Continuity and change are evident. This age is characterized by years of freedom from a settled lifestyle; new characteristics appear and negative traits diminish.

• A. Identity Status
• B. Personality in Emerging Adulthood
• C. Self-Efficacy
• D. Moral Development

Answer: (B)

Personality development in emerging adulthood shows both continuity and change. In this life stage, people gain freedom from a settled lifestyle and begin to explore different identities, careers, relationships, and values. That exploration can lead to new characteristics emerging—more maturity, better stress coping, and more stable ways of behaving in the world—as individuals settle into adult roles. At the same time, some core traits remain, but as people take on responsibilities (work, independence, long-term relationships), certain less adaptive tendencies tend to diminish. This combination of evolving traits and growing stability fits the idea of personality changing and strengthening during a period of increasing independence.

Other options describe important areas of development, but they don’t capture this broad pattern of personality change tied to the emerging adulthood phase. Identity status focuses on exploration and commitment to self-definition, not the overall trajectory of personality traits. Self-efficacy is about belief in one’s abilities in specific tasks, not wide-ranging trait change. Moral development concerns judgments about right and wrong, which isn’t the main focus of the described age-related personality shifts.