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Upon finding out his fiancée cheated, Dakota (age 22) decides to leave her. His trust issues create emotional barriers, leading to future conflict in relationships. This eventually leads him to feeling lonely.
In Erikson’s sixth stage, Intimacy versus Isolation, the crisis is between being able to commit oneself to another long-term (intimacy) and not allowing oneself to be vulnerable and create meaningful connections with others (isolation). -
After years of failed relationships between romantic partners and friends, Dakota’s life become very monotonous, making him cynical and untrusting of those around him.
In Erikson’s seventh stage, Generativity versus Stagnation, the crisis is between being able to contribute to the world and the lives of those around us (generativity) and leading a dull, repetitive life with bleak hope for the future (stagnation). -
Dakota, now 83 years old, is in poor health with no one to care for him. As he thinks back on his life, he feels nothing but anguish and regret. He mourns his life choices of not letting people in but still holds resentment towards the deceitful woman who wronged him.
In Erikson’s eighth stage, Ego Integrity versus Despair, the crisis is between feeling pleased with one’s past (ego integrity) and feeling regretful about one’s life choices (despair).