Question

IDENTITY AND INTIMACY: According to Erikson, the socioemotional challenges during adolescence and young adulthood include the development of identity and intimacy. Outline James Marcia's theory of identity formation, and describe TWO of the four identity classifications. Discuss how the development of Formal Operational Thought in adolescence and of Postformal thought in adulthood can contribute to solidifying a strong sense of identity. Provide TWO reasons for why research finds that loneliness is more common in adolescence and young adulthood. Describe THREE factors that increase the likelihood of attraction and the establishment of friendship. Discuss how friendships contribute to individuals’ well-being at each period of the lifespan (adolescence, young through middle adulthood, late adulthood).

Answer 1

Outline James Marcia's theory of identity formation
James Marcia is a Canadian Developmental Psychologist who proposed 4 stages of development in developing identity such as Foreclosure, Identity diffusion, Moratorium and Identity achievement
TWO of the four identity classifications
Moratorium is the third stage where people are not clear about what should be done as they are in identity crisis but explore alternative options actively. Identity achievement is the final stage where people define their identity and achieve it and this is going to last forever with minor deviations for few people as life progresses.
The development of Formal Operational Thought in adolescence and of Post-formal thought in adulthood can contribute to solidifying a strong sense of identity
Development happens gradually as each stage needs to be completed and attained successfully in order to achieve identity. The family, cultural and societal backgrounds play a major role in determining the identity and speeding up the process from formal operational stage to post-operational stage. Identifying one’s sexual orientation plays a vital role in solidifying how they will shape up later. Last but not least, the career option they choose or forced will have a dramatic effect in identifying one’s identity otherwise the person will have confusion.
Provide TWO reasons for why research finds that loneliness is more common in adolescence and young adulthood
Young adulthood is almost the late adolescent stage where people voluntarily withdraw themselves. Two primary reasons are,
They are getting close with an opposite sex where they develop a sense of intimacy. This is mostly voluntary.
They have lots of confusion about what they want, what they want to do and how will they lead their rest of the life because they will be at their school finishing stage.
THREE factors that increase the likelihood of attraction and the establishment of friendship
Birds of the same feather flock together, so people with same interest always become friends.
Neighbours are most probably to become friends
Helping someone in crisis will form friendship
Friendship contribute to individuals’ well-being at each period of the lifespan (adolescence, young through middle adulthood, late adulthood).
A friend in need is a friend indeed. There is age limit for everything, to become a parent, to attend the school etc. One thing that occurs throughout life is friendship. There is no age limit and there is no predefined circumstance for forming friendship, it just occurs. A good friend is a good counsellor, mentor and guide who will take one out of sadness into sea of happiness. Friendship is the only ship that doesn’t drown in times of storms. A person may not have any relationship in the world but he/she will definitely have a friend. One can share everything to a friend because friends are not judgemental, they accept one as they are. So, it is very important for us to have friends for a healthy life span.