Identity Development

`Kroger has crafted a readable and coherent account of the lifelong process of identity development. Richly illustrated with case study material, the book skillfully integrates biological, social, and cultural perspectives on a phenomenon often viewed as primarily developing within the person. The book clearly demonstrates that identity development is not restricted to adolescence, but that it is a lifelong process of construction and transformation. Its unique focus is theoretically infused, yet not overburdened by technical jargon. It's ideally suited as a specialized text that could be used in courses on adolescent development, life-span human development, or personality development. It should also be very useful for people working in human services professions with client ranging in age from adolescence to the elderly' - Harold D.

Grotevant, University of Minnesota

This is the first book to cover identity development as an ongoing process of construction and transformation that extends through adulthood.

Jane Kroger skilfully integrates biological, social and cultural perspectives on a phenomenon often viewed as within the person. The author provides a unique focus which is theoretically infused, but not overburdened with technical jargon. She covers identity in relation to: adoption, unemployment, ethnicity, residential location, infertility and threats to physical integrity.

Richly illustrated throughout with case study material, the book enhances the reader's comprehension by providing:

{ summary tables

{ interviews and narrative excerpts which reveal how real people view and deal with identity issues

{ comparisons between theories and approaches to studying different types of identity issues

{ reviews of each chapter's material through section summaries and answers to the opening questions.