Jean S. Phinney: An Extension Of Ego Identity Development Theories

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Jean S. Phinney was one of the researchers who studied ethnic identity at a developmental level – in contrast with theories based on social identity and acculturation. Her framework is an extension of ego identity development theories by Erik Erikson and James Marcia. Erikson proposed that there are 8 stages of development, starting from infancy to old age. Each stage is characterized by a “core crisis” that must be resolved to remain mentally and developmentally healthy as the person moves on to the succeeding stages (Palombo, Bendicsen & Koch, 2009). Marcia expanded on Erikson’s stages of development and proposed four different identity statuses that begin in adolescence: Identity Diffusion (not committed to an identity and not exploring), …show more content…

In the three-stage model, Phinney (1996) proposed that “adolescents and young adults are assumed to progress over time from an unexamined or received view of their ethnicity… through a crisis or exploration phase, in which they immerse themselves in the history and culture of their group, to an achieved, secure sense of their ethnicity” (p. 145). Adolescence is the time period where most people start to explore more of their ethnic identity. The combination of past experiences and changes in their social groups can increase someone’s curiosity about their own ethnicity which, according to Phinney (1996), will trigger the desire to learn more about the history and current situation of their …show more content…

Even scholars and researchers have varying interpretations of what forms one’s ethnic identity. According to Phinney (1996), “ethnic identity has been conceptualized as a complex construct including a commitment and sense of belonging to one’s ethnic group, positive evaluation of the group, and the involvement in activities and traditions of the group” (p. 145). It is also described as an individual’s psychological affiliation and attachment to a group of people who share the same heritage and place of origin (Branch, Tayal & Triplett, 2000). However, identification with an ethnic group can be portrayed in many different ways and is not limited to the practice of common traditions. The group’s heritage, values and language, in addition to traditional practices, are often used as markers in studying ethnology. The timeline for ethnic identity formation varies from person to person. Some may achieve a full identity earlier in life, some later. Even though the process of exploration is most common among adolescents, it may continue over time and throughout a person’s life (Phinney, 2007). It is also possible for an individual to not identify with a specific ethnic background. Social and cultural environment also has an effect on the rate of development; hence, some researchers believe that there is a higher chance for ethnic identity exploration and development to occur in a more diverse

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