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Trust vs. Mistrust
John (0 months) is a newborn. He looks around and can see a happy mother and father looking closely at him. He is circumcised, breastfed, and his umbilical chord is cut. The crisis between trusting and mistrusting the his caretakers. If his parental figures are reliable and give constant care he'll trust them and he'll grow up to see a better world. If his care takers neglect him, he'll grow up so not trust the world. -
Initiative vs. Guilt
John (Age 3) is playing with his toys but leaves them out when he is done. His mother kindly tells him to clean them up and he listens. This teaches him to put things back they way they were. The crisis of this stage is between taking initiative to do actions on their own and developing a sense of guilt and doubt when thinking of doing actions on their own. If his parents are encouraging John will learn to initiate actions on his own. If his parents dismiss him he'll doubt himself. -
Adolescence (Identity vs. Confusion)
John (age 16) goes to high school and he is figuring out who he is and what he wants to do in life. As a student he excels and he has no trouble communicating with teachers and peers. If John is supported in his exploration he will have a stronger sense of self. If he finds exploration too stressful and intimidating he may be confused on what his role in life is.