Running head: COLLAGE REFLECTION TO BAXTER MAGOLDAS THEORY OF SELF

AUTHORSHIP

Collage Reflection to Baxter Magoldas Theory of Self Authorship

Lauren Swanson
Northern Illinois University

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Collage Reflection to Baxter Magoldas Theory of Self Authorship
According to Marcia Baxter Magolda, young adults, specifically college students,
develop and attempt to find answers to changes in society. Being able to become the author of
ones life is a challenge for students during their college years. However, the college
environment is not suitable for young adults to create a pathway to Self-Authorship. In order to
better assess a students development, Baxter Magolda introduced her theory of Self-Authorship.
Self-Authorship, according to Baxter Magolda, is the internal capacity to define ones beliefs,
identity, and social relations (Evans et al., 2010, p.184). With Self-Authorship, Baxter Magolda
attempts to answer three questions: Who am I? How do I know? How do I want to construct
relationships with others? Those questions can be answered by the four phases of SelfAuthorship: following formulas, crossroads, authoring ones life, and internal foundation.
In this paper, I will describe how different aspects of my collage correlates with the
different phases of Self-Authorship, as well answering the questions stated by Baxter Magolda. I
will then explain how my own experiences and at least one picture is associated to the questions
established by Baxter Magolda: who am I? How do I know? How do I want to construct
relationships with others? After describing the four phases, I explain how this theory can or
cannot be used in my own professional practice.
Following Formulas
The first phase in Self-Authorship is following formulas. This phase is structured for the student
or young adults journey through Self-Authorship. Following formulas can best be described as a
plan previously laid out for the student. External factors such as parents, friends, and teachers
dictate the thoughts and outcomes for the student. The student then follows the formula laid out

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by the external factors because they sound as if they are their own beliefs (Evans et al., 2010,
p.184). Not being able t have a clear sense of ones self during this stage makes it difficult for a
student or young adult to find their own path or choice in their lives.
Following formulas had an unexpected impact on my life. I say its unexpected because it
wasnt until I began this assignment and began to understand this theory that I realized that I
went through this phase. I believe that I was in this phase for a little over two years in college
because I constantly relied on the guidance from my parents and my friends. On my collage, the
top left section surrounded by green represents following formulas for my life. Each picture
represents a way that I saw myself as being defined by family, friends, and society. Also, each
picture is associated to one of the questions stated by Baxter Magolda.
The first picture is from the movie My Big Fat Greek Wedding, and is in the bottom left
corner of the section. I added this picture because in my immediate family, I am an only child
and I am very close with my mom. When I first started the college search, she told me that I
would be better off at a school that wasnt too far from our house. Too far, to my mom, was
about a two hour radius around my hometown. When I explored the option of going to Michigan
State, she told me that I wouldnt benefit being so far away from the family and it would better
suit everyone if I stayed close to home. Hearing that, I started to believe that I would be better
suited if I stayed closer to home. This is an example of following formulas because I was swayed
by an external factor, believing that it was the best option for me to succeed without questioning
it.
The remaining three pictures help answer the questions laid out by Baxter Magolda.
Who am I relates to the picture in the top left corner. In this picture, everyone is dressed
similarly and resemble each other. During the following formulas phase, I was blending in with

