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Different methodologies in the assessment of identity: Congruence between self-report and interview techniques?

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Abstract

Convergent-divergent validity and reliability estimates for clinical interview and self-report measures of ego identity were obtained. Twenty-three males and 25 females completed an extended version of the Ego Identity Interview [H. D. Grotevant, W. Thorebecke, and M. C. Meyer (1982) “An Extension of Marcia's Identity Status Interview into the Interpersonal Domain,”Journal of Youth and Adolescence 11: 33–48] and the extended version of the Objective Measure of Ego Identity Status [H. D. Grotevant and G. R. Adams (1984) “Development of an Objective Measure to Assess Ego-Identity in Adolescence: Validation and Replication,”Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 13: 419–438]. While the two measures were expected to converge, little convergence was observed. The findings suggest that the two measures may be (a) assessing relatively distinct forms of ego identity, or (b) that the ego-identity construct as measured by the process (exploration) and outcome (commitment) dimensions needs further theoretical examination.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, Clark University, 01610, Worcester, Massachusetts

    Laura Craig-Bray

  2. Department of Family and Human Development, Utah State University, 84322-2905, Logan, Utah

    Gerald R. Adams

Authors
  1. Laura Craig-Bray
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  2. Gerald R. Adams
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Additional information

Partial support for this project was provided through fundings to the second author from the Utah State Agricultural Experiment Station, Logan, Utah. This paper was presented earlier in a symposium titled “Identity Development from Adolescence to Adulthood” at the biennial meetings of the Society for Research on Child Development, Toronto, Canada, April 1985.

Received M.S degree in Psychology from Utah State University. Research interests include identity development and social relations.

Received Ph.D. from the Pennsylvania State University in 1975. Research interests include personality and social development in adolescence, family psychology, and research methodology.

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Craig-Bray, L., Adams, G.R. Different methodologies in the assessment of identity: Congruence between self-report and interview techniques?. J Youth Adolescence 15, 191–204 (1986). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02139122

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02139122

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