dentity Formation: Erikson's Theory of Psychosocial Development When psychologists talk about a person's identity, they are referring to the values,beliefs, and ideals that guide the individual's behavior (Erikson, 1964a; Marcia,1991). Our sense of personal identity gives us an integrated and continuing sense of self over time. Identity formation is a process that continues throughout the lifespan.As we embrace new and different roles over the course of our lives, we define ourselves in new ways (Erikson & others, 1986; Grotevant, 1992). For the first time in the lifespan, the adolescent possesses the cognitive skills necessary for dealing with identity issues in a meaningful way (Habermas & Bluck, 2000). Beginning in early adolescence, self-definition shifts. Preadolescent children tend to describe themselves in very concrete social and behavioral terms. An 8-year-