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Identity vs. Identity Confusion
Nick was primarily interested in soccer, though he felt pressured to play high school football. His parents and grandparents encouraged him to participate in sports he was interested in, and supported his decision to drop out of football and join the soccer team. In Erikson's fifth stage, Identity vs. Identity Confusion, the crisis is between finding out who you are and what you're good at/like to do, and failing to form an identity that's true, stable and secure. -
Intimacy vs. Isolation
Nick liked the freedom of one night stands. He would use dating apps to meet people but he intentionally cut off contact after one or two dates. He didn't want to deal with the investment of time and emotion and felt more comfortable non-intimate sexual partners. In Erikson's 6th stage, intimacy vs. isolation, the crisis is between making a conscientious effort to commit yourself in an intimate relationship or being emotionally unavailable and not comfortable in your own identity. -
Generativity vs. Stagnation
Nick was in his 40's, single, and not married. He did not plan to have kids, but he enjoyed spending quality time with his nieces and nephews and mentoring young boys at the local Boys and Girls Club. In Erikson's seventh stage - Generativity vs. Stagnation - people are conscious of their own mortality in a way they weren't before, and work to contribute to the success and health of the next generation or choose to focus on oneself without regard for the next generation.