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Autonomy vs. Shame & Doubt
Little Sarah (age 3) is finally able to begin her toilet training sessions, in which her mother and father allow her to practice autonomy with the use of a miniature potty and pull-up diapers. This displays Erikson's Autonomy vs. Shame & Doubt stage, as the central crisis is gaining a sense of self-control and competence, and failure to do so leads to feelings of self-doubt. -
Identity vs. Confusion
Sarah (now age 16) is taking AP-level courses in school and is excelling at them. However, after a messy breakup with her boyfriend, her focus on school declined, leading her to question her identity which had been previously attached to academic success. This displays this stage's central crisis, being seeing oneself as a unique and put-together person, with failure leading to confusion on who one really is. -
Intimacy vs. Isolation
Sarah is now 32 years old, and despite a handful of messy breakups with other random men, she and her fiance, Jay, have agreed to announce their love to all their friends and family and spend the rest of their days together. The central crisis in this stage has then been mended, as Sarah is able to love and commit to one individual.