Final answer:
Joshua, finishing middle school and acting differently in different social contexts, is in the identity versus role confusion stage of adolescence.
This stage involves experimenting with different roles to develop a personal identity, and success in this stage results in a strong sense of self. Option c is the correct answer.
Step-by-step explanation:
Joshua is just finishing middle school and he acts differently depending on who he is with. He is in the identity versus role confusion stage. During adolescence, which typically includes ages 12-18, the main challenge for individuals is to develop a strong sense of self and personal identity.
Adolescents like Joshua often experiment with different roles and behaviors, trying to understand where they fit in. They ask themselves "Who am I?" and "What do I want to do with my life?" as they search for their identity. This can lead to adopting different personas in different social contexts.
Adolescents who navigate this stage successfully are able to maintain their beliefs and values despite external pressures, which results in a strong personal identity. Apathetic adolescents, or those under heavy pressure to conform, might not engage in this exploration, leading to a weak self-concept and role confusion.
Joshua's behaviour is a natural part of his development, and it reflects the crucial work of personal exploration during adolescence as described by Erikson's theory of psychosocial development.