Erik Erikson claimed that the identity crisis (the struggle to form an individual identity)
was the chief challenge of adolescence.
James Marcia built on Erik Erikson’s work by proposing that identity formation has two dimensions:
exploration (the degree to which a person explores and struggles with identity)
and commitment (how committed person is to choices about goals, values, and beliefs).
Marcia proposed four categories of identity formation.
In diffusion, individuals are apathetic and lack direction.
In foreclosure, individuals have formed commitments based on the expectations of parents or others.
Moratorium is a time of exploring life options while putting off any final decisions.
Individuals who have reached identity achievement have committed to specific elements of identity following a period of exploration.
Researchers have found that diffusion and foreclosure are more common in early adolescence.
Most college students have progressed beyond these categories to moratorium or to identity achievement status.