Adolescence stage in Erikson's psychosocial theory.

• A. Trust vs mistrust
• B. Autonomy vs shame
• C. Intimacy vs isolation
• D. Identity vs role confusion

Answer: (D)

During adolescence, the main task is developing a unified sense of self—identity—and figuring out who you are, what you believe, and what direction you want your life to take. Teens explore different roles, values, and career paths, testing commitments until they can form a coherent identity. When this process succeeds, they gain a stable sense of self that supports healthy relationships and future plans. If identity exploration is incomplete or blocked, role confusion can occur, leaving the person unsure about beliefs, goals, or their place in the world, which can lead to indecision or wavering commitments. This stage is distinct from trust vs mistrust in infancy, autonomy vs shame in early childhood, and intimacy vs isolation in young adulthood, helping to place adolescence as the period of identity formation.