Final answer:
Option c, 'Independence; heightened risk-taking behavior', correctly fills the blanks based on the provided textbook information which associates traits of independence in adolescence with increased risk-taking behaviors.
Step-by-step explanation:
Based on information from the textbook, among both males and females, many traits traditionally labeled as independence are associated in adolescence with heightened risk-taking behavior. This understanding aligns with findings in psychological and social studies that suggest a link between early maturity, especially in boys, and an increase in behaviors like substance abuse and early sexual activity, which are forms of risk-taking. Similarly, girls facing early puberty may also engage in risky behaviors due to societal pressures and body image issues. During adolescence, a period of significant development and identity formation, individuals often test and negotiate societal norms, including traits traditionally ascribed to gender roles such as aggression, passivity, or independence.