In Erikson’s theory, which stage describes the adolescent's struggle to establish a personal identity and direction?

In Erikson’s theory, which stage describes the adolescent's struggle to establish a personal identity and direction?

• A. Initiative versus guilt
• B. Integrity versus despair
• C. Intimacy versus isolation
• D. Identity versus role confusion

Answer: (D)

In Erikson’s theory, the stage that sits with adolescence is identity versus role confusion. This is when teens actively explore different selves, values, beliefs, career ideas, and relationships to figure out who they are and where they’re headed. A successful resolution means a coherent sense of self and a clear direction for the future, which supports commitments in relationships and adult life. If this process is unclear, a teen may feel uncertain about their place in the world and drift between identities, which is role confusion. This contrasts with initiative versus guilt from early childhood, which centers on autonomy and planning; intimacy versus isolation in young adulthood, which focuses on forming close relationships; and integrity versus despair in older adulthood, which involves reflecting on life with acceptance or regret.

In Erikson’s theory, the stage that sits with adolescence is identity versus role confusion. This is when teens actively explore different selves, values, beliefs, career ideas, and relationships to figure out who they are and where they’re headed. A successful resolution means a coherent sense of self and a clear direction for the future, which supports commitments in relationships and adult life. If this process is unclear, a teen may feel uncertain about their place in the world and drift between identities, which is role confusion. This contrasts with initiative versus guilt from early childhood, which centers on autonomy and planning; intimacy versus isolation in young adulthood, which focuses on forming close relationships; and integrity versus despair in older adulthood, which involves reflecting on life with acceptance or regret.