The problem of the formation of personal identity in early adolescence is due to the need to solve fundamental problems of social and personal self-determination during this period. The transition from adolescence to adolescence is associated with a sharp change in the internal position, which consists in the fact that aspiration to the future becomes the main focus of the individual, and the problem of choosing a profession, further life path is the focus of interests and plans of high school students.
The strengthening of the personal approach in psychology has led to the enrichment of its language with concepts reflecting those aspects of the sphere of personality development that previously remained outside the scope of psychological analysis. Such concepts include the concepts of “Self-concept”, the concept of “personal self-determination” or “personal self-determination”, “personal identity”, widespread today in psychological and pedagogical literature.
The methodological foundations of the psychological approach to the problem of self-determination were laid by S.L. Rubinstein. He considered the problem of self-determination in the context of the problem of determination, in the light of the principle he put forward - external causes act, refracting through internal conditions: “The thesis according to which external causes act through internal conditions so that the effect of the influence depends on internal properties object, means, essentially, that any determination is necessary both as determination by others, external, and as self-determination (determination of the internal properties of the object).” In this context, self-determination appears as self-determination, as opposed to external determination; the concept of self-determination thus expresses the active nature of “internal conditions.”
We have to admit that at the level of specific psychological theory the problem of self-determination equates “external causes”, “external determination” and social conditions, social determination. In foreign psychology, the category “identity”, introduced in scientific circulation E. Erickson.
Identity is a set of basic psychological, socio-historical and existential characteristics of a person in the concept of E. Erikson. By personal identity, Erikson understands the subjective feeling and at the same time objectively observable quality of self-identity and integrity of the individual Self, associated with the individual’s belief in the identity and integrity of a particular image of the world and person shared with others. Being the vital core of the personality and the main indicator of its psychosocial balance, personal identity means: a) the internal identity of the subject in the process of his perception of the external world, a sense of stability and continuity of his Self in time and space; b) the inclusion of this I in a certain human community, the identity of personal and socially accepted types of worldview. In addition, the subjective strength of the sense of personal identity, according to E. Erikson, is “a sign of the end of adolescence and a condition for the formation of an adult individual.”
The need to determine one’s place in the world of adults and to feel oneself as an independent and separate person from others often becomes a prerequisite for the separation process and marks evolving process individuation.
H. Remschmidt writes that the latest data on the physical, mental, and psychosocial processes of growing up “convince us of the relative independence of this age stage from others." Thus, maturing people must be considered not only as individuals who have not yet achieved the status of an adult, but also as a special social group with the specific needs of the department, problems and difficulties.
Almost nowhere is it reflected that the formation of personal identity in early adolescence involves not only the child’s consistent identification with an adult and awareness of his own worth and competence, but also the experience of self-identity through emotional separation from significant adults.
Thus, personal identity is the resulting vector of the identification process, and also has integrity and structure, which is expressed in the form of a person’s experience of both the identity and variability of the Self over time. This view of identity formation in early adolescence involves a process of self-awareness and self-identification among others. However, it is important to emphasize that during the transition from childhood to adulthood, the adolescent needs a certain autonomy and self-identity in order to be able to assume the rights and responsibilities of an adult.
The formation of a person’s self-awareness is associated with the characteristics of self-identification and self-esteem.
Self-identity is defined as “the persistently experienced identity of the Self across time and space. It presupposes the authenticity of self-perception, a high level of integration of private dynamic and contradictory images of the Self into a single coherent system, due to which a stable, generalized and holistic individual-personal self-determination is formed and maintained, supported and shared by a community of significant others.”
As a result, self-identity involves self-esteem and the assessment of expectations regarding the basic relationships of the self and the social environment.
However, due to the fact that the subject of identification is also a person, achieving complete identity with the object is impossible. A person’s experience of his Self in the process of identification is a manifestation of the content mental life, an indicator of its presence, and makes it possible to realize one’s Self and its non-identity with the Other. At a general level, identification appears as the experience of dynamic identity with oneself, acceptance of oneself as a given. This is an integral experience, which is built from individual private experiences and manifests itself in a variety of specific forms, allowing researchers to see this process from different points of view: it acts as self-esteem, as self-concept, as self-awareness, etc.
