Toward a Microprocess Perspective on Adolescent Identity Development: An Identity Control Theory Approach

An abundance of research has been conducted on identityformation during adolescence, however, very little is bwwn about the processes that actually drive identity development. Furthermore, limited attention has been paid to the active influence of relationships with parents and peers on identity. Recentl, control theory has-been recognized as a useful framewor*from which to examine the microprocesses involved in identityformation. The purpose of this article is to describe identity development from this microprocess perspective and to extend the Grotevant model of identity formation processes. When applied to identity, control theory brings attennon to such intrapersonal factors as identity standards and self-perceptions, and such interpersonal factors as reflected appraisals and social behaviors as major contrbutors to the process of identity development. Implicationsfor using identty control theory to elaborate the identity statuses, to understand reciprocal identity influences in interpersonal relationships, and to drive methodologies used to exanune identity processes, are offered.