Estefan, 21, has had a series of unsuccessful romantic relationships. In each relationship, when his partner begins to ask about his past experiences, his feelings about aspects of the relationship, and his thoughts about himself, he begins a passive-aggressive withdrawal. According to Erikson, this is an example of that will lead to isolation.

The correct answer is self-protection

Erik Erikson proposed a conception of human development in 8 psychosocial phases (or stages), in turn, envisaged, in eight ages from birth to death, the first four belonging to the baby and childhood period, and the last three to adult years and old age. Each stage is crossed by a psychosocial crisis, with a positive and a negative aspect.

Erik Erikson's theory gives special importance to the period of adolescence, notably because it is a transition between childhood and adulthood, where events relevant to the development of adult personality occur.

In the Psychosocial Development Theory, this occurs in 8 phases and each phase contributes to the formation of the total personality (epigenetic principle), being, therefore, all important even after crossing them.