Adolescent's search for identity : an examination of how this is portrayed in a selection of New Zealand young adult fiction

Abstract

Seven modern award winning examples of New Zealand young adult fiction are examined to discover the way authors treat identity formation in the young adult characters they have created. The importance of these characters as role models for readers is also discussed. Erik Erikson's developmental stage of "identity versus role confusion", and Albert Bandura's modelling thoery are used as the major theoretical frameworks. An assessment of the variety of models being currently provided is made, resulting in a strengthening of the initial hypothesis, that the range and variety, is limited.