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Lucy (age 2) is encouraged by her parents to pick which shirt she wants to wear. Her parents praise her for making a decision independently.
In Erikson's second stage, autonomy vs. shame, the crisis is between increasing independence and being sure of their own abilities (autonomy) versus being unsure of their own abilities and having low confidence (shame). -
Lucy (age 17) has always wanted to be an artist, but her parents have forced her to apply for law school.
In Erikson's fifth stage, identity vs. role confusion, the crisis is between forming one's identity (identity) versus not knowing what their identity is (role confusion). -
Lucy (age 23) 'ghosts' her financially-stable, responsible, awesome partner that she loves to avoid getting hurt in the future from a potential breakup.
In Erikson's sixth stage, intimacy vs. isolation, the crisis is between developing intimate relationships with others (intimacy) or avoiding developing any intimate relationships (isolation).
