Successful resolution of the crisis depends on one's progress through previous developmental stages, centering on issues such as trust, autonomy, and initiative.
[2] Adolescents may withdraw from normal life, not taking action or acting as they usually would at work, in their marriage or at school, or be unable to make defining choices about the future.
[2] On the other side of the spectrum, those who emerge from the adolescent stage of personality development with a strong sense of identity are well equipped to face adulthood with confidence and certainty.
He believed that association with negative groups such as cults or fanatics can actually "redistrict" the developing ego during this fragile time.
The basic strength that Erikson argued should be developed during adolescence is fidelity, which only emerges from a cohesive ego identity.
Confusion lies between the younger generation, teenagers, and during adolescence he states that they "need to develop a sense of self and personal identity".
In him we see emerge a unique unification of what is irreversibly given—that is, body type and temperament, giftedness and vulnerability, infantile models and acquired ideals—with the open choices provided in available roles, occupational possibilities, values offered, mentors met, friendships made, and first sexual encounters.
Identity moratorium is the status that Marcia theorizes lasts the longest in individuals, is the most volatile, and can be best described as "the active exploration of alternatives".