Abstract

This Study examined the reliability and validity of the Extended Objective Measure of Ego Identity Status(EOM-EIS2)(Bennion & Adams, 1986) in college students. The EOM-EIS2 is an continuous scaling instrument designed to measure identity status directly. Ease of group administration is it's distinct advantage compared to interview method. The EOM-EIS2 was found to have acceptable reliability(both internal consistency and test-retest) and validity(factorial, discriminant, and concurrent). It was established that responses to the EOM-EIS2 were not seriously contaminated by social desirability. Status scores from the EOM-EIS2 were correlated with subscale scores of the Ego Identity Scale as was expected. After identity status classification, status group means of the Ego Identity Scale's subscale scores were compared. Results indicated that identity status groups were classified adequately, which suggested that the EOM-EIS2 was valid and useful measure in identity study. Finally, the problem of identity status classification rules and the advantages/disadvantages of the EOM-EIS2 were discussed.