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APPENDIX VIIB (Contd.)
ERIKSON - concepts of ego-identity/ego-diffusion in individual identity
Erikson provides a typology for studying not only identity
formation, resulting in ego-identity, but also a situation where
the formation of identity fails to take place, resulting in identity
diffusion. The work of de Levita and others in Erikson’s tradition
will be used in this area.
Erikson outlines the following characteristics of Ego-Identity
and Identity-Diffusion.
Ego-Identity
TRUST
permits deferral of
gratification - allows
prediction of behaviour
of others - allows
generalization.
AUTONOMY AND’ PRIDE
INITIATIVE
INDUSTRY
Identity-Diffusion
DISTRUST
need for immediate gratification
LACK of AUTONOMY
GUILT
INFERIORITY
FEELING OF BEING A NON-PERSON
EXPECTATION OF REJECTION
DISBELIEF OF POSSIBILITY OF COMPLETING
ANYTHING OF VALUE
STRAIN TOWARDS DELINQUENCY
STRAIN TOWARDS WITHDRAWAL
To these we may add
de Levita - FUNCTIONAL CONSTANCY
standing in relation always to
the same world,the feeling of
occupying a place of one’s own
in the community
IDENTITY - DIFFUSION
De Levita gives the following characteristics of identity-diffusion
or experience of lack of identity accompanying interaction with others:-
* a painfully heightened sense of isolation
* a feeling of disintegration of a sense of inner
continuity and sameness
* an overall sense of being ashamed
* an inability to derive a sense of accomplishment from any
kind of activity
* a feeling that life is happening to the individual rather
than being lived on his initiative
* experiencing an engagement to others as loss of identity
* a wishing that parents had been different
* a radically shortened time perspective
* a basic mistrust