Sixteen-year-old Geneva believes that the death penalty is wrong because her parents, friends, and church say so. She has never really thought about the issue, but she has accepted this view as her own. This pattern of following what her parents and peers say and do is pervasive throughout most of her beliefs and behaviors. Which identity state do you think Geneva is in?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Geneva's acceptance of her parents' and peers' beliefs without thinking about them herself is characteristic of foreclosure, where an individual adopts an identity without exploring other options or possibilities. In contrast, in the achievement identity state, an individual has explored different options and made a commitment to a particular identity. In diffusion, individuals have not yet explored different options or made commitments, and in moratorium, they are actively exploring different options but have not yet made a commitment.

Sixteen-Year-Old Geneva Believes That the Death Penalty Is Wrong Because