How many identity statuses are described by James Marcia?

• A. Four
• B. Two
• C. Three
• D. Five

Answer: (A)

James Marcia’s theory describes four identity statuses, based on two dimensions: exploration and commitment. Exploration means actively questioning and trying out different roles, values, and beliefs, while commitment means settling on and embracing certain values or goals. When you combine high or low levels of these dimensions, you get four patterns: diffusion (low exploration and low commitment); foreclosure (low exploration but high commitment, often adopting someone else’s values); moratorium (high exploration but low commitment, exploring options without settling on one); and achievement (high exploration followed by high commitment, after careful exploration). Because these four combinations capture all the possibilities, there are four identity statuses described by Marcia.