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the people around me, following their example and their advice. I blended in with those around
me. How do I know is the picture of the family holding on to each other. This picture
resembled a family guiding the younger children by what the parents see as being the right path.
Finally, how do I want to construct relationships is the bottom picture. This picture resembles
how society saw a student of my age at the time: go to college, get a degree in four years, then
graduate and get a job. If a student at that age were to not go to college, society looked at them
with a stigmatization.
Crossroads
Crossroads, according to Baxter Magolda, is when a student realizes that the path that they were
following from their external factors are not working well (Evans et al., 2010, p.185). The
student then realizes that a new path needs to be established based on their own personal needs
or wants. A student could also become unhappy or discouraged by the way their life has been
previously defined by authority figures. However, this can be seen as a crisis, as some students
have not made a decision about their own wants or needs before this time. Students and young
adults at this phase are also very hesitant and fearful of the reactions of others.
On my collage, there are different pictures that represent crossroads in the purple box in
the top right of the board. Each picture does represent a common theme of uncertainty. One
particular picture that captures the definition of crossroads for me is the picture with the sign that
says unclear and uncertain. This picture defines crossroads because it shows that this phase
during Self-Authorship is a point where a student or young adult has to pick a new path that
better suits their interests or needs for the future. One of the moments in my college career that
relates to crossroads was during my junior year. I kept hitting obstacles that prevented me from
becoming a teacher, like both my family and I wanted when I started at Northern Illinois

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University. I struggled coming to terms that being a teacher was not the best fit for me, but I
didnt want to change my major for the fear of what my parents would think. I finally gave in
during the summer of 2013, the summer before my senior year started, and dropped the Teacher
Certification program from my degree, and decided to stay as a history major. This is an example
of crossroads because I came to the realization that the path that was previously laid out for me
was not what I needed to do for my future.
To answer the questions laid out by Baxter Magolda, who am I during this phase of
crossroads is represented by the picture of Lisa from The Simpsons. This picture relates to the
question because at the time I was battling with who I was and who I wanted to be and had a
moment of insecurity. How do I know is represented by the high anxiety picture. I chose that
picture because during that time I felt that there was pressure to not only figure out what I was
going to do after graduation, but I also had to convince my family and friends at the time that this
was the best path for me. Finally, how do I construct relationships is represented by the tick
tock cut out. I felt that I had a very short amount of time to explain and comprehend the change
in my future to my parents. They wanted a legitimate answer to what my plans for when I
graduated would be, and I felt pressured to make decisions that would better suit my future.
Becoming the Author of Ones Life
The third phase by Baxter Magolda, Becoming the Author of Ones Life, is the ability for a
young adult or student to choose their own beliefs and to stand up those beliefs, especially when
facing conflict or opposing views from external factors (Evans et al., 2010, p.186). Once an
individual has chosen their own beliefs, they feel compelled to fulfill them, even though they
could change again or not be as clear as they intended.

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A time when I stood up for myself for my decisions was when I told my dads family that
I wanted to continue my education and get a masters degree. To say that they were unenthused
with the decision is an understatement. My grandmother even told me that I was selfish for
spending more money on a degree that I shouldnt have gotten in the first place. I defended my
decision to my family, telling them that in order to get a job in the field that I wanted to go into, I
needed to get a higher degree. I refused to back down and downplay my decision. The picture
that represents this idea the most is in the center of the orange box, be ridiculously you. I
believe that this represents my idea being the author of my own life because I defended my
decisions and stuck with them, even though I was faced with obstacles and challenges from my
family around me.
The picture that best answers who am I is in the bottom right that says reinvented.
This best answers this question because I had to recreate different aspects of my life, while
overcoming negativity and creating a new identity other than future teacher. To answer how
do I know, I believe that the picture in the bottom left best answers it. I had a desire to change to
better myself for better opportunities for the future, regardless of the beliefs that I was wasting
money and my time by continuing my education. Finally, I think that the picture that says aim
for the target best answers how I would want to construct relationships. When I gained support
from my parents, it was easier being able to ignore the comments and disappointment from
others around me, allowing me to continue my education guilt free.
Internal Foundation
The final phase, and sometimes considered one of the most difficult phases to achieve, is Internal
Foundation. According to Baxter Magolda, young adults who successfully achieve internal
foundation are grounded in their belief system, in a sense of who they are, and in the support of