Based on the foregoing, it is obvious that the traditional methodological approach to the study of the identified problem in the context of social regulation of identification processes does not provide a full opportunity to consider the features of intrapsychic regulation of the dynamics of formation key aspects identity. Insufficient attention has been paid to the experience of gender identity, the introjection of external normative and regulatory objects, and the autonomization of a maturing individual. Also, the formation of emotional autonomy of a maturing person in conditions of shifting reference structures outside the family is not actually taken into account. In connection with the above, the question arises in determining the signs of the self-autonomous as the resulting activity in the formation of a holistic structure of self-identification of a maturing individual.
From birth to death we go through 8 stages of development, at each of which we are faced with an identity crisis. What is it and what is its danger? What happens to us at specific age intervals? How to help a child survive a turning point? After reading the article, you will not only find answers to these questions, but also find out where the rake is hidden, which you can accidentally step on.
What is an identity crisis
An identity crisis is a period of formation of a person’s personality through the search for one’s place and role in society, awareness of one’s own uniqueness. Research on this phenomenon belongs to the American psychologist Erik Erikson, who identified eight stages psychological development person. The transition from one stage to another is accompanied by changes in the perception of oneself and the world around us. Most of them occur before the age of 21, but even after this age the revaluation of values continues. Age limits may change or shift, but the order of steps remains the same for the majority.
8 development crises
1. To trust or not?
A person faces the first crisis in the first year of his life. "The world is safe place or a hostile environment for me?” - that’s what it sounds like now main question. The child observes the situation and the people around him, studying how consistent, stable, and friendly the actions towards him are.
The most important thing that should happen at the first stage is the emergence of the child’s trust in the world. If you provide your baby with regular care, attention, and care, he will feel safe. And this is the key to harmonious life. In addition, a trusting relationship with the world will help a person cross decisive thresholds more gently in the future.
2. The struggle for independence
From one to three years a person passes next stage development, the essence of which is the establishment of personal independence and opposition to the upbringing of adults. The child needs to defend the boundaries of his autonomy and the right to choose at all costs. He strives to use the acquired skills (dressing himself, combing his hair, etc.), persistently improving his skills.
Children who were not limited in exploring themselves or their environment, but, on the contrary, supported their desire for independence, have more. They are ready to defend the borders of their territory, their own opinion, resisting pressure from outside. Harsh criticism, constant control and reproaches like: “Who are you like!”, “Look what you’ve done!”, “All children are like children, and you!” foster self-doubt, cause feelings of doubt and guilt. If you prevent a child from expressing himself, then in the future he will depend on others for everything.
3. Initiative or guilt
From three to five years of age, the self-affirmation phase begins. This is a period of active interaction with children, exploration of one's interpersonal skills and self-organization. The life of a child is now very dynamic - children come up with games, assign roles, take initiative and learn to interact in a team.
If he, feeling safe, can show his organizational skills at this stage, then the door to harmonious growing up will open easily and naturally.
Those parents who are used to criticizing, reprimanding or stopping in order to prevent danger risk causing the child to feel guilty. By suppressing the initiative that has arisen, stopping the “flow of questions,” as well as the child’s demand to explain this or that situation, we risk that the child will feel rejected and unnecessary. Feelings of guilt not only suppress creativity, but also disrupt the process of communication with others. Adults face a difficult but doable task - to balance initiative and natural feelings of guilt.
4. Self-sufficiency versus self-doubt
The period from 5 to 12 years is characterized by active comprehension of knowledge, when a person learns to read, write and process the information received. Now the source of the formation of a sense of self-sufficiency is not parents, but teachers and comrades. Encouragement, support for initiative, and approval provide the individual with self-confidence and self-confidence.
Condemnation of an initiative or excessive criticism from others provokes the appearance of complexes and self-doubt. In addition, the feeling of inferiority that arises on this basis leads to a reluctance to learn and develop further.
5. The path to awareness
At the fifth stage we are between the ages of 12 and 21. During this period of time, there is a transition from childhood to adulthood, the smoothness of which plays an important role in the formation of a holistic personality. Now the priority is to establish a career and personal life. There is a separation from parents and a thorough search for oneself in everyone. life spheres. Who am I? Where do I feel comfortable being? What do I want? These and other questions that cause a psychological crisis ultimately lead to the definition of one’s professional and sexual roles.
