Learning about Yourself: How Identity can Impact College Identity PowerPoint #2 Traditional age college students just out of high school are often challenged by new ideas, beliefs, and life styles. Considering change with so many options is even more challenging. Let’s Start with a Review Academic and Careers Felicia D.M. Just what mom and dad would want Values Life Style Just like mom Just like mom and dad want and dad Not focused Independent Just like mom on, or worried and searching and dad about, the future. How are they different ? How are they similar ? How will they change as they get older in college? Which comes first … what are the consequences? Felicia and Daniel Mark are about to enter college. They are in a stage of development that will impact their success. They each face issues in : adults in AchievementYoung college move & Career through this process from Foreclosure to Diffusion to Moratorium to Values Life Style Achievement in Careers, Values, and Lifestyle In college classes we use a lot of jargon. The theory we will talk about today labels these 4 categories as: Foreclosure, Diffusion, Moratorium, and Achievement. Foreclosure Diffusion Livin’ at Home Oh Well Just what mom and dad want Who Cares ? Felicia Daniel Mark Just like mom and dad Who Cares ? Felicia Just like mom and dad Felicia & DM Moratorium Achievement Dazed & Confused Taken the Next Step Independent Explored & Chosen a Career & Searching Independent & Searching Challenged their values & decided Daniel Mark Who Cares ? Independent & Searching Considered options & decided College Courses Study Theories Here are a couple theories you to help you understand YOU ! Erikson’s 8 Psychosocial Stages 1. Trust vs. Mistrust Infants 2. Autonomy vs. Doubt Toddlers 3. Initiative vs. Guilt Pre-School 4. Industry vs. Inferiority Elementary Students 5. Identity vs. Role Confusion High school & College 6. Intimacy vs. Isolation Adults 7. Generativity vs. Stagnation Old guys 8. Integrity vs. Despair Very Old Guys If you are less than 25 it is VERY likely you are in Identity vs. Role Confusion Erikson’s Stage for Adolescence & Young Adults Identity vs. Role Confusion Students in this stage are trying to discover who they are, what they believe, and what their life will be like after college. This often involves indecision, confusion, mood swings, and anxiety. College students ask “Who am I?” This is not an easy question to answer and can preoccupy their thinking. It is not unusual for students to question themselves and change their minds about their major, their boy/girl friend, and even the basic values they have always held (for example religion). They are looking for answers to 3 questions: What vocation should I pursue? What about my major? What will my future life style be? Should I get married? What is important in life and how do I decide right and wrong? James Marcia – Identity Formation Identity Foreclosure – Early commitment without exploring options. They are following what they have always been told. Felicia entered college in Foreclosure in Academics, Values, and Lifestyle. D.M. entered college in Foreclosure in Lifestyle No commitment, no exploration, and often not particularly interested in doing “the responsible thing.” This Identity Diffusion often includes an avoidance of decision making about the future. They often seem to not really care (“Oh, well!”) D.M. entered college in Diffusion in Academics and Careers Moratorium – Actively considering options. This is a stage of exploration and considering possibilities which causes anxiety and indecision. Students question the past and the future. They question past advice and decisions and worry about what the future holds. D.M. entered college in Moratorium in Values. Identity Achievement – After exploring options you identify you vocational goals, your own values and morals, and life style. Very few traditional age college students are in Achievement but many older college students are in Achievement in all areas. James Marcia – Identity Formation Commitment & Crises/Exploration COMMMITMENT C R I S E S N O NO YES Diffusion Foreclosure No commitment and have never really explored any options about careers, values, or lifestyle. Committed to careers, values, and lifestyles without any exploration of alternatives. Often commitments were decide long ago. Moratorium Identity Achievement and E X P L O R E Y E S Haven’t made a firm commitment to a career, values, or lifestyle but they are considering options. This takes a long time and a lot of exploring of options. What stage is most Problematic ? In your small Learning Communities discuss which stage of Identity is most likely to cause problems for college students and why? Use examples from your Potential Problem Students and discuss the problems of: Foreclosure Diffusion Moratorium Think in terms of Vital Behaviors for college success (attendance, assignments, engagement in class) and which of these behaviors might cause serious problems. What is your Stage of Identity? Interviewing your “Team” Foreclosure Careers & Academic Values & Morals Lifestyle Diffusion Moratorium Achievement Have you always wanted to be a certain occupation? Are you serious about college or primarily here to have fun? Do you change your mind about careers and majors? Do you care but get confused? Have you consider many occupations and feel confident with you choice? Have you ever considered other values? Do you spend time considering values in the decisions you make? Do you find yourself thinking about new values and ideas and considering other positions? Have you considered many options in your values? Are you open to listening to differences? Have you ever consider any other relationship? Are you ready to make a commitment or just playing the field? Are you considering changing your mind about your future relationships? Have you given careful thought to what you want in a relationship in the future? In your small Learning Community, interview each person after they explain which stage they are in (Foreclosure, Diffusion, Moratorium, or Achievement) for Careers, Values, and Lifestyle. You job is to CHALLENGE them with questions. Achievement & Careers How would they Study ? Foreclosure Diffusion Moratorium Achievement Trying to get a good grade for mom & dad? No Motivation to Study? Motivation problems and getting started? Very motivated but unsure of how to study In your Learning Community discuss how students in Foreclosure, Diffusion, Moratorium, and Achievement might prepare for a test. What might the differences be in: • Their motivation to do well on a test? • How they manage their time? • How much time they spend study for the test and when they start ? • How many questions they ask in class? Academic Majors Fair On Friday September 24th there will be an Academic Majors Fair in the Student Activities Center. You will have the opportunity to talk to professors in almost every major offered at IU South Bend. Bring your Academic & Career questions along and help yourself resolve your indecision, confusion, anxiety, and maybe even pick a major and career. Put this on your calendar !