Applied Psychology in Hungary 2005-2006 [antikvár]

MEASURING IDENTITY STYLES: PROBLEMS AND CHALLENGES In the past years researchers havc identified the most important characteristics and detcrmining factors of identity development. In an integrative rcview of rcsearch on identity status and social cognition, Berzonsky (1988) proposed that the four identity statuses may reflect differcnt social-cognitive processing orientations, and he defincd processing oricntations or identity styles, namely, the normative, the diffusc/avoidant and the informational ones. The Identity Stylc Inventory (ISI-3), devcloped by Berzonsky (1992) is aimed to mcasure these styles. We piloted the ISI-3 in four differcnt times, with different samplcs. The results of the different statistical analyses (exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis, principal component analysis) proved that this mcasure is not rcliable in Hungary. We try to give somc interpretation for the possible reasons and alsó somc future perspectivcs in this paper. Introduction In the past years researchers have identified the most important characteristics and determining factors of identity development (e.g., family background, belonging to different SES, etc.; Rosenthal, 1986; Weinreich, 1985). The reviewer of literature conceming research on identity development in adolescence is immediately confronted with the problem of definition. Terms such as identity, self-concept, or selffeelings are frequently employed, often without clear defínitions being provided. For example, the term identity often appears in common-sense accounts of adolescent development, but its use differs according to the theoretical orientation involved. Sometimes it is used in a broad sense to refer to various aspects of development, but in a narrower sense it explains problems arising during adolescence (see Van der Werff, 1990). In our study we shall follow the defínition of Waterman (1984, pp. 331.) as follows: 'having a clearly delineated self-defmition comprised of those goals, values, and beliefs to which a person is unequivocally committed'. Van der Werff (1990) distinguished two separate approaches in identity research. The first of these is mainly theoretical and examines identity formation and self-actualisation. It describes how the individual integrates contrasting ideas about himself and creates an individual meaning of his life. The second one focuses on the individual's self-concept. This kind of research is directed to the issues of the self and the ways the ideas regarding the self are related to other variables.