Human Growth and Development / Unit 10 HGD 1357 worked example, 60 to 90 seconds
Marcia's Identity Statuses
The idea
Marcia classified identity by two questions: has the person explored options, and has the person committed? Identity diffusion is neither exploring nor committed, closest to Erikson's role confusion. Foreclosure is commitment without exploration. Moratorium is active exploration without commitment yet, an identity crisis in progress. Identity achievement is commitment after exploration. Statuses apply domain by domain, to occupation, beliefs, values and sexuality.
In practice
Four seniors asked about careers: one shrugs, one will take over the family firm without considering alternatives, one is job-shadowing in three fields, and one chose nursing after trying several paths.
Where people slip
Exam items describe exploration and commitment and ask for the status: neither is diffusion, commitment alone is foreclosure, exploration alone is moratorium, and both is achievement. Diffusion is the least mature status and common in children.
Your place on the trail
Every lesson rests on earlier ones and opens later ones. Tap any to jump.
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