Development of an Objective Measure of Identity Achievement Status

Abstract

Summary A 24-item, objectively scorable scale for assessing identity achievement status (the IAS Scale) was developed through a modification of Marcia's Ego Identity Incomplete Sentence Blank. The IAS Scale revealed a one week test-retest reliability coefficient of .76, was significantly related to interview based rating of identity crisis-plus-identity commitment, correlates positively with the n Endurance scale and negatively with the n Succorance scale of the Edwards Personal Preference Schedule, and is significantly related to 7 of 12 scales in Shostrom's Personal Orientation Inventory. Discussion touches on future research use as well as the relationship of the identity construct to self-actualization.