Which Erikson stage is primarily associated with developing a stable sense of self and personal identity?

• A. Trust vs Mistrust
• B. Identity vs Role Confusion
• C. Intimacy vs Isolation
• D. Generativity vs Stagnation

Answer: (B)

Developing a stable sense of self and personal identity happens as individuals explore who they are across different roles, beliefs, and goals during adolescence. This stage focuses on forming a coherent, enduring sense of self, so that the person can move forward with a clear direction and commitments. When this goes well, they develop a strong, stable identity and a sense of fidelity to their values and chosen paths. When it doesn’t, they may experience role confusion, feeling uncertain about who they are or what they want to become.

The other stages address different life tasks: building basic trust and a sense of safety in infancy; forming intimate relationships in early adulthood once a sense of self is developing; and guiding the next generation or finding meaning in work in middle adulthood. Among these, the one that centers on who you are and how you fit into the world is the identity-focused stage.