Erikson Psychosocial Development Activity/Who Am I?

Describe, in 3-4 sentences, what Erikson referred to as the “adolescent’s search for
identity.”

During one’s adolescent years they begin to develop their own sense of self
and they establish their own identities. Adolescents start to choose who they create
relationships with and they begin to build their own lives. During this period of time,
adolescents begin to feel new emotions and they have an increased sense of
independence.

What distinguishes identity from social identity? (4-6 sentences)

Identity is what characterizes a person, and how the are different from others in

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society. Social identity identifies a person based on the societal groups one is a

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member of. No one has the same upbringing and memories that you have. But other

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people can have the same religions, ethnic groups, economic class, and gender as

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you do.

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Now that you have read the chapter covering Identity and familiarized yourself with
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the stages, ages, and conflicts of Erikson’s theory of psychosocial development, give
an example of the conflict for each of the eight stages. This chart may be helpful to as
it provides descriptions of each stages
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http://www.usefulcharts.com/psychology/erikson-stages-of-development-
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chart.html
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Your examples can be from your own life, the lives of people you know, something
you’ve seen, read, or heard about, or you can make up an example.
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Bonus Points: What are the criticisms/limitations of Erikson’s theory (think

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critically, what are the assumptions)?

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Who Am I?—Identity Exercise

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What is your affiliation/orientation/commitment to the following domains:

(one or two sentences will do)
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Politics: I would say I am an independent. But, on most topics I am left-leaning.

Occupation: My occupation would be a Student/Athlete.

Religion: I would be considered agnostic.

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 Intimate relationships: I am in a relationship currently.

Friendships: I have a group of friends that I am closest too. As well as other friends I
have met through playing baseball.

Gender roles: I am a male.

Family: I currently am living with my parents for this semester. I have also been able
to spend extensive time with my brother until he leaves for baseball.

Extracurricular Activities: I play baseball. My dream job is to be a professional

baseball player.

Add two domains that you think are important to your identity:

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1) Extracurricular Activities. Baseball and school are the most important

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aspects in my life. My dream is to be a professional baseball player, and I try
to do everything to help me achieve that dream

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2) Politics. As someone who follows politics, I feel it is my duty to help inspire
change in our communities. So I make sure to vote and let my voice be heard.
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In terms of your affiliation/orientation/commitment to each of the domains you

responded to, which of them did you choose and which of them were chosen for
you? What was the crisis or conflicts that lead you to make such a commitment in
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this domain of your life? For example, did you choose to be a Democrat or was that
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you made because your parents/family are Democrats? Was there a crisis or conflict
in your life made you choose to be a Democrat?

Nothing in my life was chosen for me by my family. We actually hold different

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religious and political affiliations. I started to do my own research and form my own
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opinions in the 8th grade. There wasn’t a crisis of conflict per se, but I did begin to
form my own opinions that were independent of what they told me or thought.
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