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Trust versus Mistrust
On December 7, 1990, Ashley was born to a mother addicted to drugs. She was immediately taken from her mother and put into foster care. During her time of infancy and Erikson's first stage, Ashley never experienced the basic love and care that an infant needs and she developed a lack of of trust for her caregiver. Ashley has now learned to mistrust others and life will not be rewarding for her. -
Autonomy versus Shame
During Erikson's second stage and Ashley enters toddlerhood, she also finds herself in a new foster home. Her foster parents discipline her excessively for every "wrong" move she makes. Ashley is yelled at and punished for things such as dropping food on her clean clothes, not potty training soon enough, and trying to bring her favorite dolly outside of her room. Ashley is not able to be herself or make her own choices, causing her to experience shame and doubt. -
Initiative verses Guilt
Ashley is now in early childhood and she still experiences harsh treatment from her foster parents. Ashley's foster parents believe children should be seen and not heard and she does not feel secure in her surroundings and she is afraid to initiate in play or make her own decisions at home. She feels like every move she makes is wrong and she is afraid to engage with others. Ashley subsequently experiences guilt during Erikson's third stage.