If at this stage the person does not have enough strength and experience to identify himself, role confusion may occur. What does it mean? An internally insecure teenager is prone to drastic experiments in search of himself, which are often accompanied by negative consequences. Attempts to curb his ardor and direct him in some direction provoke protest, rebellion, and rejection.
6. Intimacy and love
We go through this stage the fastest, since it is between 21 and 25 years. The period is dedicated to exploring love and your partner. The ability to build long-term trusting relationships, to give, to sacrifice, and to be responsible for another is developed. If it is possible to create a situation of comfort, the personality moves to the next level of ego development, successfully experiencing an identity crisis.
If for a long time specifically avoid Serious relationships, that is, the risk of getting used to constant internal loneliness, depressive state or isolate yourself from the outside world.
7. Active development
From the age of 25, according to Erikson, begins new stage human development, which is the longest, as it ends at 65 years. This is the time to start a family, a career, transition into the role of a parent, and so on. The level of self-realization in these areas of life determines how successful a person will feel throughout his life.
If the goals set at the previous stages are not achieved, then there is a possibility of stopping on the path to improvement. The feeling of one’s own unproductivity can drive a deep psychological crisis into a dead end, slowing down further period development.
8. Wisdom versus despair
At the age of over 65, we begin to analyze the life we have lived, but do not stop studying it. At this time, a person wants to see the fruits of his labors and efforts, realizing that he is successful. But if, instead of a good result, we determine that the past was lived unproductively, goals were not achieved, plans were not realized, then there is a possibility that it will happen.
If the identity crisis at this stage goes smoothly, the person, having gained, will look into the past with a feeling of humility, gratitude, and completeness. This will allow you to approach old age and the end of life without fear.
How to survive an identity crisis
A psychological crisis is a condition that requires changes in the previous pattern of behavior of an individual. Such turning points occur periodically in the life of every person and are the norm of development. But if an adult has the strength to cope with his condition on his own, then children, especially in adolescence, need the support and understanding of adults.
How does a psychological crisis manifest itself?
- negative ones are difficult to control (outbursts, sudden, etc.);
- causeless excitement or panic occurs;
- the feeling of one’s own helplessness and inferiority intensifies;
- it is difficult to plan actions and adhere to a certain algorithm;
- awareness of the mistakes made drives you into a dead end, from which it seems that there is no way out.
7 tips to help teenagers survive a psychological crisis
- Praise not only for achievements, but also for aspirations for them;
- Encourage initiatives and the desire to defend one’s own interests;
- Take topics that concern teenagers seriously, even if they seem frivolous or stupid;
- Help in disclosure, referring to the idea that each person is talented in his own way;
- Show respect for the child’s personality, do not impose your views on life;
- Develop the ability to be responsible for one’s actions, thus teaching responsibility;
- Accept the fact of growing up, give the child the opportunity to find himself, if, of course, this does not harm his health.
Identity crisis is a process of self-discovery that knocks on every person's door from time to time. If from birth we are provided with comfortable conditions for passing through turning points, then we will greet subsequent visits of crisis with a smile and open arms. But what if this didn't happen? Resentment against the past will not produce results, but will only provoke internal conflict. You can protect yourself from it by looking around. Some child now definitely needs your support. And, as you know, there are no other people’s children.
- (short version) Three lines of development lead to this crisis: rapid physical growth and puberty, the need to find your professional calling.
Adolescence is the most important period development, since a person must rethink all previous critical moments. At the end of adolescence, a person acquires either an “adult identity” or “identity diffusion” occurs.
Syndrome social pathology identity – regression to the infantile level and the desire to delay the acquisition of adult status as long as possible; a vague but persistent state of anxiety; feeling isolated and empty; constantly being in a state of something that can change your life; fear of personal communication and inability to emotionally influence people of the other sex; hostility and contempt for all recognized social roles, including male and female; contempt for everything domestic and an irrational preference for everything foreign. IN extreme cases there is a search for negative identity. -
E. Erikson emphasizes that at each stage developing child must come to a vital sense of his own worth and should not be satisfied with irresponsible praise or condescending approval. His ego identity achieves real strength only when he understands that his achievements are manifested in those areas of life that are significant for a given culture.
