#CSAM18 Day 4: Josselson, Identity Development in Women
I haven’t really thought about Josselson’s theory since graduate school. I found it difficult to get my hands on an article about this specific theory that I had access to, and I didn’t have time to read a full book. I used the power of Google to learn bits and pieces, along with the textbook by Komives and Associates. I might actually add her book to my (out of control) Amazon wish list.
Enough of this nonsense, you might be thinking, I want to know about Day 4’s topic.
Ok, that’s fair.
Josselson studied women in their senior year of college to determine how their psychosocial identity develops during their college years. She eventually defined this development into four different types of identity development, all of which are related to where the woman’s beliefs fall compared to her family’s values, especially the beliefs and values of her mother. Women develop the most due to crises in relationships.
Here is an explanation of each type from https://organizations.missouristate.edu/guide/125687.htm:
Josselson's Theory of Identity Development in Women:
- Foreclosures: Purveyors of the Heritage- women who graduate from college with identity commitment with no experience in identity crisis, little identity change, seek security in relationships
- Identity Achievements: Pavers of the Way- break psychologocal ties to childhood & form separate, distinct identities, reorganize sense of self and identity, commit to who they are in relation to others & decide how they want to contribute to others' lives
- Moratoriums: Daughters of the Crisis- unstable time of experimenting & searching for new identities, internalize the paradox there are many ways to be right, sticks with one way and if challenged, crisis will ensure
- Identity Diffusions: Lost and Sometimes Found- lack of crisis & commitment, low ego development, high anxiety, withdraws from situations, fails to internalize varied experiences, little attachment to inner self
Title of theory: Identity Development in Women
Year theory was published: 1987
Students originally studied: 48 women who were college seniors
Background of the author: Is currently a professor of clinical psychology at the Felding Graduate University, and is also a practicing clinical psychologist.
How theory can be used now: Understanding how women's identities are formed and that the internal and external struggles that clash can have long-term developmental consequences.
Words of warning: Since only college students were studied, it's hard to know what would be said about women around the same age who didn't attend college, or non-traditional students attending college later in life. It also doesn't leave room for women who may go through multiple types of conflict and perhaps develop twice or more times. It also doesn't include non-binary folks.
http://ruthellenjosselson.com/
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/BF02213921
https://organizations.missouristate.edu/guide/125687.htm
http://collegestudentdeveltheory.blogspot.com/2010/11/josselsons-theory-of-identity.html
Enough of this nonsense, you might be thinking, I want to know about Day 4’s topic.
Ok, that’s fair.
Josselson studied women in their senior year of college to determine how their psychosocial identity develops during their college years. She eventually defined this development into four different types of identity development, all of which are related to where the woman’s beliefs fall compared to her family’s values, especially the beliefs and values of her mother. Women develop the most due to crises in relationships.
Here is an explanation of each type from https://organizations.missouristate.edu/guide/125687.htm:
Josselson's Theory of Identity Development in Women:
- Foreclosures: Purveyors of the Heritage- women who graduate from college with identity commitment with no experience in identity crisis, little identity change, seek security in relationships
- Identity Achievements: Pavers of the Way- break psychologocal ties to childhood & form separate, distinct identities, reorganize sense of self and identity, commit to who they are in relation to others & decide how they want to contribute to others' lives
- Moratoriums: Daughters of the Crisis- unstable time of experimenting & searching for new identities, internalize the paradox there are many ways to be right, sticks with one way and if challenged, crisis will ensure
- Identity Diffusions: Lost and Sometimes Found- lack of crisis & commitment, low ego development, high anxiety, withdraws from situations, fails to internalize varied experiences, little attachment to inner self
Title of theory: Identity Development in Women
Year theory was published: 1987
Students originally studied: 48 women who were college seniors
Background of the author: Is currently a professor of clinical psychology at the Felding Graduate University, and is also a practicing clinical psychologist.
How theory can be used now: Understanding how women's identities are formed and that the internal and external struggles that clash can have long-term developmental consequences.
Words of warning: Since only college students were studied, it's hard to know what would be said about women around the same age who didn't attend college, or non-traditional students attending college later in life. It also doesn't leave room for women who may go through multiple types of conflict and perhaps develop twice or more times. It also doesn't include non-binary folks.
http://ruthellenjosselson.com/
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/BF02213921
https://organizations.missouristate.edu/guide/125687.htm
http://collegestudentdeveltheory.blogspot.com/2010/11/josselsons-theory-of-identity.html
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