Identity Formation: Discovery or Creation?

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Abstract
The contrasting metaphors of discovery and creation are proposed here as alternative ways of understanding the nature of the task of identity formation. These two metaphors are related to the philosophies of eudaimonisn and existentialism, respectively. The processes of discovery and creation are shown to have distinctive theoretical implications regarding (a) the sources of identity elements, (b) the methods used in the evaluation of competing identity alternatives, and (c) the decision-making level on which a resolution of an identity crisis is most likely to be reached. Some practical implications of the two metaphors for counseling adolescents and others with identity concerns are also presented.