Elsevier

Developmental Review

Volume 8, Issue 2, June 1988, Pages 147-184
Developmental Review

A critical examination of the ego identity status paradigm

https://doi.org/10.1016/0273-2297(88)90002-0Get rights and content

Abstract

This paper presents critical arguments which challenge the assumption that the identity status paradigm, as formulated by James Marcia, appropriately conceptualizes and operationalizes Erik Erikson's theory of ego identity formulation. We discuss Marcia's conceptualization of the identity stage, indicating ways in which it diverges from Erikson's theory, how a number of Eriksonian concepts are not integrated into the paradigm, and how some ostensibly “Eriksonian” terminology used by Marcia is inappropriate and constitutes an impediment to the theoretical interpretation of empirical research in Eriksonian terms. In concluding our analysis of the identity status paradigm we attempt to demonstrate the extent to which it is interpretable in Eriksonian terms and go on to suggest why an interdisciplinary approach is necessary to fully understand ego identity formation. Finally, we raise a number of questions about the nature of the identity crisis that we believe investigators must confront if research in this area is to become sensitive to the difficulties involved in making claims of cross-cultural and transhistorical validity.

References (71)

  • J.E. Côté

    Identity crisis modality: A technique for assessing the structure of the identity crisis

    Journal of Adolescence

    (1986)
  • J.E. Côté et al.

    A formulation of Erikson's theory of ego identity formation

    Developmental Review

    (1987)
  • G.R. Adams et al.

    Ego stage and identity status development: A cross-sequential analysis

    Journal of Personality and Social Psychology

    (1982)
  • S.L. Archer

    Career and/or family: The identity process for adolescent girls

    Youth and Society

    (1985)
  • F. Baker

    Measures of ego identity: A multitrait mulitmethod validation

    Educational and Psychological Measurement

    (1971)
  • R. Bauer

    A critical review of research methodology on E. Erikson's theory of ego identity

    Psychologia Belgica

    (1972)
  • H.S. Bernard

    Identity formation during adolescence: A review of some empirical findings

    Adolescence

    (1981)
  • S.M. Bishop et al.

    Multi-level vulnerability of adolescent marriages: An eco-system model for clinical assessment and intervention

    Journal of Marital and Family Therapy

    (1983)
  • S. Bob

    An investigation of the relationship between identity status, cognitive style, and stress

    Dissertation Abstracts International

    (1968)
  • E. Bourne

    The state of research on ego identity: A review and appraisal

    Journal of Youth and Adolescence

    (1978)
  • E. Bourne

    The state of research on ego identity: A review and appraisal

    Journal of Youth and Adolescence

    (1978)
  • G.W. Bronson

    Identity diffusion in late adolescence

    Journal of Abnormal and Social Psychology

    (1959)
  • M.E. Bunt

    A study of certain aspects of ego identity as demonstrated by the discrepancy between how an adolescent views himself and how he perceives that others view him

    Dissertation Abstracts International

    (1962)
  • B.C. Byrd

    Identity confusion and related variables as factors in college dropout

    (1971)
  • L.M. Ciminillo et al.

    Career education and identity status

    Education

    (1979)
  • T.D. Cook et al.
  • J.E. Côté

    Ideology and identity: Erik Erikson and Max Weber

    (1989)
  • J.E. Côté et al.

    Marcia and Erikson: The relationships among ego identity status, neuroticism, dogmatism, and purposes in life

    Journal of Youth and Adolescence

    (1983)
  • J.E. Côté et al.

    The relationship between ego identity status and Erikson's notions of institutionalized moratoria, value orientation stage, and ego dominance

    Journal of Youth and Adolescence

    (1988)
  • J.E. Côté et al.

    An empirical investigation of the validity of the ego identity status paradigm

    (1989)
  • J.E. Côté et al.

    Cognitive complexity and ego identity formation: A synthesis of cognitive and ego psychology

    Social Behavior and Personality

    (1979)
  • E.H. Erikson
  • E.H. Erikson

    Late adolescence

  • E.H. Erikson
  • E.H. Erikson
  • E.H. Erikson
  • E.H. Erikson

    Psychosocial identity

  • E.H. Erikson
  • E.H. Erikson

    Report from Vikram: Further perspectives on the life cycle

  • E.H. Erikson
  • R.I. Evans
  • H.D. Grotevant et al.

    Sex differences in styles of occupational identity formation in late adolescence

    Developmental Psychology

    (1982)
  • H.D. Grotevant et al.

    An extension of Marcia's identity status interview into the interpersonal domain

    Journal of Youth and Adolescence

    (1982)
  • D. Jordan

    Parental antecedants and personality characteristics of ego identity statuses

    (1971)
  • R.L. Josselson

    Psychodynamic aspects of identity formation in college women

    Journal of Youth and Adolescence

    (1973)
  • Cited by (161)

    • Creative arts therapies for the mental health of emerging adults: A systematic review

      2022, Arts in Psychotherapy
      Citation Excerpt :

      This group experiences more acute mental health difficulties than adolescents, further exacerbated by reduced parental supervision (Neinstein & Irwin, 2013; Park, Paul Mulye, Adams, Brindis, & Irwin, 2006). The emerging adulthood period is particularly important to identity formation, (Arnett, 2000; Cô & Levine, 1988; Luyckx, Goossens, & Soenens, 2006; Luyckx, Soenens, Vansteenkiste, Goossens, & Berzonsky, 2007; Schwartz, Côté, & Arnett, 2005) life goals and personality traits (Roberts, O’Donnell, & Robins, 2004; Shiner, Masten, & Tellegen, 2002; Steger, Oishi, & Kashdan, 2009; Watson & Humrichouse, 2006), as well as relationship formation and satisfaction (Barry, Madsen, Nelson, Carroll, & Badger, 2009; Watson & Humrichouse, 2006; Zimmer-Gembeck & Petherick, 2006). Efforts should be focused on preventing onset of mental problems during this critical developmental period.

    • The formative nature of graduation travel

      2021, Annals of Tourism Research Empirical Insights
    • Does identity continuity promote personality stability?

      2016, Journal of Research in Personality
    View all citing articles on Scopus
    View full text