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Stage 1
Jerry is a two month old newborn. When his mother leaves the room, he is distressed, however she soon comes back to comfort him. He is learning that he can trust the adults in his life to take care of his basic needs, which will then lead to trusting the larger world. This is the trust vs. mistrust crisis. -
Stage 2
Jerry is now two and a half years old. When getting dressed in the morning he asks his mother to let him try to put his clothing on himself instead of accepting her help, because he knows that's what big kids like his older sister do. This is part of the Autonomy Vs. Shame and doubt crisis, when kids learn to begin being self efficiant and feel shame if they rely as heavily on others for assistance. -
Stage 3
Jerry is starting to learn how to read. While practicing with a winnie the poo book, he comes across a very large word he cannot read. He looks to his sister, who tells him the word is "Piglet". He feels guilty he had to ask for help. This is an example of failing the Initiative vs Guilt crisis. At this age children are trying new things, but feel guilty when they fail. -
Stage 4
Jerry is developing a sense of competition. He joins a little league soccer team like his friends at preschool. At first he's not very good but he works hard and develops coordination. He and his team win a local championship and Jerry feels great. He has passed the Industry vs Inferiority crisis. A developing sense of compition at this age causes children to push themselves, however failing can lead to feelings of inferiority. -
Stage 5
Jerry is entering high school. He's trying to find himself and define an identity, wanting to seem adult and mature. His parents encourage him to find a club to join. After looking around he decides to join the school's drama club. After a few months he spends much of his time with them and has started acting like a stereotypical 'dramie' as his peers call them. This is part of the Identity Vs. Role Confusion phase where people attempt to define themselves and their roles in life. -
Stage 6
Jerry is 28 and he's been dating a woman named Carol for about a year and a half. Although he's not sure he's ready for marraige he's considering asking for her hand. He's worried about waiting to long to get married, but at the same time still desires the privacy and freedom of unmarried life. Jerry is experiencing the Isolation Vs. Intimacy crisis. People around this age need to juggle the desire for freedom and solitude with the desire for connection and commitment. -
Stage 7
Jerry has been a college english professor for many years, and he's begun to feel anxious. He wanders how valuable and meaningful his work is to the people around him. He gets an email from a former student who has just become a published writer. She tearfully thanks him for working so hard to help her develope her writing skills. Jerry feels better, realizing that he's contributed possitively to the lives of his students. This is an example of the Generativity versus Stagnation crisis. -
Stage 8
Jerry has been retired for a few month. While walking through his old university he finds himself reflecting on his life. A smile comes to his face. He feels he's lived a good life that left the world a better place and has few regrets. He has passed the Ego Integrity vs Despair crisis. At this age many people look back on their life. If they have many regrets it may lead to feelings of dispair and hopelessness.
