Abstract

The present study had three major purposes as follows ; 1) to explore the relations of individuation separation with adolescence egocentrism ; 2) to identify the relationship between the ability of adjustment and the egocentrism, in order to confirm the negative influence of the egocentrism on adolescent development ; 3) to establish the content validation of imaginary audience and personal fable, which are the subconstructs of adolescence egocentrism. Eight hundred and thirty-two Korean adolescents, who are composed of 293 in early ( average age ; 12.8, man ; 138 / woman ; 155 ), 291 in middle (average age 15.7, man ; 141 / woman ; 150), and 248 in late adolescents (average age 19.8, man ; 108 / woman ; 140), answered the adolescence egocentrism scales(NIAS / NPFS), the secondary individuation separation scales(SITA), and the self-image scales(SIQYA). Data analysis revealed that individuation separation was positively and linearly related with egocentrism, which agreed with Lapsley's hypothesis(1987). Especially, even though both imaginary audience and personal fable are the subconstructs of adolescence egocentrism, they were correlated with different domains of individuation separation ; imaginary audience is related with separation anxiety, while personal fable is related with self-involvement and need denial. It also showed that imaginary audience had negative correlation with all domains of self-image, while personal fable was positively related with them. From these results altogether it can be concluded that imaginary audience and personal fable are different concepts and also have different effects on adjustment. Consequently, it is suggested that both imaginary audience and personal fable may not be the subconstructs of adolescence egocentrism, but rather indicate two distinctive adolescent phenomena.