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Move into Grandma Deckard's Home: Trust versus Mistrust
Sam is relocated to his grandmother's home at six months of age when his mother passes. Grandma Deckard is stable, supportive, and very loving. Sam is quick to rely on her for affection and protection, and trusts her wholly. In Erikson's first stage of development, trust versus mistrust, an infant requires the love, support, and protection of a guardian to create a trust in their social surroundings. If that kind of bond is missing, an infant learns that others cannot be relied upon or trusted. -
Dismissal by Neighborhood Kids: Initiative versus Guilt
Sam plays games with other kids in his neighborhood. When he tries to assert himself by suggesting a different game, he is brushed off. Sam does not get visibly upset, but feels bad inside and ceases his suggestions. In Erikson's early childhood stage of initiative versus guilt, a child should learn to control their emotions and create activities. If they control their emotions too much, they become burdened with guilt and are less able to lead and create activities. -
Sam Decides His Career Path: Identity versus Identity Confusion
Having witnessed many protests worldwide in the past year, Sam immerses himself in civil rights and reads books by Malcolm X and Martin Luther King, Jr.. Sam develops a sense of his place in the world and decides to become a political activist. In Erikson's adolescent stage of identity versus identity confusion, a person develops a well defined sense of who they are in love, work, and personal beliefs. Otherwise they experience identity confusion and are unable to form a solid identity.