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Jane Doesn't Know Who She Is: Identity versus Identity Confusion
Jane is in high school. Her friends dress the same way, listen to the same music, and have fun doing the same things. Jane follows in suit, but something doesn't feel right. She recognizes that there are parts of her that she's hiding. This describes identity versus identity confusion, where the crisis includes the two paths: establishing a clear self identity or being confused about who you are as an individual. -
Jane Accepts her Past: Ego Integrity versus Despair
Jane is no longer a young adult. She looks back on her youth--the conforming to standards, the bad decisions, and the other struggles she's faced in college. But she also considers the good things--everything she's learned, and the fun she's had as she ventures further into life. This describes ego integrity versus despair, where the crisis includes: considering the past and either accepting it and the outcome or being filled with despair and regret. -
Jane Teaches her Kids How to Cook: Generativity versus Stagnation
Jane is 40 years old--her two kids are in high school. She just learned of the death of her aunt, and is recognizing that she too is getting older. She thinks of her family's cooking recipes and intends to pass them down. This describes generativity versus stagnation, where the crisis includes: the desire to contribute to the well-being of the future generations or to care more about oneself than others.