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Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt
Caras parents start to allow her to make some of her own decisions (like what she wears) at age 3. In Erikson's second stage, autonomy vs. shame and doubt, the crisis is between being able to start doing things on your own and becoming self-conscious and afraid to do things alone. -
Initiative vs. Guilt
At age 5, Cara is starting to ask lots of questions about the world around her, and her parents always answer her questions with patience. In Erikson's third stage, initiative vs. guilt, the conflict is between the child growing to become a good leader and having initiative and feeling guilty for asking too many questions or taking the lead on things. -
Identity vs. Role Confusion
at 15, Cara is almost done with her first year of high school and is still unsure about what she wants to do when she grows up, but thinks she wants to work with kids. In Erikson's fifth stage, identity vs. role confusion, the crisis is between finding yourself and deciding who you are and becoming self-conscious about who you are and never really knowing what you want to be. -
Ego Integrity vs. Despair
At age 80, Cara is surrounded by her family and realizes just how good life has been to her and is truly happy with how everything has turned out for her. In Erikson's eigth (and final) stage, ego integrity vs. despair, the crisis is between being happy with how your life turned out and being ready to die and wishing you could go back and start over in life.
