Final answer:
The TASK of the Tentative Stage (14 - 15 years) in adolescence is Crystallizing a vocational preference, where students explore their strengths, values, interests, and career goals. They work towards building a clear vision of their career future and setting goals to achieve it. The correct option is D. Crystallizing a vocational preference"
Step-by-step explanation:
The Tentative Stage (14 - 15 years) is a crucial period in adolescent development where young individuals consider their needs, interests, capacities, values, and opportunities. They make tentative choices and try them out in various ways such as through fantasy, discussion, courses, and work.
The primary TASK of this stage is D. Crystallizing a vocational preference. This involves identifying and exploring strengths, values, interests, personality traits, and career goals to decide which career path may align with their characteristics and aspirations. It's important for students to build research skills, explore occupational areas of interest, evaluate possible occupations, and set career goals.
In the context of Erikson's theory of Psychosocial Development, the task is aligned with the broader challenge of adolescents to develop a sense of self and overcome the risk of role confusion, asking the quintessential questions: "Who am I?" and "Who do I want to be?" Undertaking this process helps teens avoid the pitfalls of adopting roles that do not align with their own desires or feeling pressured to conform to the expectations of others.
It is recognized that cultivating a sense of self and vocational clarity during the Tentative Stage is not solely about pursuing a passion, but about understanding one’s intrinsic characteristics, and interests, which can lead to satisfying career choices.
Passion in work may develop over time and is often the result of a continual process of self-discovery and adjustment in one's career path. The correct option is D. Crystallizing a vocational preference"