Ego identity status, conformity behavior, and personality in late adolescence

Abstract

Three related studies were completed to test the predictive relation among identity status, personality, and conformity behavior. The investigations were undertaken to replicate the earlier research findings of Toder and Marcia (1973). As predicted in Study 1, personality differences were found for both sexes. However, no relation was observed between identity status and conformity on the Asch task. Study 2 was completed to confirm the reliability of the identity status measure. Finally, in Study 3 four measures of conformity behavior (peer assessments, an experimental task, two self-report scales) were completed by college students of diffusion, foreclosure, moratorium, and identity-achievement statuses. Diffusion students were most influenced by peer pressure conformity, whereas identity-achievement students were most likely to report engaging in conformity behavior for achievement gains. Although earlier research by Toder and Marcia (1973) was not replicated via the Asch conformity task, the third study does support a predicted relation between identity and conformity behavior.