Identity styles and causality orientations: in search of the motivational underpinnings of the identity exploration process

This study examines relationships between constructs based on two perspectives on the development of self‐governance, namely Self‐Determination Theory (SDT; Deci & Ryan, 2000) and Berzonsky's (1990) identity style model. Theoretically predictable relationships are found between the three causality orientations defined by SDT (autonomous, controlled, and impersonal) and the three identity styles proposed by Berzonsky (informational, normative, diffuse–avoidant) in a sample of Belgian late adolescents. An autonomous causality orientation is positively related to an informational identity style and negatively related to a diffuse–avoidant style. A controlled orientation is positively associated with a normative identity style, and an impersonal orientation is positively related to a diffuse–avoidant identity style. Participants' gender does not moderate these relationships. The findings suggest that the causality orientations late adolescents employ may play an important role in how actively and thoroughly they explore identity‐relevant issues. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Identity

A cybernetic model of identity has been proposed by Kerpelman, Pittman, and Lamke (1997) and critiqued by Berzonsky (1997) and Grotevant (1997). This commentary recognizes some of the importantfeatures of the theory and its critics and goes beyond to question what kind of person is being depicted in the Kerpelman et al. article. Some potential shortcomings of identity control system theory are noted. However, the theory has very compelling and potentially useful theoretical dimensions. It is concluded that the theory should be taken seriously and that some logical limitations be reconsidered to enhance its usefulness and logical consistency.

Revisiting the Identity Control Theory Approach

Adams (1997), Berzonksy (1997), and Grotevant (1997) provided disceming comnentary on the strengths of using a control theory approach to guide research on identity development. They highlighted critical issues and provided suggestions for expanding the identity control theory model. Our response to these comments focuses on the overarching meta-model; the origination and nature of identity standards; thefit of the control theory model with existing identityframeworks; andthe utilityof the nodelforaddressing important issues of developmental shifts, individual diferences, and cultural context.

El concepto de identidad como recurso para el estudio de transiciones

Se aborda el concepto teórico Identidad, sus orígenes, las posibilidades explicativas en la pos-modernidad y su situación actual, se presenta un modelo conceptual integrador, denominado genéricamente Enfoque Cultural de Identidad, que incorpora tanto la visión de lo individual como de lo colectivo de manera dialéctica. El modelo explica cómo se reproduce la cultura, manteniendo la estabilidad estructural y como los factores relacionados tanto con la cultura como la estructura social influyen en situaciones de transición en las diferentes etapas de vida. Los conceptos de capital de identidad y estilo de identidad se derivan de la formulación hecha por James Marcia a mediados de los años sesentas, expandida por James Côté y extendida por Michael Berzonsky para explicar los procesos socio-psicológicos y psico-sociales involucrados en la auto-definición o identidad. A partir de ambos conceptos se construye una categorización que permite el análisis de procesos psico-sociales en escenarios de transición.

The prevalence and incremental validity of identity problem symptoms in a high school sample

This paper examines the expression, prevalence, and incremental validity of identity problem symptoms in adolescence. A sample of high school students (N = 140) aged 15-18 completed measures of identity problem symptoms, identity status, and psychological symptom severity. Findings suggested that 14.3% would meet DSM IV criteria for identity problem. Identity problem symptoms predicted psychological symptom scores beyond identity status, and identity status accounted for substantially less variance in psychological symptom severity when controlling for identity problem symptoms. Additional research on the relationship between identity problems and psychological adjustment is needed and greater attention to the role of identity issues in clinical practice is warranted.

Adolescent psychological well-being by identity style

High school-age adolescents (N=262) in two samples completed a measure of identity style, along with measures of self-esteem, hopelessness, delinquent attitudes, educational expectations, and optimism/efficacy. Analysis of variance was used to evaluate the relationship between identity style and the other psychosocial variables. Participants classified as having a diffuse/avoidant orientation had lower self-esteem and higher delinquent attitude scores than those with either an information or normative orientation. At the same time, the diffuse-avoidant style was associated with higher hopelessness and lower optimism/efficacy scores than the normative and information styles. The normative and information styles did not differ significantly in terms of the dependent variables. Results also indicated that males were more likely to be diffused and females more likely to be information-oriented.

The process of exploration in identity formation: the role of style and competence

This study drew on two approaches to identity formation, each postulating differing but complementary exploration components (style and competence), in an effort to better understand the identity exploration process. The sample for this study (n=215) was socio-demographically diverse with respect to gender, age, ethnicity and setting, with participants drawn from two universities in two different settings (rural residential, and urban non-residential), with differing ethnicities (primarily non-Hispanic White vs. primarily Hispanic) and varying ages. Overall patterns of results revealed by hierarchical regression analyses were consistent with a process model of exploration and with the view that exploration is a multi-dimensional process comprized of multiple components. The findings also provide evidence for the utility of both of the critical constructivist and co-constructivist approaches to identity formation used in this study, and for the validity of the rich clinical/qualitative literature that gave rise to the construct of exploration.