Relation between ego identity and time perspective in adolescents

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to clarify how Marcia's four ego identity status groups differed in regard to the affective (cognitive-motivational) aspect of time perspective. Subjects were 150 male and 135 female undergraduates. They were administered the following three questionnaires: 1) Time attitude scale, composed of 20 pairs of adjectives to measure attitude toward personal past, present and future; 2) Circles Test, measuring relation among personal past, present and future; 3) Kato's (1983) identity status questionnaire, made of 12 questions concerning present commitment, past crisis and future pursuit. The main results were as follows: 1) Attainment and Moratorium drew three circles more integrated patterns than on Foreclosure and Diffusion; 2) Diffusion had the most negative attitude toward their personal past, present and future. Foreclosure was found the most positive, while Attainment and Moratorium ranked intermediate. From the above results, it was suggested that Attainment had the most realistic and planned attitude toward the future. © 1993, The Japanese Association of Educational Psychology. All rights reserved.