HB II DB. Week 5

Student 1. S. Likkola

Erik Erikson’s views that the initial development of self-identity occurs during adolescence were valid but lacked the continuing nature of this in adulthood. Even though the Eriksonian development task of developing identity coherence (Hutchison, 243) might have been met in adolescence, the process goes on beyond adolescence forming an identity in the larger cultural and societal context. Identity faces more modifying forces and challenges that might stimulate the need for change in adulthood. Identity development processes in adulthood differ with the development direction in personal life and in the way in which life-altering situations are approached.

The gradual development to adulthood from late adolescent to young adulthood involves cognitive development, redefining of connections towards autonomy (independence), increasing maturity in peer relationships and societal demands to meet adult responsibilities and roles. A disruptive event or situation provides the accommodation challenge that fuels development of the adult ego (Hauser, 928). Stressing and challenging events in life such as death, job loss and divorce are associated with the molding of the initial self-identity by decreasing the commitment and increasing the exploration in adulthood (Anthis and LaVoie, 3). A common example of this is the mid-life crisis.

The factors that affect the trajectory of identity development either lead to faster, slower or a change in direction include age factors, socioeconomic status, and gender. New experiences in the social aspect of life include death, marriage, divorce, relationship break-ups and disagreements with parents or friends- these have high modifying abilities due to their combined emotional and social pressure. Although economic factors such as poverty in adolescence lead to faster development of self-identity due to the earlier assumption of roles, in adulthood, the changes in economic status might lead to changes in esteem and views on self-worth.

Student 2. J. Montalvo

Erikson's belief is that throughout each person's lifetime, they experience different conflicts at certain points in their lives.  The "Identity versus Role Confusion" stage involves adolescents trying to figure out who they are in order to form an identity that they will build on. 

I believe that identity formation is continuous and follows adolescents through adulthood. Changing life situations, along with changing biological and psychological needs, cause further identity development during the periods of adult life. Hutchinson mentioned in the textbook that midlife adults balance many roles including family, work, and community. Major changes within any of these roles may affect a person’s development. For example, many men and women hit a stage of life when they realize that time may have caught up with them, and that they may no longer be in their prime. As a result, they can suffer a crisis of self-confidence that affects their lives (midlife crisis). 

Development in young adulthood may be impacted by several factors. Hutchinson (p. 251) briefly describes how poor social functioning impacts the development of young adults. Some factors that affect development may include problems in school and family life, and intimate violence. Other factors that affect the course of identity development include one’s socioeconomic status. Economic factors like poverty can also lead to earlier development of self-identity.