مجلة السراج في التربية وقضايا المجتمع
Volume 9, Numéro 3, Pages 102-119
2025-09-30

The Identity Of The Adolescent Ego From A Psychosocial Perspective

Authors : Rachid Souaker .

Abstract

The ego identity expresses the individual's privacy, distinction, and internal sense of self and continuity. Erikson says that one of the most important stages of socio-psychological development is the identity crisis. The interplay between the dimensions of exploration and commitment is the first step in the formation of the ego identity. A number of factors impact the process, chief among them being socialisation and the resolution of prior developmental crises. The ideological and the social are the two primary manifestations of the ego identity. Marchia developed this approach by grouping identities into four statuses based on two criteria: exploration and commitment: (1) identity achievement; (2) moratorium; (3) foreclosure, and finally (4) diffusion. The latter is characterised by a clear absence of identity and the adoption of a negative identity that shows a rebellion against societal values and standards. These approaches allow us to adopt a conceptual framework that may be used as a reference in psychological research on how adolescents build their identities. In addition to providing a theoretical foundation for creating educational and psychological support programs, this framework also helps to direct therapeutic interventions for people who have negative identities.

Keywords

Adolescent, Ego, Identity, Maturity