Erikson's concept of identity has become a central focus for studying adolescent development. Identity is a psychosocial construct involving the creation of a sense of sameness and continuity, a unity of personality achieved through a process of crisis and commitment. Although culture is a factor in Erikson's theory, research on adolescent identity development has not usually included ethnicity. This study examined ethnicity as one of the issues to be resolved in the development of an achieved identity, comparable to other widely studied issues such as occupation or sex roles. Questionnaires were given to male and female urban college students (N=196) from four groups (Asian-American, Black, Mexican-American, and White). The questionnaire assessed ethnic identity, ethnic identity commitment, achieved ethnic identity, achieved occupational and achieved sex role identity, importance of identity domains, self-esteem, and demographics. Achieved ethnic identity correlated significantly with achieved occupational and sex role identity. Exploration of ethnic identity issues was significantly higher among minority group college students than among white students, but the groups did not differ on commitment to an ethnic identity. Ethnicity was considered to be as important as other traditionally studied areas of identity, and was rated as significantly more important by minorities than by whites. (ABL)