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Industry Vs. Inferiority
Tommy (age 8) is learning to read, write, add sums, and begin to do more things on his own. Tommy also has a group of friends at school who he feels he needs to impress at recess. As Tommy in Eriksons 4th stage, he also likes it when his dad helps him fix his bike (making him feel industrious and competent) but he gets really upset when his mom takes him away from that and makes him work on his homework inside (making him feel inferior). -
Identity Vs. Role Confusion
Tommy is now 14 and wants to be a doctor when he grows up. In Erikson's 5th stage of development, Tommy is a freshman in high school and discovers that he enjoys learning and is even part of the Math Club at school. Because of his enjoyment in school, he wants to pick a career that has the opportunity for a lot of education but also helps people. In this 5th stage, he is starting to develop his identity and his interests in careers, relationships, and families. -
Tommy's Plan to Marry- Intimacy Vs. Isolation
Tommy is now 29 years old and is now just starting his practice as a physician. Tommy met someone named Sara in college who he has been dating for 4 years now and plans to ask her to marry him this year. Tommy is now in Erikson's 6th stage of development where he is committing to a long-term relationship with someone he plans to spend the rest of his life with. In this 6th stage, Tommy is now finding love with long-term commitments