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Anysa Wins the Spelling Bee- Industry vs. Inferiority
Anysa (age 9) won the school spelling bee today. Her teachers approach her afterward and shower her with praise, and her parents treat her to a dinner at her favorite restaurant to celebrate. Anysa feels proud of her spelling abilities. In Erickson's fourth stage of development-- industry versus inferiority-- the crisis is between feeling confident in the skills necessary to thrive in the child's culture and feeling inferior because of an inability to gain competency in those skills. -
Anysa Joins the Gymnastics Team- Identity vs. Identity Confusion
Anysa (16) got first place in her gymnastics tournament. When she entered high school she tried for her school's gymnastics team and made the team! She identifies strongly as an athlete and wears her Letterman jacket around school with pride. She is considering a career as a recreational therapist and volunteers teaching gymnastics to kids with autism. Erickson's fifth stage is identity versus identity confusion. The conflict in this stage is between identity awareness and identity confusion. -
Anysa Struggles in Her Relationship- Intimacy vs. Isolation
Anysa (25) has been dating her girlfriend for 2 years. Her girlfriend often brings up marriage. Anysa loves her girlfriend, yet feels anxious about marriage. Anysa grew up as a military kid, so she often finds herself defaulting to friendships/relationships that only last a few years. Lifelong commitment scares her. Erickson's sixth stage is intimacy vs. isolation. The conflict in this stage is between establishing close relationships with others and isolating oneself.
