Which Erikson stage centers on developing a personal identity and clarifying life goals during adolescence?

Which Erikson stage centers on developing a personal identity and clarifying life goals during adolescence?

• A. Autonomy vs Shame and Doubt.
• B. Trust vs Mistrust.
• C. Intimacy vs Isolation.
• D. Identity vs Role Confusion.

Answer: (D)

Adolescence is the period when individuals actively develop a personal identity and clarify life goals. This is Erikson's Identity vs Role Confusion stage. When teens explore who they are, what they believe, and what path they want to take, they can form a coherent sense of self and a clear direction for the future. If this exploration is rushed or inconsistent, they may experience role confusion, feeling uncertain about their place in the world or which roles to assume as an adult. Other stages address different life periods and tasks—for example, trust vs mistrust focuses on early infancy and basic reliability of care, autonomy vs shame and doubt centers on gaining independence in early childhood, and intimacy vs isolation concerns forming close relationships in young adulthood.

Adolescence is the period when individuals actively develop a personal identity and clarify life goals. This is Erikson's Identity vs Role Confusion stage. When teens explore who they are, what they believe, and what path they want to take, they can form a coherent sense of self and a clear direction for the future. If this exploration is rushed or inconsistent, they may experience role confusion, feeling uncertain about their place in the world or which roles to assume as an adult. Other stages address different life periods and tasks—for example, trust vs mistrust focuses on early infancy and basic reliability of care, autonomy vs shame and doubt centers on gaining independence in early childhood, and intimacy vs isolation concerns forming close relationships in young adulthood.