Final answer:
The stage from about 19 to 30 years old, centered around the acquisition of intimacy and leading towards generativity, is called b) Intimacy vs. Isolation. It corresponds to early adulthood and is a time for forming significant relationships, laying the groundwork for later stages of development.
Step-by-step explanation:
The stage of development from about age 19 to 30, where the focus is on the acquisition of intimacy at the beginning and the development of generativity at the end, is referred to as Intimacy vs. Isolation. This is the period known as early adulthood, often associated with key life transitions such as completing education, starting a career, and forming significant relationships. The length of this stage can vary significantly among individuals.
During early adulthood, the emphasis is on forming intimate relationships. If one fails to achieve this, they may feel lonely and emotionally isolated. Erik Erikson's theory of psychosocial development identifies this stage as critical for developing intimate bonds with others after achieving a firm sense of self in adolescence.
On the other hand, generativity is the focus of middle adulthood, where individuals work on making contributions through career, community, and family. Failure to achieve this may result in stagnation, characterized by a lack of productivity and self-improvement.