Emerging Adults Theory and Identity Development

1. Emerging Adults Theory and Identity Development Diane J. Wolter, Ph.D. APCA Indianapolis March 31, 2014

2. APA continuing education credits Accuracy and utility of information Basis of statements Limitations of content Severe and most common risks Conflict of interest statement

3. Identity Development Outline • Identity development theories • Emerging Adults • Examples from study • Meg Jay’s “Defining Decade” • Discussion

4. Chickering and Reisser Vectors • Developing competence • Managing emotions • Moving through autonomy toward interdependence • Developing mature interpersonal relationships • Establishing identity • Developing purpose • Developing integrity

5. Chickering and Reisser Developing competence • intellectual competence • physical and manual skills • interpersonal competence Managing emotions • the ability to recognize and accept emotions, and to appropriately express and control them

6. Chickering and Reisser Moving through autonomy toward interdependence • This vector is characterized by increased emotional independence Developing mature interpersonal relationships • Developing intercultural and interpersonal tolerance as well as an appreciation of differences

7. Chickering and Reisser Developing purpose • Includes establishing clear vocational goals, making commitments to specific personal interests and activities as well as interpersonal commitments Developing integrity • Includes three sequential but overlapping stages: humanizing values, personalizing values, and developing congruence

8. Chickering and Reisser Establishing identity • Builds on each of the tasks accomplished in the other vectors

9. Marcia Foreclosure • Students commit to an identity without exploring their options Identity diffusion • Students have not explored, have certainly not committed, and may have little interest in exploring or making decisions about their lives

10. Marcia Moratorium • Students are actively exploring alternatives, although they have not made a commitment Identity achievement • Have overcome their identity crises, explored alternatives in moratorium, and made commitments to identity

11. Sampson & Peterson Career Development Cycle • Engage • Understand • Explore • Evaluate • Act • Reflect

12. Emerging Adults Jeffrey Jensen Arnett • Background • Development

13. Emerging Adults Five “features” • The age of instability • The most self-focused age • The age of feeling in-between • The age of possibilities • The age of identity exploration

14. Emerging Adults Current state: National Association (biennial conferences—six) New Journal

15. Description of Study Purpose Participants Methodology Data analysis

16. Subjects Pam—physical therapy, has already chosen PT program, next six years planned out • Dancer, needed physical therapy

17. Subjects Kelly—loves fish • Asked for an aquarium for eighth birthday

18. Subjects Abbi—baby doctor • Likes babies, doctors make good money

19. Discussion What facets of identity development do these students display? What might be some challenges or advantages of each student’s situation, and what is our role in helping them move forward? Have you encountered students like these?

20. Meg Jay “The Defining Decade: Why Your Twenties Matter, and how to Make the Most of Them Now” • Your twenties are a time for exploring • Don’t get “serious” about life until 30

21. Questions?