A re-conceptualization of Erikson's identity stage.
This brief theoretical paper argues that Erikson's concept of identity was originally proposed as something constructed to a significant degree by the individual, i.e., an Instrumental Identity. With the decline in instrumentality in a consumer/service-oriented society, Erikson's original concept fits less well. A new conceptualization of identity, that of Existential Identity, is proposed. Thus, the earlier issue of success versus failure at achieving an Instrumental Identity has begun to give way to a new dimension--of being either a victim or a beneficiary in seeking an Existential Identity. Alternatively, the stage of "adolescence" can be viewed as a stage of seeking Instrumental Identity, and Keniston's new stage of "youth" as the locus of the new Existential Identity.
D000124:Achievement; D000293:Adolescent; D006233:Persons with Disabilities / Q000523:psychology; D004532:Ego; D005783:Gender Identity; D006801:Humans; D007062:Identification, Psychological; D010553:Personality Development; D012931:Social Environment