One of the significant components of the identity formation process is identity exploration (e.g., Grotevant, 1987; Marcia, 1993). According to Flum and Kaplan (2006), the term “exploration” refers to a process and the actions deriving from it which are guided by the individual him/herself, or by means of external support in which the individual is involved in a reflective search for and investigation of information about him/herself or external information that is important for his/her development. The explorative process enables the individual to create meaning and advance his/her identity formation process.
Flum, H., & Kaplan, A. (2006). Exploratory orientation as an educational goal. Educational Psychologist, 41(2), 99-110. Grotevant, H. D. (1987). Toward a process model of identity formation. Journal of Adolescent Research, 2, 203–222. Marcia, J. E. (1993). Ego identity: A handbook for psychosocial research. New York: Springer-Verlag.