Final answer:
Ethnic minority adolescents often become sensitive to discrimination, affecting their identity development. Racial socialization by caregivers plays a crucial role in shaping their in-group attitudes and overall sense of self. However, apathy towards identity exploration can lead to role confusion and a weaker self-concept.
Step-by-step explanation:
Many ethnic minority adolescents become sensitive to negative feedback, discrimination, and inequality from the majority group during their identity formation. According to Erikson's theory, the main task for adolescents is developing a sense of self, a process which can be complex for ethnic minority youths. These teenagers often receive racial socialization from caregivers, which shapes their attitudes and beliefs towards their in-group and informs their identity development. In contrast, apathetic adolescents who do not engage with identity exploration may experience role confusion and a weak sense of self. Furthermore, the saliency of ethnic identity among minority adolescents in contrast to their majority counterparts is significant due to the overt and covert forms of discrimination they may encounter.