The Evolution of Eriksonian and, Neo-Eriksonian Identity Theory and Research: A Review and Integration

The evolution of the study of identity development is traced from Freud’s early writ-ings to Erikson’s extrapolations and theoretical expositions, Marcia’s empirical oper-ationalization, and finally to 6 alternative theories that have been introduced since 1987 (Berzonsky, Grotevant, Waterman, Kurtines, Adams, and Côté). The issues of measurement and intervention, which have been crucial to the evolution of identity as a researchable construct, are also reviewed. The alternative theories are conceptu-alized as addressing aspects of Erikson’s work that were not addressed by Marcia’s identity status model. To facilitate the broadening of identity theory to include more of Erikson’s ideas, taxonomies for understanding relations among the alternative the-ories, and a system for integrating them, is introduced. Finally, suggestions for the de-velopment of future identity theory and research are off e e d. Questions of identity have become central to many people’s lives, especially as they make the transition from childhood to adulthood. The young person may spend years asking questions such as: Who am I? What are my values and goals? What is my life purpose? What makes me different from other people? Am I real-ly the same person from one year, or decade, to the next? These questions can play a central role in identity development during the adolescent and youth period as well as through adulthood (e.g., Erikson, 1980; Stephen, Fraser, & Marcia, 1992). But, what exactly is identity, and how does it develop during different periods of the life course? To what extent is identity formed as an individual project, to what extent is it a function of interacting in social and cultural contexts, and to what ex-Requests for reprints should be sent to Seth J. Schwartz, Center for Family Studies,