Abstract
This study examined the performance of male and female identity statuses on achievement-related variables to clarify whether the four identity positions have different consequences for men and women. Previous research had suggested that an identity crisis period (achievement and moratorium) was more adaptive for males, while identity commitment, with or without a crisis period (achievement and foreclosure), was more adaptive for females. Identity status was determined for 111 college men and women who were tested for nAchievement, fear of success, fear of failure, and self-esteem. As predicted, identity achievement and moratorium men and women scored higher in achievement motivation and self-esteem than foreclosure and diffusion subjects. However, while diffusions and foreclosures were highest in fear of success of the male statuses, moratoriums and achievements were highest in fear of success of the female statuses. Contrary to previous research, the results indicate that moratorium women resemble identity achievements more than foreclosure women do, at least on achievement-related and self-concept variables, and suggest reasons why moratorium has appeared in past research to be a less adaptive status and foreclosure a more adaptive status for women.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Alpert, R., and Haber, R. N. (1960). Anxiety in academic achievement situations.J. Abnorm. Soc. Psychol. 61: 207–215.
Atkinson, J. W. (ed.). (1958).Motives in Fantasy, Action, and Society, Van Nostrand, Princeton.
Bob, S. (1968). An investigation of the relationship between identity status, cognitive style, and stress. Unpublished doctoral dissertation, State University of New York at Buffalo.
Cabellero, C. M., Giles, P., and Shaver, P. (1975). Sex role traditionalism and fear of success.Sex Roles 1: 319–326.
Cross, H. J., and Allen, J. G. (1970). Ego identity status, adjustment, and academic achievement.J. Consult. Clin. Psychol. 34(2): 288.
Donovan, J. M. (1975). Identity status and interpersonal style.J. Youth Adoles. 4: 37–55.
Erikson, E. H. (1959). Identity and the life cycle.Psychol. Iss. No. 1.
Erikson, E. H. (1963).Childhood and society, 2nd ed., Norton, New York.
Good, L. R., and Good, K. C. (1973). An objective measure of the motive to avoid success.Psychol. Rep. 33: 1009–1010.
Heilbrun, A. B. Jr., Kleemeier, C., and Piccola, G. (1974). Developmental and situational correlates of achievement behavior in college females.J. Personal. 42: 420–436.
Hoffman, L. W. (1974). Fear of success in males and females: 1965 to 1972.J. Consult. Clin. Psychol. 42: 353–358.
Horner, M. (1968). Sex differences in achievement motivation and performance in competitive and noncompetitive situations. Unpublished doctoral dissertation, University of Michigan.
Horner, M. (1972). Toward an understanding of achievement-related conflicts in women.J. Soc. Iss. 28: 157–175.
Howard, M. R. (1975). Ego identity status in women, fear of success and performance in a competitive situation. Unpublished doctoral dissertation, State University of New York at Buffalo.
Jordan, D. (1971). Parental antecedents and personality characteristics of ego identity statuses. Unpublished doctoral dissertation, State University of New York at Buffalo.
Marcia, J. E. (1966). Development and validation of ego identity status.J. Personal. Soc. Psychol. 3: 551–558.
Marcia, J. E. (1967). Ego identity status: Relationship to change in self-esteem, “general maladjustment” and authoritarianism.J. Personal. 35: 118–133.
Marcia, J. E., and Friedman, M. L. (1970). Ego identity status in college women.J. Personal. 38: 249–263.
McClelland, D. C., Atkinson, J. W., Clark, R. A., and Lowell, E. L. (1953).The Achievement Motive, Appleton-Century-Crofts, New York.
Orlofsky, J. L. Marcia, J. E., and Lesser, I. M. (1973). Ego identity status and the intimacy vs. isolation crisis of young adulthood.J. Personal. Soc. Psychol. 27(2): 211–219.
Podd, M. (1969). An investigation of the relationship between ego identity status and level of moral development. Unpublished doctoral dissertation, State University of New York at Buffalo.
Schenkel, S. (1972). The relationship between ego identity status, field dependence, and traditional femininity in college women. Unpublished doctoral dissertation, State University of New York at Buffalo.
Schenkel, S., and Marcia, J.E. (1972). Attitudes toward premarital intercourse in determining ego identity status in college women.J. Personal. 40: 472–482.
Spence, J. T. (1974). The Thematic Apperception Test and attitudes toward achievement in women: A new look at the motive to avoid success and a new method of assessment.J. Consult. Clin. Psychology 42: 427–437.
Toder, N. L., and Marcia, J. E. (1973). Ego identity status and response to conformity pressure in college women.J. Personal. Soc. Psychol. 26(2): 287–294.
Waterman, C. K., and Waterman, A. S. (1974). Ego identity status and decision styles.J. Youth Adoles. 3(1): 1–6.
Waterman, C. K., Buebel, M. E., and Waterman, A. S. (1970). Relationship between resolution of the identity crisis and outcomes of previous psychological crises. InProceedings of the 78th Annual Convention of the American Psychological Association 5, 467–468 (Summary).
Zuckerman, M., and Wheeler, L. (1975). To dispel fantasies about the fantasy-based measure of fear of success.Psychol. Bull. 82: 932–946.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
This research was supported by University of Missouri Summer Research Fellowship 3694-1100.
Received his Ph.D. in clinical psychology at the State University of New York at Buffalo in 1974. Primary research interest is personality development during late adolescence and young adulthood, particularly identity formation and the development of an intimate mode of interpersonal relationships. Also involved in research on sex roles and psychological androgyny.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Orlofsky, J.L. Identity formation, nAchievement, and fear of success in college men and women. J Youth Adolescence 7, 49–62 (1978). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01538686
Received:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01538686