The fifth stage in personality development is characterized by the deepest life crisis. Childhood is coming to an end. The completion of this large stage of life's journey is characterized by the formation of the first integral form of ego identity. Three lines of development lead to this crisis: rapid physical growth and puberty (“physiological revolution”); preoccupation with “how I appear in the eyes of others”, “what I am”; the need to find one’s professional calling that meets acquired skills, individual abilities and the requirements of society. In a teenage identity crisis, all past critical moments of development arise anew. The teenager must now solve all the old problems consciously and with the inner conviction that this is the choice that is significant for him and for society. Then social trust in the world, independence, initiative, and mastered skills will create a new integrity of the individual.
Adolescence is the most important period of development, during which the main identity crisis occurs. This is followed by either the acquisition of an “adult identity” or a delay in development, that is, “diffusion of identity.”
The interval between adolescence and adulthood, when a young person strives (through trial and error) to find his place in society, E. Erikson called a “mental moratorium.” The severity of this crisis depends both on the degree of resolution of earlier crises (trust, independence, activity, etc.), and on the entire spiritual atmosphere of society. An unresolved crisis leads to a state of acute diffusion of identity and forms the basis of a special pathology of adolescence. Identity pathology syndrome according to E. Erikson: regression to the infantile level and the desire to delay the acquisition of adult status as long as possible; a vague but persistent state of anxiety; feeling isolated and empty; constantly being in a state of something that can change your life; fear of personal communication and inability to emotionally influence people of the other sex; hostility and contempt for all recognized social roles, including male and female (“unisex”); contempt for everything American and an irrational preference for everything foreign (according to the principle “it’s good where we are not”). In extreme cases, there is a search for negative identity, the desire to “become nothing” as the only way of self-affirmation.
A few more important observations by E. Erikson relating to the period of his youth. Falling in love that occurs at this age, according to E. Erikson, is initially not of a sexual nature. “To a large extent, youthful love is an attempt to come to a definition of one’s own identity by projecting one’s own initially unclear image onto someone else and seeing it in a reflected and clarified form. That is why the manifestation of youthful love largely comes down to conversations,” he wrote . According to the logic of personality development, young people are characterized by selectivity in communication and cruelty towards all “strangers” who differ in social origin, tastes or abilities. “Often, special details of costume or special gestures are temporarily chosen as signs that help to distinguish “insider” from “outsider” ... such intolerance is a protection for the sense of one’s own identity from depersonalization and confusion.”
Adolescence is a latent stage, a complete awareness of oneself and uncertainty in understanding the “I”, characterizing the deepest crisis in life. It accounts for the main identity crisis. Erickson called the interval between adolescence and adulthood a mental moratorium. Identity pathology syndrome is the desire to delay acquiring adult status for as long as possible. There is a search for negative identity.
Youth is a period of personality stabilization. A system of stable views on the world and one’s place in it is emerging - worldview. The central personal new formation of the period becomes self-determination, professional and personal.
Youth (Early - 15 - 17 years old. Late - 17 - 21 years old)
In adolescence, significant morphofunctional changes occur, and the processes of physical maturation of a person are completed. Life activity in youth becomes more complex: the range of social roles and interests expands, more and more adult roles appear with a corresponding degree of independence and responsibility. At this age there is a lot critical social events; obtaining a passport, the onset of liability conditions, the possibility of exercising active suffrage, the opportunity to get married. Many young people at this age begin to work; the task of choosing a profession and future life path faces everyone. In adolescence, the independence of the individual is strengthened to a greater extent. In youth, the time horizon expands - future becomes the main dimension. The basic orientation of the individual is changing, which can now be designated as a focus on the future, determining the future path of life, choosing a profession. Looking to the future, building life plans and prospects- the “affective center” of a young man’s life. Social situation of development in early adolescence - "threshold of independent life."
Transition from early to late adolescence is marked by a change in the emphasis of development: the period of preliminary self-determination ends and the transition to self-realization takes place.
