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Trust vs. Mistrust
Jay (8 weeks) wakes up in the middle of night and begins crying inconsolably. Until his mother comes into his room to give him a bottle, change his diaper, and comfort him, Jay is scared no one will help him.
In Erikson's first stage of development the basic concept is Trust vs. Mistrust takes place during infancy through young toddlerhood. In this stage, infants are testing weather or not they can trust the world around them through the consistency of care provided by their caregivers. -
Autonomy vs. Shame/Doubt
Jay (3 years) is getting ready for preschool and begins to have a melt down while his dad tries to dress him. He kicks and screams, "I DO IT MYSELF!" and "I WANT SOFT PANTS!"
In the Autonomy vs. Shame/Doubt phase, young children are developing a sense of independence and wish to exercise control over their environment. -
Initiative vs. Guilt
Jay (5 years) has started kindergarten. One morning, he wakes up before his parents and gets himself ready for school. He gets dressed, eats breakfast, and packs his lunch. When his parents wake up and find him watching TV ready to go, they praise him.
The Initiative vs. Guilt phase kids are testing where the boundaries are and the emotional repercussions when they go to far. -
Industry vs. inferiority
Jay's (10 years) has expressed interest in learning more about computer coding. He and some of his classmates decide to start a club where they can learn this skill. They find it challenging but they work together and, eventually, coded a simple game.
Industry vs Inferiority centers on coping with learning new skills and trusting in one's own competency. Their peer group take a more central role and their level of social acceptance is a major source of self-esteem. -
Identity vs Role Confusion
Jay (16 years) tries out for the school play. He's never acted before, but it seems like fun and some of his friends have agree to try out too.
In the Identity vs Role Confusion phase, adolescents are trying to figure who they are. They move through this phase by trying new experiences which challenge or reinforce their values, ideals, interest, and goals. If not given enough room to roam, an individual may struggle to find their personal identity. -
Intimacy v. Isolation
This phase of development occurs in emerging adulthood. In this phase, individual's are faced with the dilemma of opening themselves up to partnership and intimacy or not.
Jay and his partner have been together for one year and have just had their first serious fight. In the heat of the moment both parties made hurtful comments. Once things calmed down they both apologized and turned towards each other to find a solution to the problem. -
Generativity v. Stagnation
This phase occurs in middle adulthood and focus on the choice between contributing to the well-being of the next generation or not.
Jay has begun volunteering as a mentor to at risk youth through a program that helped him as a teen. -
Ego Integrity v. Despair
This phase occurs in late adulthood. It is a reflective look back on one's life and challenges one to accept what life has provided or dwell.
Jay is looking back on his life in totality while relaying stories to his grandchildren. As he recounts his many exploits, while there are some regrets, he believes he has lived a good life and accepts all aspects of it.