Final answer:
James Marcia identified four statuses of adolescent identity development based on the issues of commitment and exploration: identity diffusion, foreclosure, moratorium, and achievement, which are part of the broader theory of psychosocial development by Erikson.
Step-by-step explanation:
James Marcia's Adolescent Identity Classification
According to James Marcia, adolescent identity can be classified into one of four statuses that are based on the exploration of and commitment to different identities. This framework views identity as a process of development in which adolescents deal with the key issues of values, beliefs, and goals. The four statuses of identity described by Marcia are identity diffusion, identity foreclosure, identity moratorium, and identity achievement.
Identity diffusion is characterized by a lack of both exploration and commitment to any values or goals. Identity foreclosure happens when individuals commit to values or roles that are prescribed to them without exploring other options. Identity moratorium describes adolescents who are actively exploring different identities but have not yet committed to one. Finally, identity achievement refers to a strong sense of commitment to particular values and goals following a period of exploration.
These concepts are an extension of Erikson's stages of psychosocial development, which assert that the main challenge in adolescence is the task of identity formation versus experiencing role confusion. During this period, adolescents may question aspects like "Who am I?" and "What do I want to do with my life?" as they progress toward developing a cohesive sense of self.