson's fifth stage refers to identity vs role confusion that occurs between 12 and 18 during the adolescent period. Some identify their life goals and their sexual orientation. Some achieve it while others struggle to cope and progress. James Marcia on the other hand introduced four stages in achieving identity. The first stage, identity diffusion refers to the individual's lack of direction or their unwillingness to make any choices. They haven't decided anything or don't want to decide. Adolescents in identity foreclosure do not do anything for themselves or on themselves, they just do whatever is asked to do by other in order to comply and conform to the rules and regulations or to satisfy whoever is concerned. Identity Moratorium refers to an adolescents willingness to choose options but they are under a crisis what to choose and how to go about it. During this stage the adolescents attain identity achievement. The difference is that Erikson briefed it in two levels whereas Marcia elaborated it in four stages. I agree with Marcia's four stages as they clearly state the different mindsets of the adolescents.

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