In psychology, identification is the unconscious ability of an individual to accept the values, behaviors, or attitudes of other persons or groups. It is also considered a way of forming a unique self, particularly in childhood and adolescence, when learners seek advice from parents, peers, or other models.
For instance, a child has the habit of imitating a parent. In doing so, the child learns to internalize some of the parent’s mannerisms, personality traits, and patterns of speech. Still, identification is not restricted to childhood; in adulthood, a person is likely to identify with a mentor, a cultural icon, or a community to enhance their self-image and sense of sociability. Freud hypothesized the mechanism in personality development that identification with a particular figure is the key focus in explaining an Oedipus complex. With time, the focus has shifted to analyzing how an individual relates to other people, performs a social role, and develops social values.
There is evidence that identification has negative and positive consequences. It is positive, for instance, when a person identifies with role models who nurture self-confidence, resilience, and prosocial behaviors. Identification is detrimental when the role models a person identifies with are negative or unhealthy, reinforcing maladaptive behavior or patterns. Identification, thus, illustrates the social and relational context that lends personal behavior and identity to a self.