According to Erikson, what are the key developmental tasks during adolescence?

During adolescence, according to Erik Erikson's psychosocial development theory, the key developmental task is Identity vs. Role Confusion. This stage primarily involves adolescents exploring their sense of self and developing a personal identity separate from their parents and society at large.

In this period, teenagers experiment with various roles, beliefs, and values as they work to understand who they are and where they fit in the world. Successful navigation of this stage leads to a strong sense of identity and the ability to stay true to oneself amid various social influences. Conversely, failure to establish a clear identity can result in role confusion, where adolescents may feel uncertain about themselves and their place in society, potentially leading to issues later in life.

The other options represent different stages within Erikson's theory that occur at other points in the human lifespan: Intimacy vs. Isolation refers to young adulthood, Autonomy vs. Shame occurs in early childhood, and Integrity vs. Despair pertains to late adulthood. Understanding these stages is crucial for comprehending how Erikson mapped development over the lifespan.