What does Erikson mean by identity confusion in adolescence, and what may it lead to?
AFailure to integrate competing identities, leading to isolation or loss of self in the crowd
BSuccessful integration of all roles, leading to confidence and clear sense of self
CA passing illness during adolescence that resolves automatically with age
DAn infant inability to recognise the mother's face during the first year
Answer & Solution
Correct answer: A. Failure to integrate competing identities, leading to isolation or loss of self in the crowd
1. Erikson describes the primary task of adolescence as establishing an identity separate from parents.
2. Adolescents who can cope with conflicting identities develop a new sense of self.
3. Those who cannot cope with this crisis experience what Erikson calls identity confusion.
4. Identity confusion can lead to isolating oneself from peers and family.
5. It can also lead to losing one's identity in the crowd.
6. Hence identity confusion is failure to integrate identities, leading to isolation or crowd-loss.
_Source: NCERT Class 11 Psychology Ch 3 "Human Development", p. 54, Forming an Identity_
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