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Self-Theorists, Identity Status, and Social Cognition

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Book cover Self, Ego, and Identity

Abstract

Erikson’s (1959, 1968) theory of personality provides the context for most recent work on identity formation. The extent to which identity research actually is based on Erikson’s theoretical views is at least questionable, as Looft (1973) noted:

Erikson’s concepts are being operationalized and tested by increasing numbers of researchers…. Most typically, however, any mention of Erikson’s theory in research reports is to be found in the “Discussion” section; it is used as a sort of after-the-fact framework in which to discuss data already obtained. (pp. 40–41)

Looft was referring specifically to the utilization of Marcia’s (1966) identity-status approach. The status paradigm continues to be the most prevalent means of operationalizing identity formation (Berzonsky, 1981; Bourne, 1978; Marcia, 1980; Waterman, 1982) and it continues to be criticized. For example, Blasi (1987) argues that status classifications distort and trivialize Eriksonian identity processes. Blasi (1987) is correct, of course. But similar criticisms could be leveled at most attempts to operationalize psychological processes and constructs; at the very least, some degree of conceptual richness gets lost in the translation. Yet, operationalize we must, if empirical research is going to be the basis for investigating identity (see Berzonsky, 1986a, 1986b). When Marcia’s paradigm is considered as a heuristic for generating research, its track record is quite good, even impressive.

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Authors
  1. Michael D. Berzonsky
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana, 46556, USA

    Daniel K. Lapsley

  2. Program of Liberal Studies, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana, 46556, USA

    F. Clark Power

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Berzonsky, M.D. (1988). Self-Theorists, Identity Status, and Social Cognition. In: Lapsley, D.K., Power, F.C. (eds) Self, Ego, and Identity. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4615-7834-5_12

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4615-7834-5_12

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