Editing Developmental psychology (section)

===Adolescence===
{{Main|Adolescent psychology}}
Adolescence is the period of life between the onset of puberty and the full commitment to an adult social role, such as worker, parent, and/or citizen. It is the period known for the formation of personal and social identity (see [[Erik Erikson]]) and the discovery of moral purpose (see [[William Damon]]). Intelligence is demonstrated through the logical use of symbols related to abstract concepts and formal reasoning. A return to [[egocentric]] thought often occurs early in the period. Only 35% develop the capacity to reason formally during adolescence or adulthood. (Huitt, W. and Hummel, J. January 1998)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://pages.uoregon.edu/moursund/Math/developmental_theory.htm|title=Developmental Theory|website=pages.uoregon.edu|access-date=2021-05-07|archive-date=2021-05-16|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210516005242/https://pages.uoregon.edu/moursund/Math/developmental_theory.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Erik Erikson labels this stage identity versus role confusion. Erikson emphasizes the importance of developing a sense of identity in adolescence because it affects the individual throughout their life. Identity is a lifelong process and is related with curiosity and active engagement. Role confusion is often considered the current state of identity of the individual. Identity exploration is the process of changing from role confusion to resolution.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Syed |first1=Moin |title=Identity exploration, identity confusion, and openness as predictors of multicultural ideology |journal=International Journal of Intercultural Relations |date=July 2013 |volume=37 |issue=4 |pages=491–496 |doi=10.1016/j.ijintrel.2013.04.005 }}</ref>

During Erik Erikson's identity versus role uncertainty stage, which occurs in adolescence, people struggle to form a cohesive sense of self while exploring many social roles and prospective life routes. This time is characterized by deep introspection, self-examination, and the pursuit of self-understanding. Adolescents are confronted with questions regarding their identity, beliefs, and future goals. The major problem is building a strong sense of identity in the face of society standards, peer pressure, and personal preferences. Adolescents participate in identity exploration, commitment, and synthesis, actively seeking out new experiences, embracing ideals and aspirations, and merging their changing sense of self into a coherent identity. Successfully navigating this stage builds the groundwork for good psychological development in adulthood, allowing people to pursue meaningful relationships, make positive contributions to society, and handle life's adversities with perseverance and purpose.{{sfn|Erikson|Erikson|1998|p={{pn|date=January 2025}}}}

It is divided into three parts, namely:
# Early Adolescence: 9 to 13 years 
# Mid Adolescence: 13 to 15 years and
# Late Adolescence: 15 to 18 years

The adolescent unconsciously explores questions such as "Who am I? Who do I want to be?" Like toddlers, adolescents must explore, test limits, become [[autonomous]], and commit to an [[identity (social science)|identity]], or [[sense of self]]. Different roles, behaviors and [[ideologies]] must be tried out to select an identity. Role confusion and inability to choose vocation can result from a failure to achieve a sense of identity through, for example, friends.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Erikson |first1=Erik H. |title=Identity Youth and Crisis |date=1968 |publisher=W. W. Norton & Company |isbn=978-0-393-31144-0 }}{{pn|date=January 2025}}</ref>