In the psychological periodizations of D. B. Elkonin and A. N. Leontiev, the leading activity in youth is recognized as educational and professional activities.
According to D.I. Feldshtein, in adolescence the nature of development is determined by work and study as the main activities.
Other psychologists talk about professional self-determination as a leading activity in early youth. In high school it is formed psychological readiness for self-determination.
Formation on high level psychological structures: theoretical thinking, the foundations of a scientific and civil worldview, self-awareness and developed reflection;
Development of needs that provide meaningful fulfillment of the personality (moral attitudes, value orientations, etc.)
The formation of the prerequisites for individuality as a result of the development and awareness of one’s abilities and interests, and a critical attitude towards them.
Communication in youth
1) The need for informal, confidential communication with adults;
2) Friendship;
3) Establishing relationships with people of the opposite sex;
4) Love.
Intellectual development in youth
The characteristic level of cognitive development in adolescence and youth is formally - logical, formally - operational thinking. This is abstract, theoretical, hypothetico-deductive thinking, not related to specific environmental conditions, existing at the moment. By the end adolescence are common mental capacity already formed, but throughout adolescence they continue to improve.
For boys and girls, the establishment of cause-and-effect relationships, systematicity, stability and criticality of thinking, and independent creative activity become characteristic.
Psychological neoplasms
1) The need for self-determination;
2) Readiness for personal and professional self-determination;
3) Life plans;
4) Sustainable self-knowledge;
5) Identity;
6) Value orientations;
7) Worldview is the internal position of a man (or woman).
Crisis of transition to adulthood (18 - 20 years old)
"Severance from parental roots."
61. Development of self-awareness in adolescence
Early youth is characterized by a focus on the future. In this period – period of creation life plan - issues are being resolved " who to be?"(professional self-determination) and " what to be?"(personal and moral self-determination).
Self-determination, both professional and personal, becomes central neoplasm of early adolescence(the concept of self-determination used in Russian psychology is close to the concept of “personal identity” by E. Erikson).
This new internal position, including awareness of oneself as a member of society, acceptance of one’s place in it.
Self-determination is associated with new time perception. Now time perspective is realized.
Observed general stabilization of personality.
The moral stability of the individual develops.
Adolescence is the age of developing a worldview.
There is a change in learning motivation.
Every person during his life faces certain turning points when he is acutely aware of his helplessness in the face of the unknown of existence and the definition of his role in it. These stages are characterized by a rethinking of values that were previously considered unshakable, a search for the meaning of life and the formation of ideas to achieve it. Identity crisis, according to psychologists, is important point reference in the process of establishing a person as a full-fledged individual who is able to resist society, having his own views and beliefs.
What this personal crisis is, what provokes it and how to emerge victorious from it, we will tell you in this article.
Some definitions
Personal crisis is a stage in a person’s life caused by a certain critical situation, when to implement previously set life goals does not seem possible. A critical situation can be caused by: external reasons, and internal prerequisites. On this life stage a person cannot quickly solve the problem that has arisen. The methods that were acceptable previously no longer work. New decisions are needed, which people are often not ready to make. Moreover, sometimes there is a feeling that it is impossible to do this.
A mental crisis becomes a stage after which the entire course of a person’s life changes. His further existence will depend on how a person gets out of a situation that at first seems deadlocked.
In psychology, there are several stages that a person goes through during this stage.
A personal crisis can be caused by several reasons, based on which they distinguish the following types turning points:
- A crisis age development, which is associated with the stages of a person’s physical and psychological maturation;
- A situational crisis that is caused by certain tragic events in life: divorce, illness, serious injury, death, loss of a loved one.
The duration and intensity of any difficult stage depends on how strong a person’s will is.
Breaking Situations
When planning their lives, only a small number of people think about the unpleasant “surprises” that it can present.
Dismissal from work, career failure, unexpected deterioration in material well-being, betrayal of a loved one or divorce - no one is immune from such unpleasant events.
A person begins to find out the reasons for what happened and does not find them. The suddenness of the onset of changes frightens and forces you to look within yourself for the reason. The feeling of guilt because not everything was done to prevent the situation does not go away. The person falls into deep depression.
