title: Short-term fluctuations in identity: introducing a micro-level approach to identity formation.
abstract: The present study was aimed at examining one relatively neglected part of the identity formation process: the short-term dynamics of identity formation. The short-term dynamics were assessed by examining (a) the day-to-day course of 2 key dimensions of identity formation (i.e., commitment and reconsideration) and (b) the impact of fluctuations in commitment and reconsideration on subsequent levels of these 2 dimensions. Longitudinal data on 580 early adolescents (54.8% boys, 45.2% girls) were used to test these assertions. The authors found evidence for a commitment-reconsideration dynamic that operated on a day-to-day basis. Furthermore, the findings confirmed E. H. Erikson's (1950) assertion that identity reflects a sense of sameness and continuity as a more stable identity (reflected by little day-to-day fluctuations) was predictive of higher levels of commitment and lower levels of reconsideration. Taken together, the present study underscores the importance of the short-term dynamics of identity formation.
authors.affiliation: Research Centre Adolescent Development, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands. t.a.klimstra@uu.nl
authors.forename: Theo A
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Klimstra
authors.forename: Koen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Luyckx
authors.forename: William A
authors.initials: WA
authors.lastname: Hale
authors.forename: Tom
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Frijns
authors.forename: Pol A C
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: van Lier
authors.forename: Wim H J
authors.initials: WH
authors.lastname: Meeus
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D041923:Adolescent Development; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D011581:Psychological Tests / Q000592:standards; D000297:Psychology, Adolescent; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012649:Self Concept; D012933:Social Identification; D013997:Time Factors