Final answer:
James Marcia states that adolescents must explore different roles and values before achieving an identity, resonating with Erikson's theory of psychosocial development, where establishing a sense of self during adolescence is pivotal.
Step-by-step explanation:
According to James Marcia, before adolescents can achieve an identity, they must c) Explore different roles and values. This concept lies at the heart of psychosocial development during adolescence, a time when individuals face the task of identity versus role confusion. One of the key developmental tasks for adolescents, as outlined by Erik Erikson, is to develop a sense of self. They do this by grappling with questions such as "Who am I?" and "What do I want to do with my life?" During this period, teens may adopt different personas and explore various values to establish their own identities, which is crucial for their long-term psychosocial development.
Adolescents start to develop an identity separate from their parents and look towards peer groups for socialization experiences. They begin to form their own system of moral and ethical values. However, without the active exploration and internalization of various roles and values, young people might face difficulty solidifying their sense of self, leading to role confusion and a weak sense of identity.