Identity Formation and Development in Adolescence
Adolescence is a period closely examined by many psychologists and pedagogues, and each psychologist approaches it from different perspectives.
Adolescence is one of the most important and perhaps the most difficult periods in a person's life. Adolescence is considered a turning point in human life. Generally starting between the ages of 12-13, adolescence continues into the 20s. During this period, major changes, primarily physical, but also mental and personality-wise, await the individual. Individuals can easily adapt to their physical changes after a period of confusion. However, the same cannot be said for the changes occurring in their mental development. While some individuals easily navigate mental development and changes during adolescence; some individuals experience this period with difficulty, are deeply affected by it, and may experience intense turmoil.
How Does the Process of Identity Formation Occur During Adolescence?
For Freud, one of the psychologists with important theories on infant and child psychology, adolescence was also a subject of special study. According to Freud, adolescence is a period when instinctual energy is reactivated in the genital area. Freud states that the balance of id, ego, and superego, which he explained extensively while studying child psychology and which was established during that process, is disrupted again during adolescence. This is because sexual impulses cause the adolescent to re-experience the conflicts experienced during childhood. However, the difference between adolescence and childhood is that the search for romantic relationships, as a result of the conflicts experienced, occurs outside the family rather than within the family. In general, we have briefly discussed adolescence and the conflicts and changes it creates. Since adolescence is also a stage where identity formation takes place and becomes clear, we will now turn to the process of identity formation during adolescence.
During adolescence, the individual's body changes and develops rapidly.
The only way to successfully navigate adolescence, one of the most difficult and conflict-ridden periods of an individual's life, is to achieve identity acquisition. Identity means the entirety of a person's unique ways of behaving and thinking. Therefore, identity refers to the differences that distinguish an individual from others. The process of identity formation in an individual is a process that begins before adolescence, and achieving successful results in previous stages is one of the most important conditions for an easy and comfortable adolescence. A successful identity formation process is a major step that will also facilitate the transition to adult identity. An adolescent whose body changes in a short period and begins to take on an adult appearance understands that they are no longer in the childhood stage and cannot behave like a child. Consequently, they begin to question and understand themselves by asking questions like 'Who am I?' 'What should my goals in life be?' This questioning also helps in making future decisions and forming the self. If the adolescent finds a role in society that aligns with their chosen ideology, they will have acquired their identity. In an adolescent who fails to achieve this, identity crisis continues. Many attempts will be made to resolve the identity crisis. However, if the crisis cannot be resolved as a result of these attempts, the adolescent may fall into identity confusion. This situation is also a primary step towards negative identity development.
