This study builds on Erik Erikson's "Identity: Youth and Crisis," and describes in detail what social possibilities the adolescent usually considers when cognitively searching the environment, and describes how the understanding of the possibilities enhances or thwarts identity formation. (Author/KC)

Discusses the concept of egocentrism and its relation to cognitive development. Describes the major stages of egocentrism: sensori-motor, preoperational, concrete operational, and adolescent egocentrism. Focuses on research support for the theory of adolescent egocentrism. Discusses educational implications. (RC)