Final answer:
Individuals in identity foreclosure are characterized by inflexibility and a black-and-white worldview, having prematurely committed to an identity without self-exploration.
Step-by-step explanation:
Individuals who are in identity foreclosure tend to be inflexible and view the world in black and white terms. Identity foreclosure is a term from developmental psychology, particularly within Erikson's stages of psychological development. During adolescence, a critical stage of development, individuals often explore various roles and beliefs to develop a sense of personal identity. However, those in identity foreclosure have prematurely committed to an identity, usually one prescribed by their parents or authority figures, without this period of exploration. As a result, they might demonstrate a rigid approach to thinking and a tendency to overlook the complexities of life and human experience. This is contrasted with identity moratorium, where individuals are actively exploring and attempting to define their identity, or identity achievement, the stage in which individuals have explored options and made commitments to certain goals, values, and beliefs. Identity diffusion, on the other hand, represents a lack of direction or commitment to any identity.