Dual age identity

Social groups and categories are fundamental to how individuals understand themselves and others across the life span. The model of the dual age identity proposes that individuals hold two interrelated identities: (a) a fluid age-group identity that shifts as people grow older (e.g., teenager, young, middle-aged, and old people) and (b) a more enduring, permanent generational identity tied to shared historical experiences (e.g., Greatest Generation; Baby Boomer; Generation X; Millennials; Generation Z). These two identities often have opposing psychological consequences. As individuals age, they often distance themselves from older adults in response to negative age stereotypes, while simultaneously increasing their identification with their generation, which represents a psychological resource. In this review, we synthesize emerging evidence on dual age identity from two complementary perspectives: (1) an intragroup perspective conceptualizing generational identification as a resource for agency, continuity, and well-being, and (2) an intergroup perspective that highlights how relations between generations shape identity formation and intergenerational perceptions. Together, this research provides new insights into how dual age identity develops, when it becomes salient, and why it matters for development and aging, highlighting how individuals adapt to aging-related change and understand their social place in a rapidly-changing world.