The primary aim of the research summarized in this article was to develop instruments to measure the identity of young Jamaicans and then to apply these measures to a sample of students completing their first year of post secondary work. The examination of the relationship between identity and certain biographical, environmental personality and attitudinal variables, which are identified from the literature as relevant to the formation of the young person’s personality, is the second main objective of this research.
 
Because the term “identity” has different meanings to different people, and because no complete consensus of opinion exists on the Jamaican identity specifically, it is necessary first to discuss the concept of identity in general terms, then to define it operationally in its various spheres.