ARTHUR CHICKERING’S IDENTITY

DEVELOPMENT THEORY

THE SEVEN VECTORS

 Arthur chickering
 Erikson’s theory [identity and intimacy]
 Education and identity [1969]
 Based on research he conducted at Goddard College and Small
College

 Identity
 Linda Reisser[1993]
CHICKERING'S SEVEN VECTORS

 The theory focuses on the overall identity

development of college students
 The theory establishes seven vectors, also known as
tasks, that deal with psychological development
 CHECKERING 7 VECTORS
The vectors are
 Developing competence

 Managing emotions

 Moving through autonomy toward interdependence

 Developing mature interpersonal relationships

 Establishing identity

 Developing purpose

 Developing integrity.
 VECTOR 1: DEVELOPING
COMPETENCE
Chickering identifies three types of competence that college students
develop
These are:
 Intellectual competence

 Manual skills,

 Interpersonal competences

 Intellectual competence specifically refers to the ability to

understand, analyze, and synthesize information

 Manual competence refers to the ability to physically accomplish

tasks
 Interpersonal competence refers to working and establishing

relationships with others. 

 ACTIVITIES YOU CAN DO TO
DEVELOP COMPETENCIES
How to develop competence
 Identify the skills and attributes you want to improve

 Set goals

 Network with other professionals

 Seek mentorship

 Look for training opportunities

 Use your time wisely

 Practice regularly
 Vector 2:Managing Emotions
The second vector is the ability to manage emotions
 College students face a wide variety of emotions, and by

accomplishing this vector, student become aware of their

emotions and how to manage them
 There are many aspects of college that encourage intense

emotions in students such as fear, anger, happiness, and sadness

 .  It is important for students to recognize the balance between

self-awareness and self-control of their emotions. 

 MANAGING EMOTIONS
Benefits of emotional intelligence
 Reduces Stress

 Helps students to react to constructive criticism

 Helps students to deal with their fears, doubts, and insecurities

 Improves Communication Skills

 Enhances Social Skills

 Creates a Positive Environment

 It helps the student to handle and tolerate frustrations

VECTOR 3:MOVEMENT
THROUGH AUTONOMY
TOWARD INTERDEPENDENCE
The third vector is the movement through autonomy toward
interdependence
 Students must learn to operate on their own, and take responsibility for

themselves
 It is important for students to find emotional and instrumental

independence.  Emotional independence means the ability of a student

to willingly risk relationships of those who are close to them in exchange
for pursuing their own individual interests or convictions
 Instrumental independence is the ability to solve problems on one's own

 Through this vector, students can manage the tensions between the need

for independence and the need for acceptance, along with respecting the
uniqueness and independence of others.  
MOVEMENT THROUGH AUTONOMY
TOWARD INTERDEPENDENCE

The following life skills are expected to develop in students as they move
through autonomy towards independence
 Financial management planning

 Time management

 Self-confidence boosting activities,

 Assuming responsibilities

 Independent decision making,

 Networking

 Career planning.
VECTOR 4:DEVELOPMENT OF
MATURE INTERPERSONAL
RELATIONSHIPS
The fourth vector is the development of mature interpersonal relationships.  
 This requires the ability to be intimate and the ability to accept and

celebrate unique differences

 College students have the opportunity to meet a wide variety of people,

with a variety of different beliefs, values, and backgrounds.

 This exposure can help students gain such tolerance of unique differences.  

 Intimacy refers to the ability to establish relationships that are close and

meaningful. 
 BENEFITS OF
INTERPERSONAL SKILLS
A student with good interpersonal skills may benefit the following:
 Good interpersonal skills help you to communicate more

effectively with family and friends

 Ability to give and receive feedback effectively with your partner

can help to resolve small problems between you before they

become big issues
 It increases self-awareness skills

 It boosts self confidence in students

 It helps one to introspect

 VECTOR 5: ESTABLISHMENT
OF IDENTITY
The fifth vector deals with the establishment of identity.
 Development of identity is the process of discovering

what people around you say about you

 This development establishes how an individual is

perceived by others
 Ultimately, the formation of one's identity leads to a

sense of contentment with one's self and how that self is

seen by others. 
 POWERFUL BENEFITS OF
UNDERSTANDING SELF IDENTITY
The following are some of the benefits of understanding
self identity
 You will learn to accept who you are

 You can let go of self-doubt

 Your confidence will improve

 You'll make better life choices.

 VECTOR 6: DEVELOPING
PURPOSE
The sixth vector is developing purpose
 College students begin to set life goals
 Their life is now guided by the goals they have in life 
 Through experiences in college, students discover what gives them energy,
and what they find to be most fulfilling
 
 Vector 7: Development of Integrity
The seven vector is the development of integrity
 Integrity means the quality of being honest and having strong moral

principles
 This vector relates to the ability of students to personalize humanizing

values, and apply them to their own behavior

 Many values that students bring with them to college are challenged in

this environment
 The establishment of integrity is the ability for students to assemble and

practice the values that are actually consistent with their own beliefs