Theories Psychosocial Psychology Psychosocial Development Guide Psychosocial Development Guide Overview Trust vs. Mistrust Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt Initiative vs. Guilt Industry vs. Inferiority Identity vs. Confusion Intimacy vs. Isolation Generativity vs. Stagnation Integrity vs. Despair Identity vs. Role Confusion in Psychosocial Development By Kendra Cherry Kendra Cherry Facebook Twitter Kendra Cherry, MS, is an author and educational consultant focused on helping students learn about psychology. Learn about our editorial process Updated on July 18, 2021 Medically reviewed Verywell Mind articles are reviewed by board-certified physicians and mental healthcare professionals. Medical Reviewers confirm the content is thorough and accurate, reflecting the latest evidence-based research. Content is reviewed before publication and upon substantial updates. Learn more. by Daniel B. Block, MD Medically reviewed by Daniel B. Block, MD LinkedIn Twitter Daniel B. Block, MD, is an award-winning, board-certified psychiatrist who operates a private practice in Pennsylvania. Learn about our Medical Review Board Print Table of Contents View All Table of Contents What Are Identity and Role Confusion? Benefits of Identity Causes Consequences of Role Confusion How to Strengthen Identity How to Decrease Role Confusion Next in Psychosocial Development Guide Intimacy vs. Isolation: Forming Intimate Relationships With Others Verywell / Nusha Ashjaee Identity versus confusion is the fifth stage of ego in psychologist Erik Erikson's theory of psychosocial development. This stage occurs during adolescence between the ages of approximately 12 and 18. During this stage, adolescents explore their independence and develop a sense of self. According to Erikson, people progress through a series of stages as they grow and change throughout life. During each stage, people face a developmental conflict that must be resolved to successfully develop the primary virtue of that stage. He was interested in how social interaction and relationships affect development and growth. What to Know Psychosocial conflict: Identity vs. confusionMajor question: "Who am I?"Basic virtue: FidelityImportant event(s): Social relationships What Are Identity and Role Confusion? As they transition from childhood to adulthood, teens may begin to feel confused or insecure about themselves and how they fit into society. As they seek to establish a sense of self, teens may experiment with different roles, activities, and behaviors. According to Erikson, this is important to the process of forming a strong identity and developing a sense of direction in life. One of the main elements of Erikson's psychosocial stage theory is the development of ego identity. It is the conscious sense of self that we develop through social interaction, which is constantly changing due to new experiences and information we acquire in our daily interactions with others. Identity Erikson defines identity as a “fundamental organizing principal which develops constantly throughout the lifespan.” Identity involves the experiences, relationships, beliefs, values, and memories that make up a person's subjective sense of self. This helps create a continuous self-image that remains fairly constant even as new aspects of the self are developed or strengthened over time. Identity provides the following: Self-sameness: A sense of continuity within the self and in interaction with othersUniqueness: A frame to differentiate between self and interaction with othersPsychosocial development: Mental and physical health for adolescents During the identity vs. confusion stage, the conflict is centered on developing a personal identity. Successfully completing this stage leads to a strong sense of self that will remain throughout life. Role Confusion Kids who are not allowed to explore and test out different identities might be left with what Erikson referred to as role confusion, which can result in the following: Being unsure of who you are and where you fitDrifting from one job or relationship to anotherFeeling disappointed and confused about your place in life Benefits of Identity There are numerous benefits behind shaping and forming an identity. Commitment: Resolving the crisis at this stage of development involves committing to a particular identity. This might involve committing to a career path, deciding what social groups to associate with, and even developing a sense of personal style. Self-confidence: Those who are able to develop a strong sense of identity are better able to have self-confidence, or a sense of trust in their abilities, qualities, and judgements. Sense of independence: Those who receive proper encouragement and reinforcement through personal exploration will emerge from this stage with a strong sense of self and a feeling of independence and control. Those who remain unsure of their beliefs and desires will remain insecure and confused about themselves and the future. Fidelity: Those who are successful develop fidelity, a psychological virtue characterized by the ability to relate to others and form genuine relationships. This ability plays an important role in the upcoming stage known as intimacy versus isolation. Causes There are various factors that contribute to whether a person forms a strong identity. Friends, family, schoolmates, other social groups, societal trends, and pop culture all play a role in shaping and forming identity. Different identities can also intersect to shape a person’s overall sense of self. Consequences of Role Confusion Role confusion can have lasting consequences on a person's life, including: Difficulties with commitment: A stable personal identity allows individuals to have better relationships with others.Worse mental health and well-being: Research has linked a strong sense of identity to better emotional and psychological well-being in adolescents.Weak sense of self: Role confusion has been found to lead to a weak sense of self.Lack of confidence: A lack of self-identity can make it difficult for people to have confidence in themselves and their abilities. How to Strengthen Identity No matter where you are in your life, there are things you can do to help build a stronger sense of identity. For example, thinking about what your values are helps solidify your identity. Core values are those things that are really important and meaningful to you and that motivate you and guide your decisions. It's important to spend time alone to get to know yourself better. Those quiet moments can help you focus on your priorities and improve your sense of self. Relatedly, learn to practice self-compassion, which can help you better understand and accept your flaws and limitations. Become skilled at things you enjoy. Taking time to find and practice hobbies can help you get greater acquainted with yourself. How to Decrease Role Confusion If you're feeling confused about who you are and your role in life, there are steps you can take to decrease role confusion. Build on your strengths. Identify the areas in your life in which you excel, and take time to develop and build on those strengths. Try new things to discover what you like. Think about your passions and interests. Brainstorm some ideas around things that excite you. Make commitments and set goals. While you can set goals in any part of your life, consider thinking about some common areas like health, career, finances, and education. Participate in activities that are related to your interests. Whether church events or clubs for sports, take the initiative to become part of something that interests you. If you or someone you love is struggling with identity issues that are creating distress or affecting your ability to cope with life, talk to a mental health professional. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Ever wonder what your personality type means? Sign up to find out more in our Healthy Mind newsletter. Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit 3 Sources Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Arnold ME. Supporting adolescent exploration and commitment: Identity formation, thriving, and positive youth development. J Youth Dev. 2017;12(4):1-15. doi:10.5195/jyd.2017.522 Ragelienė T. Links of adolescents identity development and relationship with peers: a systematic literature review. J Can Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2016;25(2):97-105. Block M. Identity versus role confusion. In: Goldstein S, Naglieri JA, eds. Encyclopedia of Child Behavior and Development. Springer US; 2011:785-786. doi:10.1007/978-0-387-79061-9_1447 Additional Reading Erikson EH. Childhood and Society, 2nd ed. Norton; 1963. Erikson EH. Identity: Youth and Crisis. Norton; 1968. Erikson EH. The Life Cycle Completed. Norton; 1982.