Final answer:
The psychological separation from parents in adolescence, important for developing a sense of personal identity, is called Individuation. It reflects Erikson's stage of identity versus role confusion and is crucial for an adolescent's development of self.
Step-by-step explanation:
This process is part of the adolescents' development of a stronger sense of personal identity, which aligns with Erik Erikson's theory of psychosocial development. During this stage, which Erikson describes as identity versus role confusion, adolescents ask critical questions about themselves such as "Who am I?" and "What do I want to do with my life?" This phase is vital for their growth, as it leads to a strong sense of self, allowing adolescents to remain true to their beliefs and values despite challenges and differing perspectives. Individuation is essential for developing independence and forging a path distinct from that of one's parents. It involves not only exploring personal values and beliefs but also often entails testing boundaries as a means of asserting one's individuality. Successful separation during adolescence contributes to the formation of a well-defined identity, whereas failure to engage in this process may result in role confusion and a weaker sense of self.