Fifty Years Since “Identity: Youth and Crisis”: A Renewed Look at Erikson’s Writings on Identity

Abstract

This introductory analysis presents the content of the special issue entitled "Fifty years since 'Identity: Youth and Crisis': A renewed look at Erikson's writings on identity." The authors of the nine thought pieces that compose this special issue were invited to direct the attention of readers of Identity to aspects of Eriksonian thought that they believe have been left undeveloped or underdeveloped. A number of powerful and relevant topics were raised in this collection. Authors call upon identity scholars to engage more fully with the relational, contextual, interactional, and cultural components of Erikson's theory, including analysis of identity development within the context of important relationships; the advent of the Internet as a context for identity development; and greater acknowledgement of the impact of forces of marginalization and oppression on identity development. In addition, articles in this special issue explore difficult or problematic aspects of identity development that have been relatively neglected in previous research, including negative identity, identity crisis, and pseudospeciation. A deeper analysis of epigenetic processes of development is offered, as is an analysis of Erikson's implication of the unconscious in identity development. Together this collection of essays provides a framework for moving research based in Eriksonian theory forward.

Phenomenology of the professional crisis of the teacher during the online learning

“…A crisis is a turning point in the life of an individual. It arises when a certain level of maturity is reached and poses new social challenges to the person (Schachter & Galliher, 2018). Their successful overcoming ensures selfidentification, an increase in the sense of the purpose of life, and personality integration (Robinson et al, 2013).…”

Identity 20-Year Anniversary: Time to Celebrate and Start a New Journey

“…Since its inception, the journal has published 12 special issues that have provided insightful reviews of the state-of-the-art of the identity field (e.g., "Meta-analytic studies of identity status and personality", Martinussen & Kroger, 2013), critically reflecting and providing innovative views on its theoretical underpinnings (e.g., "Fifty years since 'Identity: Youth and Crisis': A renewed look at Erikson's writings on identity", Schachter & Galliher, 2018), providing novel evidence on factors that contribute to identity formation (e.g., "Identity agents: A focus on those purposefully involved in the identity of others", Schachter & Marshall, 2010), and addressing how strongly identity matters for individuals' well-being and adjustment (e.g., "Psychosocial identity and well-being", Waterman, 2007).…”

Toward an Understanding of the Experiences of Deaf Gay Men: An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis to an Intersectional View

“…The literature relating to identity has grown rapidly over the last few decades, recognizing the significance of identity on the psychological life of individuals and its importance for communities and in society (Bauman, 1996;Cote, 1996;Schachter & Galliher 2018). Nevertheless, the term 'identity' is ubiquitous and has varied definitions.…”