The role of gender in adolescent identity and intimacy decisions

This study explored the relative importance of identity and intimacy in mal e and female adolescent decisions. One hundred twenty adolescents responded to 16 identity/intimacy dilemmas. Females had higher identity (and lower i ntimacy) scores than males. Identity scores were higher in scenarios with f emale protagonists. A content analysis of decision explanations showed fema les gave more explanations than males with identity and intimacy fused. Imp lications for theories of psychosocial development are discussed.