Final answer:
The statement is TRUE; adolescence is a period where individuals, according to Erikson, form their own identity which often includes questioning and evaluating the religious, political, and social beliefs they were raised with.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that adolescents may come to reject their religious upbringing, question their parents' political and social attitudes, and explore alternative systems for understanding truth, goodness, and beauty is indeed TRUE. According to the theory of psychosocial development by Erik Erikson, during adolescence (ages 12-18), individuals are in the stage of identity versus role confusion. In this stage, adolescents strive to forge their own identity, which often includes questioning and evaluating the beliefs and values that they have been raised with.
Adolescents at this age are developing their own system of moral and ethical values, which can include questioning religious beliefs and the political and social attitudes of their parents. During this process, which Erikson considers critical for the formation of a strong sense of self, adolescents may distance themselves emotionally from their parents, engage with peers, and explore alternate ideologies and aesthetics as they establish their personal identity. This can lead to accepting, altering, or outright rejecting the ideologies of their upbringing.
It's important to recognize that while many adolescents go through this process, the outcomes can vary widely from one individual to another. Some may adopt views in line with their peer group, while others may maintain their family's beliefs, or develop a unique set of beliefs and attitudes. Nonetheless, the exploration of different beliefs and values is a typical part of adolescent development according to Erikson.