Role confusion: A crisis in identity

Erikson's Stage 5 of psychosocial development, also termed as "Identity versus Role Confusion," typically occurs during adolescence, which can stretch from ages 12-18. It's a critical period where individuals explore who they are as individuals, separating from their families and the views instilled in them throughout their childhood. They start to develop a strong affiliation and devotion to ideals, beliefs, and causes. The main features of this stage include a focus on personal identity, experimenting with different roles, questioning beliefs and values, striving for independence and the shaping of a future adult self. The adolescent is essentially trying on different identities to see which fits best, leading to role confusion where the person may struggle to fit in or understand their place within society. The psychosocial crisis in this stage comes from the conflict and struggle between these identities and roles. Adolescents make important decisions about their future, career choices, and the values they stand by. If an adolescent can't successfully navigate this stage, they might experience role confusion and insecurity regarding who they are and what they want from life. It could result in poor decision-making, self-doubt, and a weak sense of self. For Erikson, successful completion of each stage results in a healthy personality and successful interactions with others. Advancing successfully through this stage leads to fidelity, a psychological virtue characterized by the ability to commit oneself to others on the basis of accepting others, even when there may be ideological differences.