A mental crisis appears as a concomitant phenomenon with unresolved internal conflicts. The desire to understand one’s feelings and spiritual possibilities, rethinking life position in connection with age-related and situational changes, they are important components of the development of personal qualities.
Features of these turning points associated with worrying not only about one’s own life, but also about the lives of other people.
Age-related changes
Age-related crises of personality development are a natural need of the human psyche. They are short-term and ensure the correct course of personality development. Each of these periods is associated with changes in human activity and the development of his mental capabilities.
- Neonatal crisis is caused by changes in life activities outside the womb;
- The turning point in the first year of life is associated with an increase in the child’s needs and capabilities;
- Three years is the starting point in determining one’s own “I”;
- At seven years old the child begins the new kind activities related to schooling;
- The teenage stage is associated with the process of puberty and physical changes;
- At the age of 17, an identity crisis arises, which is the need for acceptance independent decisions and the beginning of independent adult life;
- At 30 years of age, the turning point is associated with the impossibility of realizing the life goals set earlier;
- In forty-year-old people, a fracture is characterized by unresolved problems of the previous stage;
- Retirement is perceived as a change in the usual way of life, a rethinking of past years and a feeling of uselessness and unfulfillment.
- The correct human reaction to age-related changes can not only lift him out of protracted depression, but also allow him to reach a higher level of development.
The beginning of personality formation
Despite the fact that the three-year-old crisis is preceded by 2 more stages, it is this age that is considered to be the beginning of the formation of personality. This is the time when the baby realizes his importance and wants to “grope” the boundaries of what is permitted, the period of determining his role in the life of society.
Psychologists have identified a seven-star crisis, which is important indicator the beginning of children's independence. These signs indicate complex processes growing up, which should not be confused with disobedience and self-will.
The “I myself” crisis is associated with the desire to exist independently within the framework of society, which is represented by 
family and relationships within it. The child begins to demand independence, which he does not know what to do with.
Complex mental contradictions are expressed in whims, disobedience, negativism and rebellion.
If parents react incorrectly, a so-called crisis of trust appears, which manifests itself in isolation or aggression, low self-esteem and unwillingness to put up with the generally accepted principles of social life.
Youth stage of personality development
The personality crisis in adolescence largely determines the course of other turning points in life, related not only to age, but also to life circumstances.
At this age, self-determination in life is the main focus personal development. A change in the usual type of activity, the desire to conform to generally accepted norms, but at the same time to have individuality, gives rise to fear of a new life.
The identity crisis that appears during adolescence indicates either an awareness of one’s low social status or a denial of the value of society.
This period is associated with increased attention to your appearance and the achievements that you have already achieved. A critical perception of reality leads to an underestimation of one’s own capabilities and psychological discomfort. The desire to explore the world and choose one’s own niche in it is reflected in the choice of a future profession.
An identity crisis in youth has the following manifestations:
- Fear of getting close to other people;
- The desire to isolate yourself from others;
- Lack of confidence in one’s own capabilities, which is expressed in a categorical refusal to educational activities or in showing special zeal for her;
- Inability to manage time;
- Fear of future life, the desire to live “today and now”;
- Active search for ideals, copying their style and lifestyle.
If the identity crisis is properly overcome, it will allow young men and women to overcome psychological barriers and create favorable conditions for further development.
An identity crisis will be less painful if parents provide the necessary support. developing personality. Excessive guardianship and the desire to impose one’s own opinion on a child, even if it is correct, should not be allowed. Let him make his own decisions and build his own destiny. It is important for parents to understand that a mental crisis is an integral part of development, and the course of other turning points in the life of a growing person will depend on how it passes in adolescence.
How to emerge victorious from a crisis
Personality development crises are necessary stages in the life of every person that accompany him throughout his life. During a crisis period, it is important not to isolate yourself, looking for new opportunities, showing a desire to move on.
There are many ways to overcome a crisis. The main thing is not to be afraid to explore your inner potential and try something new in your personal relationships or career. The ability to withstand life's adversities allows you to strengthen your character, strengthen your identity and achieve new heights that a person does not even think about in a calm, measured pace of life.
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