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Allison's Life
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Allison’s First Outfit: Autonomy versus Shame and Doubt
Allison (age 3) decides that she wants to pick out her own outfit for preschool, instead of her mom picking it out for her. In Erikson’s second stage, autonomy versus shame and doubt, children between the ages of 18 months and 3 years begin to grow a sense of independence (autonomy) and want more personal control, gaining their confidence. -
Allison’s First Soccer Practice: Industry versus Inferiority
Allison (age 7) joins a soccer team because all of her friends are on it, and she has never played a sport before. It’s one of Allison’s goals to learn this new skill, and also be accepted by her peers. In Erikson’s fourth stage, industry versus inferiority, children between the ages of 5 to 12 begin to learn how to do things on their own, feel more industrious, and more able to achieve their goals (competence). This stage is greatly influenced by high society demands and peer influence. -
Allison’s Leukemia Foundation: Generativity versus Stagnation
Allison (age 42) has a 12-year-old daughter, Lily, who was recently diagnosed with stage 3 leukemia. Allison wants to do everything she can to support her daughter and other children, so she starts a foundation to raise awareness and money. In Erikson’s seventh stage, generativity versus stagnation, middle aged adults want to have the feeling of accomplishment and that they made an impact that will benefit other people (generativity), rather than feeling unsuccessful or uninvolved (stagnation).