Identity formation Identity formation

One does not discover new lands One does not discover new lands without consenting to lose sight of the without consenting to lose sight of the

shoreshorefor a very long time. for a very long time. --Andre Gide--Andre Gide

Four stages of identity formationFour stages of identity formation

““Identity Foreclosure:Identity Foreclosure: The identity status of The identity status of individuals who have accepted ready-made values individuals who have accepted ready-made values and goals that authority figures have chosen for and goals that authority figures have chosen for them.them.

Identity Diffusion:Identity Diffusion: The identity status of The identity status of individuals who do not have firm commitments to individuals who do not have firm commitments to values and goals and are not actively trying to values and goals and are not actively trying to reach them.”reach them.”

(Berk, 1997, p. 438)(Berk, 1997, p. 438)

Four stages of identity formationFour stages of identity formation

MoratoriumMoratorium: The identity status of : The identity status of individuals who are exploring alternatives individuals who are exploring alternatives in an effort to find values and goals to in an effort to find values and goals to guide their life.guide their life.

Identity AchievementIdentity Achievement: The identity status : The identity status of individuals who have explored and of individuals who have explored and committed themselves to self-chosen values committed themselves to self-chosen values and goals.and goals.

(Berk, 1997, p. 438)(Berk, 1997, p. 438)

Your identitiesYour identities

Can you identify 5 identities that you Can you identify 5 identities that you possess?possess?

What characterises these identities?What characterises these identities? Is there a clash of identities for you? Is there a clash of identities for you? How do you deal with these clashes?How do you deal with these clashes? What stage are your different identities at?What stage are your different identities at?

Gender messsagesGender messsages

Please identify 7 Please identify 7 messages and images messages and images that you have clearly that you have clearly perceived about your perceived about your gender identitygender identity

Please identify 7 Please identify 7 messages and images messages and images that you have clearly that you have clearly perceived that do not perceived that do not characterise your characterise your gender identity and gender identity and should have been should have been avoided avoided

Please rate the following slides: Please rate the following slides:

Very masculineVery masculine MasculineMasculine Not very masculineNot very masculine Not masculine at allNot masculine at all

Please rate the following slides: Please rate the following slides:

Very feminine Very feminine FeminineFeminine Not very feminineNot very feminine Not feminineNot feminine

                                                         

It’s only Words or Sticks and It’s only Words or Sticks and StonesStones

For these words – Woman, Man, Boy, Girl, For these words – Woman, Man, Boy, Girl, Penis, Vagina, Homosexual, Bi-sexual, Penis, Vagina, Homosexual, Bi-sexual, Heterosexual, Anglo-Celtic/Saxon, Heterosexual, Anglo-Celtic/Saxon, Aboriginal, Asian, Aboriginal, Asian,

Identify as many words/nicknames/phrases Identify as many words/nicknames/phrases as you can think of andas you can think of and

categorise them as Positive, Negative or categorise them as Positive, Negative or Neutral and as Strong or WeakNeutral and as Strong or Weak