Psychology

Identity is the highlight of adolescence in ones life. The search for, confusion over, crisis and commitment to identity amidst radical physical changes is what defines the period of adolescence. Erikson (as cited by Papalia, Olds  Feldman, 2004) points out that resolving the crisis of identity versus identity confusion, so as to become a unique adult with a coherent sense of self and a valued role in society is the chief task at the time of adolescence (p.425).

Part I
Brian Johnson (Anthony Michael Hall), Andrew Clark (Emilio Estevez), Allison Reynolds (Ally Sheedy), Claire Standish (Molly Ringwald) and John Bender (Judd Nelson) were all high school students brought together by Saturday detention for their own different reasons. Each were from a different stereotype as the film so conveniently put it, they were each a brain, an athlete, a basket case, a princess and a criminal all subject to a certain biases attached to their stereotypical profiles. Each had a preconceived notion or idea about every other person and found that though they are all different, they did not expect to find that every single one of them goes through some sort of pressure from peers and family.

Principal Vernon was first to pass judgment on them making them write an essay asking Who do you think you are For Brians case, he is labeled a nerd or a brain. Everyone believes he is at a stage of identity achievement where, as Marcia puts it, one has gone through a decision making period and is pursuing self-chosen occupation and ideological goals (as cited by Adelson, 1980, p. 111). As for Andrew, while Brian is driven to achieve academically, Andrew is driven to excel in sports. He is seen as a popular jock with nothing to worry about. However, he describes himself as a racing horse which signals that he fits into the state of foreclosure where Marcia (as cited by Papalia, Olds  Feldman, 2004) characterizes the level as commitment without crisis and it is where choices are made for the person. Like Allison said, he cant think for himself. Allison, however, receives no other judgment but is labeled a weirdo. She is constantly ignored by her parents she came to detention because she had nothing better to do.  Claire is portrayed as the typical popular girl, a princess even. Like Andrew, people think she has everything as it looks like she gets everything she wants. Finally, Bender is seen as a trouble-maker, a rebel who wont answer to authority. People think he doesnt care about anyone but himself and that hell never achieve anything in life.

Part II
At the beginning of the movie, each of the five main characters already had some sort of prejudice against each other. Each thought that all there was to the other person was their stereotype and nothing more. There was a striking point where Claire made a remark on how Brians clubs were academic clubs and werent the same as other clubs. Another scene depicted Bender being told that he doesnt count and that he could disappear and no one would care. Because of Benders trouble-maker image, everyone meets him with a biased, negative air.

Because adolescence is marked so much by identity, cliques are an unavoidable feature. We see discrimination due to that during the scene where Brian asked what would happen when Monday comes along. He wondered if they were all still friends and would treat each other as such. Claire answered an honest no. They all argued on it. Brian and Allison said that they wouldnt do that because it was wrong but Claire claimed that it was different for people like her and Andy because people looked up to them. Brian replied by saying that Claire was so conceited and Claire answered back saying that she hates having to go with everything her friends say and wrongly judged that Brian doesnt understand pressure.

Part III
Towards the end of the movie, the five adolescents find that they arent as different as they thought. Everyone thinks Brian has a brilliant home life because of his stereotype as a geek-figure. However, Brian disproves that his life is as perfect as his fellow detention-mates claim. He doesnt get along with his parents, he doesnt like what he sees when he steps out to reflect on himself, and the pressure to achieve is intense on him. Andrew is thought to be a big-shot jock but actually only did what got him into detention to live up to his fathers expectations.  Bender shares a category with Allison, somewhat, as his parents dont really see a future for him and his home life is very chaotic. They both fall within Marcias identity diffusion where there is no commitment, no crisis, parents arent so involved and personality problems arise. Benders defining moment is when he sacrificed himself so that his new found friends wouldnt get caught. As for Claire, someone thought to have everything, she proved that she didnt. At home, she feels that her parents only use her to get back at each other. She is going through moratorium where shes finding herself but just hasnt found that commitment yet (Adams  Berzonsky, 2006, p.208). She is unsure with how to deal with parental authority and fits well with the personality trait attached to  moratorium as one who has high levels of ego, development, moral reasoning and self-esteem (Papalia, Olds  Feldman, 2004,  p.428)

Moral Reasoning, according to Adelson, accompanies identity development. Those high in identity tend to exhibit postconventional levels of moral reasoning while those lower in identity are at the preconventional or conventional levels. Such is true for Brian and Claire. As for autonomy, Adelson is right in saying that those classified as foreclosures or diffusions are low on self-directedness. This applies to Andrew, who cant think for himself, and to Allison and Bender, who seem to have no direction in life.