One
of the major developmental tasks that characterize the period of adolescence is
the search for identity; which is presented as a question of WHO AM I? HOW DO I
SEE MYSELF AND WHAT DO PEOPLE THINK ABOUT ME? AND WHO AM I TO BECOME? These
three presenting question can be liken to the three component of the self-concept.
‘Who
am i?’ – Self-image: during the early adolescence, the adolescent encounter sudden
and vast physiological changes which creates a dissonance between his/her
childhood self-image and his/her unstable self-image of early adolescence. This
dissonance causes the adolescent to perceive a loss of identity and this
feeling of loss of identity propels the adolescent to actively search for a new
identity. Allport 1955 put that whenever our body changes in some way so our
body images changes as well. 451b768fefff18b80d122e0fe9126daff6f3069af68cea5661
How do I see myself & what do
people think about me: also during the early adolescence the adolescent is
actively concern with the question of how other in the society perceive him and
to what extent does he himself approve his self-image. While the self-image is
mainly descriptive the self-esteem is strictly evaluative.
Who
am I to become? – Ideal self/ ego ideal: the adolescent is also preoccupied with
the question of who am I to become. Self-esteem is partly determined by the
degree of variance between the self-image and the ideal self.
Hence
the search for identity encapsulates the production of a meaningful self-concept
in which the past, present and the future are linked together.
The
search for identity during adolescence is not an easy task which is why the
period of adolescence remains one of the most critical period throughout the human
lifespan. Identity is not as a result of maturation neither is it handed to the
individual by the society. It must be attained through sustained individual
effort.
According to Erikson, in a rapid
social change, the older generations are not suitable as a role model for the
younger generation. This explained why adolescent in search of identity often
rebel against their parent or parent figure and turn towards peer, as peer
group help the individual to answer the question of who am I? As they depend on
social feedback as to what others feels and how they react to the individual.
Also lingering on the mind of the
adolescent is the need to settle question of vocational identity. At this stage
the adolescent hold glamorized and idealized conception of their vocational
goal. It is also frequent at this stage for some role diffusion to take place
as they tend to choose vocational goal that are higher than their abilities
warrant.
Due to the jet speed of civilization, too much is being
expected from the adolescent vocationally, academically, socially
technologically etc. these high expectation put strain on the adolescent
therefore for the adolescent to meet up with the high expectation and successfully
establish a strong sense of identity he/she has to reject the identities of
his/her parent; rebel against their dominance, value, system and their
intrusion into their private life, hence the adolescent must separate their
identity form that of their family.
For the adolescent to
successfully establish a strong sense of identity he/she must be willing to
accept his/past and establish continuity with the previous experience.
If the adolescent fails to synthesize
past and present identification into a coherent whole – where a sense of inner
sameness and continuity with the past is not well integrated into present life
direction and the individual may experience a deep sense of ‘drifting’ or
‘centrelessness’. In other words the adolescent will experience self-doubt ,
role diffusion and role confusion as a result of which the adolescent may
indulge in self-destructive activities
such as substance abuse, risky sexual behaviors etc.
Adolescent who has failed in the
search of identity tends to be morbidly preoccupied with what others think of
them, withdraw and no longer care about themselves and others. This lead to ego
diffusion, personality confusion and can be found in the delinquent and in
psychotic personality disorganization. In severe cases according to Erikson,
identity diffusion can lead to suicide or suicide attempts.
At this point adolescent haven
fail to answer the question of who am i? who am I to become? How do I see myself
and what do other people think of me? Feels frustrated and think that the world
is against him/her, and definitely isolate him/herself, giving room for
depression to set in. often they go into substance abuse as a means of elating
their sate of depression.
The adolescent struggle to attain
an identity and achieve adult can be a frustrating experience, and society,
educational institute, teachers and parent may well ponder how they can make
this experience more meaningful.
According to Muuss, (1970) some
of the adolescent difficulties in the
western society may be better understand if one considers the adolescent as the
“marginal man who stands in a psychological no man’s land without clear
understanding of what is expected of him struggling to attain adult status.”
Author: Awujoola Olaoluwa
photo credit: theunitive.com
References
Afusat Olanike Busari (Ph.D)
2010. Psychology of Adolescence for Colleges and Universities. 19 – 23
Richard Gross Psychology, the
science of mind and behavior. 7th
- Edition 514 – 517
Support Us
0 comments: