Final answer:
According to Erikson, the main crisis during adolescence is identity versus role confusion. Adolescents work on forming their personal identity and answering questions about who they are. Successful navigation of this stage leads to a strong identity, while failure can result in confusion about their future roles in society.
Step-by-step explanation:
According to Erikson, What is the Main Crisis During Adolescence?
The main crisis during adolescence, according to Erikson's theory of psychosocial development, is identity versus role confusion. During the ages of 12-18, adolescents work on developing a strong sense of self. They ask critical questions like "Who am I?" and "What do I want to do with my life?" This process involves experimenting with different roles and sometimes adopting values that may be in contrast to their parents and aligning with peer groups. Success in resolving this crisis leads to a stable identity, while failure results in confusion about one's role in society. This stage is pivotal for adolescents as it lays the foundation for future stages, such as intimacy versus isolation in early adulthood.
Adolescents who do not actively seek to establish a clear identity or those who acquiesce to external pressures, such as the expectations of their parents, may end up with a weak sense of self and face role confusion. In contrast, those who successfully overcome the crisis develop a strong personal identity, enabling them to stay true to their values through life's challenges.
Adolescents also develop a greater sense of personal identity, and their perceptions of self-esteem, moral values, body image, and independence become more pronounced. While the association with their peer group becomes increasingly significant, contributing to their development of self and decision-making.