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their relationships around them (Evans et al., 2010, p.186). Individuals are also understanding of
the possibility of change, and are open to it as opposed to approaching it with uncertainty. Those
who have reached this phase also do not let external factors influence their decisions, as opposed
to earlier phases. Also, many individuals trust their own instincts and beliefs and being to trust
their internal voice (Evans et al., 2010, p.186).
I believe that I am about halfway through this phase before I can truly become SelfAuthored according to Baxter Magoldas theory. Personally, the only part of the definition that
Im still working on is the support of the relationships around me. If I ever get the full support
from my family, maybe then I can say that I am grounded in my belief system and able to have
an internal foundation. On my collage, the picture that be represents my current stance on this
phase is the picture of the little boy holding a stuffed animal. The picture of the caption says
stand up for what you believe in even if it means standing alone. By now being grounded in
my own beliefs and reasons for being in the position I am in now, being in graduate school, and
by living completely on my own, I am standing up for what I believe in regardless of what
others might think. Having an internal foundation allows not just myself but others as well, to
trust the instincts and inner voice to guide us through decisions and opportunities.
To answer the questions from Baxter Magolda, the bottom left picture and the apply to
the graduate school picture best describes who am I? The picture that says be proud of who
you are represents that I am grounded in my sense of self, and that despite the negativity and
challenges I face, that I should be proud of where I am and how far I have come. The apply to
the graduate school picture also allows me to answer who am I because I formed a new
identity as a graduate student and I am grounded in the path I need to be on to make myself
successful. How do I know can be represented with the fearless picture because to me, in

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order to become more grounded in a belief system of my own, I must be fearless or determined
to continue on what I believe is going to make me successful and more knowledgeable in the
field. Finally, how do I want to construct relationships with others can be represented by my
business card because in order to have relationships with others, one must be able to have
empathy and mutuality to become better grounded in their own internal foundation. Another
reason I think that the business card better answers that question is because this is the first
instance where I am able to use my own foundation to reach out to students who might be
experiencing a crossroad in their own personal life.
Application for Practice
I personally think that Baxter Magoldas theory might be one of the most relatable and easily
applied theory to help explain a wide range of peoples development, not just students. Not only
can this be applied to personal reflections and experiences, but it can be used to help understand
and become better aware with how to guide a student to help them move through the phases
smoothly.
In my own practice, I feel that I have already used this theory. The only downside is that
we learned about this theory after this situation had happened. My co-workers and I had a
program with my department (Office of Student Academic Success) called Absence Tracking,
where we called students who were marked absent in a class just to make sure things were going
alright. I had a student on my list who I saw did not go to a single engineering class for the first
four weeks of class. When I called him and asked what was going on, his response was that he
doesnt want to be an engineer, and that he couldnt figure out how to tell his parents because he
didnt want to disappoint them. He thought that if he failed the class completely, they would drop
the idea that he should be an engineer and that he could do what he wanted to do: art.

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I told the student that getting an F in the class might not work the way he intended
because his parents could still insist that he continued with engineering and just took the class
again the following semester. Also, I told him that getting an F would have serious consequences
on his GPA and that he should talk to an Academic Advisor as soon as possible. Being able to
advise a student during crossroads is an essential part of a students development. In future
practice, I hope to become an academic advisor who can help ease the stress of changing majors
and clear up some of the uncertainty that comes along with the experience. If student affairs
professionals are able to catch students during the crossroad phase, it would benefit the student
from finding a program that would motivate them to do well in school and to motivate them to
become more involved with the university. Advisors also give the opportunity for students to set
goals, both in academics and socially, which can help the developmental process through the
phases.
Conclusion
It is important to know that this theory and development process is a life-long journey, and does
not happen at specific stages in time. Each student or adult can experience any of these phases
during different stages of their lives. There is also the opportunity to fall back to another phase,
even if an individual has reached the internal foundations phase. This theory can be applied to
any developing individual and allow them a pathway to becoming a master of their own identity
by being given the opportunity to author their own roles in life.

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References
Evans, N. J., Forney, D. S., Guido, F. M., Patton, L. D., & Renn, K. A. (2010). Student
development in college: Theory, research, and practice. (2nd Edition) San Francisco:
Jossey-Bass.