[𝐓𝐄𝐃𝐱𝐇𝐀𝐍𝐔: IDENTITY CRISIS - PART 1: THE CRISIS IN IDENTIFYING ONE’S IDENTITY]

Erik Erikson is a German psychologist known for his series of scientific studies on human psychological development. Prominent among them is research related to the journey of discovering each individual's "Identity". Accordingly, in order to find the correct answer, a person will have to constantly bring up questions about their strengths, weaknesses, roles, and values ​​in society. Because there was so much uncertainty and inner conflicts that happened during this period, the phrase “Identity Crisis” was born to describe them. People can experience the Crisis at any stage of life, but it is most common between the ages of 15 and 30.

In an extensive study about “Identity Crisis”, researcher James Marcia developed four dimensions to measure the degree of identity recognition as follows:

𝐈𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐃𝐢𝐟𝐟𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧: People belonging to this status do not have a clear concept of themselves or their position in society yet they are not actively looking for it either.

𝐈𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐌𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐮𝐦: Despite trying to identify their “Identity” by pursuing many goals and orientations, there was still no commitment to anything specific.

𝐈𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐞: Many adolescents nowadays belong to this type of identity status. They passively accept that their roles, goals, and even personality are largely influenced by family and friends.

𝐈𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐀𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭: This is considered the most ideal state. Through the process of discovery and experimentation, these people have successfully found themselves their own unique "substance".

It can be said that we are always taught in school how to get good grades in class, behave appropriately with adults, but not how to understand our inner souls. Therefore, it is inevitable for each human being to deal with stumbling blocks on the journey to adulthood or going through the "Identity Crisis" stage.

An individual can go through all four in turn, or stay stuck in one of the above states. But, as a young person, don't give up when you see the word "Crisis", it’s time to change it into a "Revolution". The “Identity Crisis” is only one of countless challenges that we must overcome while exploring our Color.

What are the solutions to this Identity Crisis and how to identify the symptoms causing it? What can be done to actualize the "Identity Revolution"? Involving one Individual or the entire Community? The answer will be revealed in the latest posts of 𝐓𝐄𝐃𝐱𝐇𝐀𝐍𝐔 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟏.

Have you found your own “Identity” yet? Or are you still going through the “Identity Crisis” mentioned above? Feel free to share your story in the comments below! 𝐓𝐄𝐃𝐱𝐇𝐀𝐍𝐔 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟏 is always available!