Chickering

Vectors of Identity Development

Josselson
Identity Development in Women

Autonomy and Interdependence

Individuation is becoming ones own person and taking increasing responsibility for self-support One can become financially and physically independent while remaining emotionally dependent Autonomy does not only mean becoming a separate, unique individual; but also maintaining connections with others while being separate and unique

Autonomy and Interdependence

Emotional Independence
Prior to young adulthood, most individuals are dependent on their parents Upon entering young adulthood, individuals do not typically become emotionally independent, but switch their locus of dependency (e.g. parents to peers; parents to professor or hall director/career counselor) Eventually individual begins to depend on oneself for self-satisfaction

Autonomy and Interdependence

Instrumental Independence
Ability to carry out activities on ones own and be self sufficient Ability to leave on place and function well in another

Autonomy and Interdependence

Interdependence
Once individuals achieve autonomy they recognize that their interests can oppose the interests of other autonomous individuals Recognition of ones impact on others lives Interdependent individuals recognize need to use judicially reciprocity, compromise, sacrifice, and consensus building

Kegan (1982)The Evolving Self

Development occurs as a result of competing desire to be included within a group and to be independent and autonomous Individuals gravitate toward one of these desires until an imbalance occurs and the person begins to move toward the other direction

Mature Interpersonal Relationships

Interpersonal relationships exist between two autonomous individuals who find balance between dependency and dominance in a relationship Two Components:
1. Tolerance and Appreciation of Differences 2. Capacity for Intimacy

Mature Interpersonal Relationships

Tolerance and Appreciation
The willingness not to judge or condemn based on how others differ The suspension of judgment does not translate into the development of mature interpersonal relationships; rather the development of empathy is required

Bennett (1986) Ethnocentric to Ethnorelative States

Denial of Differences Defense Against Differences Minimization of Differences Acceptance of Differences Adaptation of Differences Integration of Differences

Mature Interpersonal Relationships

Capacity for Intimacy
Willingness and ability to commit oneself to close affective relationships for their own sake (Douvan, 1981) Rather than relying of relationships for identification, individuals derive and contribute benefits from the relationship Individuals seek to continue mutually beneficial relationship despite internal (e.g. perceiving faults of the other) and external (e.g. peer disapproval of relationship) presses

Establishing Identity
Comfort with Body an Appearance
Expression through selection of style/fashion Eating Disorders

Comfort with Gender and Sexual Orientation

What does it mean to be a man or woman? Exploration of what it means to be attracted to different sex, same sex, particular aspects

Establishing Identity
Sense of Self in a Social, Historical, and Cultural Context
Identify with sub-population groups in which one received from their parents (e.g. How do I make sense of being a rural, Midwestern, White, green-collar, heterosexual, GermanAmerican, Catholic, adoptee) Identity with sub-population groups in which one self-selects to exist (e.g. How do I make sense of being a suburban, Midwestern, White, white-collar, heterosexual, American, Messianic Jewish, adoptee)

Establishing Identity
Clarification of Self-Concept through Roles and Life-Style Sense of Self in Response to Feedback from Valued Others

Self-Acceptance and Self-Esteem

Personal value/merit

Developing Purpose
Who Am I? What Am I Able to Do? With Whom Do I Want to Share My Life? Developing purpose is the ability to be intentional in ones choices and pursuits, assess options, clarify goals, and persist despite obstacles

Developing Purpose
Vocational Plans and Aspirations
Not just securing a job or deciding upon a career Vocatio = Calling Although career choices may change or remain static, there is an increasing level of clarity about what one want to do and what is the next step in achieving that goal

Developing Purpose
Personal Interests
Individuals can derive less, equal, or more personal satisfaction and a sense of identity from their avocational interests than their vocation

Interpersonal and Family Commitments

Developing Integrity
Humanizing Values
Balancing self-interest with the interests of others

Personalizing Values
Consciously affirming core values and beliefs wile respecting others views

Developing Congruence
Matching personal values with socially responsible behavior

Marcia (1966) Identity Resolution

Expanded upon Eriksons stage of Identity versus Role Confusion stage of late adolescence in the college environment Marcia studied 86 male college students Identity Resolution Based on Two Factors
Has the individual experienced a crisis period related to vocational choice, religion, or political ideology Extent of his personal commitment to particular choices

Marcia (1966) Identity Resolution

Has Made Commitment Has Experienced Crisis No Yes
Identity
Diffusion Moratorium

No

Identity

Yes

Foreclosure

Achievement

Josseslons Later Research

Josselson, R. (1987). Finding herself: Pathways to identity development in women.
Examined 34 of original 60 women 12 years after they left college The women in the four groups were still very distinguishable

Josselson, R. (1998). Revising herself: The story of womens identify from college to midlife.
Examined 30 of the original 60 women 22 years after they left college. Found most of the women, regardless of their stage at the end of college had come to the same place

Identity Development Women and Men

Women find their identity by relating to others and have the capacity to experience higher levels of intimacy Men find their identity by choosing a career and the development of an ideology On Marcias three criteria, men are more likely to reach identity achievement in occupation and ideology; men and women are equal on religion.