Week 10 Post 1

While reading chapter 16, I found the section about identity to be very interesting. Most of the information in this section consisted of topics that I've never learned about before; however, they really intrigued me. The first part is about identity versus role confusion and identity achievement. Identity versus role confusion is the time in which adolescents try to figure out who they are but are confused about which of many possible roles to adopt. Identity achievement is the point in an individual's life in which they understand who he or she is as a unique individual based on past experiences and future plans. Role confusion is the opposite of identity achievement. It is characterized by lack of commitment to any goals or values. If an adolescent is in this situation, the usual social demands are beyond their ability. They might sleep too much, immerse themselves in video games and television, and jump from one relationship to another. Their thinking is disorganized, they procrastinate, they avoid issues and actions. Identity foreclosure is when adolescents adopt parents' or society's roles and value, without questioning or analysis. These individuals might follow roles and customs transmitted from their parents and never explore the alternatives. They could also foreclose completely on an oppositional, negative identity without any thoughtful questioning. Moratorium is a shelter like foreclosure, but it is a more mature and socially acceptable shelter. It is a way to postpone making identity-achievement decisions. One example of moratorium is going to college.