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Eleanor's Infancy: Trust vs. Mistrust
Eleanor (6 months) is consistently loved and cared for by her parents, because of this she already has a positive outlook and a trust of the world around her. In Erikson's first stage, trust vs. mistrust, the developmental challenge is between being loved and cared for creating an infant who doesn't fear their environment and sees the world as good (trust) or an infant who is not well cared for and learns mistrust and doubts life will turn out to be in their favor (mistrust). -
Eleanor Gets Married- Intimacy vs. Isolation
Eleanor (26) has decided to get married to her partner, making the decision to forever share the most intimate parts of herself. In Erikson's sixth stage, intimacy vs. isolation, The challenge is the choice between keeping your distance and being vulnerable and lonely (isolated) versus letting someone into your life in a committed, wholehearted way (Intimate). -
Eleanor Has a Baby- Generativity vs. Stagnation
Eleanor (27) becomes a mother. As a mother, she spends much of her time caring for the needs of her baby. As her own mother did so many years ago. Erickson's seventh stage, generativity vs. stagnation, it comes down to whether you want to invest your time, energy, and resources into teaching, providing, and caring for the next generation (generativity) or to remain selfish, only concerned with yourself resulting in your life remaining the same (stagnation).