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Nina Decides to Do Things Without Her Mother’s Help: Autonomy versus Shame and Doubt
Nina (age 3) refuses to let her mother help her put toys away or hold her hand crossing the street. In Erikson’s second stage, autonomy versus shame and doubt, the crisis is between learning to do things for oneself and feeling confident in these decisions or feeling dependent on others and questioning one’s choices or abilities. -
Nina's Decision to Experiment with Her Look and Party: Identity versus Identity Confusion
Nina (age 18) experiments with her looks and begins to go to a few parties and get a new group of friends, trying to figure out who she is and what she wants in life. In Erikson’s fifth stage, identity versus identity confusion, the crisis is between figuring out ones core identity, place in the world, and abilities or becoming confused without a real sense of identity or purpose, you cannot identify what your role is in life. -
Nina’s Decision to Marry Samuel: Intimacy versus Isolation
Nina (age 23) and Samuel are in love and have been dating for years, things are still going well and they want to share everything with each other, Sam gets down on one knee and Nina says yes! In Erikson’s sixth stage, intimacy versus isolation, the crisis is between developing close relationships (friendships, familial relationships, and romantic relationships) where you feel love and belonging or becoming distant/fearful of others and close connections resulting in isolation. -
Nina’s Decision to Have Children: Generativity versus Stagnation
Nina (age 26) is married and has just decided to have her first child and bring fresh life to her family, she wants to raise a child who will change the world. In Erikson’s seventh stage, generativity versus stagnation, the crisis is between continuing life and bettering the future of those younger than you or focusing on your own needs and losing purpose (making life meaningless).
