-
Trust vs Mistrust
Beth (age 9months) has had a very loving mother who consistently fed her based on hunger cues and made sure she was also clean, dry, warm and cared for. The crisis in this period refers to being able to depend on or trust that your needs will be met creating a sense of hope that future needs shall also be met providing security. Adversely if needs are inconsistent or not met it creates a mistrust of the world and anxiety over whether your needs can be met in the future. -
Initiative vs Guilt
Now aged 4yo, Beth enjoys preschool with her teachers who encourage them and provide guidance in daily activities. Today they are having a 'career day' where her and her classmates can explore different jobs ideas through creative play. Conflict at this stage in life is a balance between initiation of individual ideas that build confidence and guilt if their creative imaginations are hindered by too much control or reprimand. Both are important to encourage independence and teach self control. -
Identity vs Role Confusion
During middle and high school Beth's parents encouraged her to explore different activities in church, school, sports and other clubs. However, Beth soon realized she felt most at home in art class working with her hands and with fellow art lovers. During this time in life there is a conflict between finding ones identity and what makes them comfortable and environment they thrive in vs that uncertainty of finding out what that is and being rejected or uncomfortable in ones own skin.