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But I'm a Good Noodle! Initiative VS Guilt
Steve(4) is in Sunday school and it is break time. He likes to play with the toy trucks. Another boy comes along and wants to play trucks too, only to be rejected and pushed by Steve-who wants to play trucks alone. A caregiver sees this and scolds Steve for not sharing or playing nice. This results in Steve crying because he is aware of his selfish actions and is guilty of it.
In Erikson's third stage, children begin to assert control and power in their environment to gain a sense of purpose. -
Am I Not Good Enough? Industry VS Inferiority
Steve(8) is working on a small group project with his peers. They divided the parts equally among each other. While his peers complete their parts, Steve is still working on his because he does not completely understand his part. The teacher comes around and praises his peers for finishing their parts and tells Steve they will give him a little extra time to finish. This makes Steve feel inferior to his peers because he is needing extra time to finish. -
I am Wanted Intimacy VS Isolation
Despite the rough patches in childhood, Steve(25) remains positive and optimistic. His profound sense of confidence attracts many potential partners. As he builds a strong relationship, their intimacy flourishes. In Erikson's sixth stage, Intimacy VS Isolation, there is a struggle between being emotionally close to others through committed relationships (intimacy) or failing to do so which results to being alone (isolation).
