Abstract
Assumed determinants of ego identity were investigated in this study using sophomore, junior, and senior high school males and females. Subjects were administered the Marcia Ego Identity Status Scale and measures of sex-role identification, personality development, psychological functioning, self-concept, and parental socialization practices. Data analyses, using a median split on identity score, showed that high-identity adolescents obtained more positive scores on sex-role identification, personality development, psychological adjustment, and self-concept than low-identity adolescents. Socialization practices also differed for the two groups. The sex differences which emerged were congruent with the identity literature. Overall, the data supported Erikson's theory of ego identity development.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Bardwick, J. M. (1971).Psychology of Women: A Study of Biocultural Conflict, Harper and Row, New York.
Bell, A. P. (1969). Role modeling of fathers in adolescence and young adulthood.J. Counsel. Psychol. 16: 30–35.
Buros, O. K. (1972).The Seventh Mental Measurements Yearbook, Vol. 1, Gryphon Press, Highland Park, N.J.
Conger, J. J. (1973).Adolescence and Youth, Harper and Row, New York.
Constantinople, A. (1969). An Eriksonian measure of personality development in college students.Dev. Psychol. 1: 357–372.
Coopersmith, S. (1967).The Antecedents of Self Esteem, Freeman, San Francisco.
Dignan, M. H. (1965). Ego identity and maternal identification.J. Personal. Soc. Psychol. 5: 476–483.
Donovan, J. M. (1975). Identity status and interpersonal style.J. Youth Adolesc. 4: 37–55.
Douvan, E. (1960). Sex differences in adolescent character processes.Merrill-Palmer Quart. 6: 203–211.
Douvan, E., and Adelson, J. (1966).The Adolescent Experience, Wiley, New York.
Dye, P., Marquiss, J., and LaVoie, J. C. (1975). Ego identity in normal and socially maladjusted adolescent females. Unpublished manuscript, University of Nebraska at Omaha.
Erikson, E. H. (1950).Childhood and Society, Norton, New York.
Erikson, E. H. (1968).Identity: Youth and Crises, Norton, New York.
Fitts, W. H. (1964). The Tennessee Self Concept Scale: Ten years of research in mental health. Tennessee Department of Mental Health,Mind over Matter, Nashville, 4, 1–12 (No. 9).
Frazier, A., and Lisonbee, L. K. (1971). Adolescent concerns with physique. In Muus, R. E. (ed.),Adolescent Behavior and Society: A Book of Readings, Random House, New York.
Harvey, O. J., and Felknor, C. (1969). Parent-child relations as an antecedent to conceptual functioning. Unpublished doctoral dissertation, University of Colorado.
Heilburn, A. B., Jr. (1964). Conformity to masculinity-femininity stereotypes and ego identity in adolescents.Psychol. Rep. 14: 351–357.
Jones, M. C. (1957). The later careers of boys who were early or late maturing.Child Dev. 28: 113–128.
Josselson, R. L. (1973). Psychodynamic aspects of identity formation in college women.J. Youth Adolesc. 2: 3–52.
Lazowick, L. M. (1955). On the nature of identification.J. Abnorm. Soc. Psychol. 51: 175–183.
Marcia, J. E. (1966). Development and validation of ego identity status.J. Personal. Soc. Psychol. 3: 551–558.
Marcia, J. E. (1967). Ego identity status: Relationship to change in self-esteem, “general maladjustment,” and authoritarianism.J. Personal. 35: 118–133.
Marcia, J. E., and Friedman, M. L. (1970). Ego identity status in college women.J. Personal. 38: 249–263.
Matteson, D. R. (1975).Adolescence Today: Sex Roles and the Search for Identity, Dorsey Press, Homewood, Ill.
Miller, D. C. (1964).Handbood of Research Design and Social Measurement, McKay, New York.
Mussen, P. H. (1962). Long term consequences of masculinity of interests in adolescence.J. Consult. Psychol. 25: 435–440.
Podd, M. H. (1972). Ego identity status and morality.Dev. Psychol. 6: 497–507.
Rosenberg, M. (1965).Society and the Adolescent Self-image, Princeton University Press, Princeton, N.J.
Schubert, D. S. P. (1975). Increase of apparent adjustment in adolescence by further ego identity formation and age.College Student J. 7: 3–6.
Schubert, D. S. P., and Wagner, M. E. (1975). A subcultural change of MMPI norms in the 1960's due to adolescent role confusion and glamorization of alienation.J. Abnorm. Psychol. 84: 406–411.
Waterman, A. S., and Waterman, C. K. (1971). Longitudinal study of changes in ego identity status during the freshman year at college.Dev. Psychol. 5: 167–173.
Weatherly, D. (1964). Self-perceived rate of physical maturation and personality in late adolescence.Child Dev. 35: 1197–1210.
Wylie, R. (1974).The Self Concept, Vol. 1:A Review of Methodological Considerations and Measuring Instruments, University of Nebraska Press, Lincoln, Neb.
Yarrow, M. R., Campbell, J. D., and Burton, R. D. (1968).Childrearing, Jossey-Bass, San Francisco.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
This study was funded by Grant No. 791-01-010-502 from the Senate Research Committee, University of Nebraska at Omaha.
Received his Ph.D. in developmental psychology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Major interests are in the area of social and personality development in children and adolescents.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
LaVoie, J.C. Ego identity formation in middle adolescence. J Youth Adolescence 5, 371–385 (1976). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01577250
Received:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01577250