Final answer:
The core conflict in early adulthood, according to Erik Erikson, is Intimacy vs. Isolation, where adults seek to establish intimate relationships and must have a strong sense of self to avoid loneliness and isolation.
Step-by-step explanation:
The core conflict Erikson identified for early adulthood is Intimacy vs. Isolation. This stage typically spans an individual's 20s and early 40s. Erikson believed that after developing a strong sense of self in adolescence, individuals in early adulthood seek to form intimate relationships with others. A critical element of this stage is the understanding that one must have a well-established self-identity before successfully creating deep connections with others. Failure to develop intimate relationships can result in feelings of loneliness and emotional isolation. During the earlier stage of adolescence, identified as identity vs. role confusion, individuals work on shaping their identity, which lays the foundation for establishing intimate relationships later in life. Conversely, in late adulthood, Erikson's stage of integrity vs. despair deals with reflecting on one's life and arriving at a sense of fulfillment or regret.