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Trust vs mistrust: Jenny's father neglects her
At age 1, Jenny's parents separate and she spends time with them individually. When she is with her father, he is not as attentive to her needs or responsive when she cries. As a result, she develops some trust issues that she has to deal with later on. In Erikson's first stage, trust vs. mistrust, people develop a sense of whether or not they can develop the world around them based on the attentiveness of their caregivers. -
Identity vs. role confusion: Jenny Tries Things Out
Her sophomore year of high school, Jenny (age 15) joins the cross-country running team. She finds she is not particularly athletic, so she then joins student government and enjoys this much more. During Erikson's fifth stage of development, identity versus role confusion, the crisis is developing an identity and a sense of self. -
Intimacy vs. Isolation: Jenny Cohabitates
At age 27, Jenny decides to commit to a serious relationship with her boyfriend Fred. Due to trust issues, she previously had many short relationships that she ended. However, after growth and some counseling, she decides chooses to move in with her boyfriend and get a dog with him. During Erikson's fifth stage, intimacy vs. isolation, the crisis is between choosing to be alone and invulnerable or choosing to be in a committed, intimate relationship.
