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Which of the following self-descriptions is typical of an adolescent?

a. "I am a girl, I like to play basketball, and I'm not very good at social studies."
b. "I am really serious and shy at school, but I'm the funny and crazy one with my friends."
c. "I have three brothers, my parents both work, and I love video games."
d. "I love scary movies, and I really like fishing with my parents."

User Jsuggs
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Final answer:

The typical adolescent self-description among the options provided is 'I am really serious and shy at school, but I'm the funny and crazy one with my friends.' which showcases the exploratory nature of adolescence and aligns with Erikson's theory of identity versus role confusion.

Step-by-step explanation:

Adolescents are in a stage of development where they are trying to establish a sense of self and independence. The question asks us to identify which of the self-descriptions provided is typical of an adolescent. The self-description 'I am really serious and shy at school, but I'm the funny and crazy one with my friends.' illustrates the dichotomy many adolescents experience as they adjust their behavior in different contexts to explore their identities.

This dichotomy aligns with Erikson's notion of identity versus role confusion, where adolescents are figuring out 'Who am I?' and 'Who do I want to be?' These self-descriptions are also reflective of the shifts in behavior that occur as relationships with peers become more central during this stage of development. Adolescents may present different aspects of their personality in various settings, often being one way at home or school and entirely different among friends. The process of navigating these roles can contribute to a strong sense of identity or lead to confusion if the adolescent feels pressure to conform to others' expectations.

User Neilprosser
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