This essay aims to present the results of social psychology experiments and another approach that would support the above statement. First, Erikson's psychosocial theory through the eight-step approach is discussed in relation to the above statement. Second, the social psychology experiments of Tajfel et al (1971) are examined in relation to the concept of social identity theory (SIT); Erikson's theory asserted that people formed their identities across different cultures, communities, and historical periods. He also observed that the development of our personal identity can be affected by families and communities. Therefore, Erikson viewed identity as both personal and social and argued that the two were linked to construct a core identity. Erikson believed that stability and appreciation of who we are are necessary to develop a healthy core, in his words “self identity,” in order to have a stable future. He also viewed identity development as a lifelong process. Erikson identified “eight stages” through which identity develops from childhood to late adulthood. Each stage develops from the previous foundation. Erikson considered the 5th stage of adolescence to be one of the most important. It is at this stage that many young adults experience an identity crisis. This happens because they attempt to seek some independence from their parents while remaining financially and emotionally dependent. They attempt to pursue their independence by seeking employment, trying new relationships, and generally trying to fit into a particular social group. Sometimes this can lead to overidentification with groups due to the need to belong. Overidentification can lead to intolerance and aggression toward those who are... middle of paper ...... h prejudices of minor differences rather than major inequalities. To summarize, Erikson supports this claim, but he primarily focuses on the process of creating identity through identifying with similar types of people. He was interested in how adolescents go through an "identity crisis" to create (the ego identity) or how the inability to achieve a secure ego leads to role diffusion. Tajfel, however, takes this process further by discussing intergroup discrimination through social comparisons between different groups. If our self-esteem is to be preserved, our group must compare itself positively to other groups. He attempted to find the minimum conditions that would lead members of an in-group to discriminate against an out-group. Therefore, the pursuit of individuality means that people identify with who they are through terms of "we" rather than "I". ».’.