A defense mechanism, operating unconsciously, by which one patterns oneself after some other person. Identification plays a major role in the development of one’s personality and specifically of the superego, to be differentiated from imitation or role modeling, which is a conscious process.
The act of discovering or stating who someone is or what something is.
In psychology, adoption of the traits and characteristics of another person; it is a normal part of personality development, as in a child identifying with the parent of the same sex.
The process of adopting other people’s characteristics more or less permanently. Identification with a parent is important in personality formation, and has been especially implicated in the development of a moral sense and of an appropriate sex role.
In psychology, identification is the term used to describe the unconscious adoption of another person’s traits or behavior. In children, this process of identifying with an older person, typically a parent, is considered a natural aspect of development.