Identity Status Development and Cognitive Prejudice in Early Adolescents

Abstract
A sample of early adolescents (N = 182) completed a questionnaire assessing identity status development, social desirability, self-esteem, and cognitive prejudice. Bivariate correlation coefficients yielded relationships between cognitive prejudice and self-esteem and Ideological Diffusion; Interpersonal Foreclosure and social desirability; and Interpersonal Diffusion, Ideological Foreclosure, Total Foreclosure, and Total Diffusion. A stepwise regression analysis indicated the measures of Total Moratorium (negatively), Total Foreclosure and social desirability, and Interpersonal Diffusion as the strongest predictors of stereotypical thinking in the early adolescent sample.