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Age 5
Marie (age 5) loves to play with her friends. She makes up games and will usually ask new kids to play along with her. She has good parents who know when to let her play, and when to reign her in a bit. Erikson's 3rd stage, initiative vs. guilt, is a time when we either learn when and how to properly take the initiative or we develop guilt which can affect our future interactions and sense of purpose. -
Age 23
Marie (age 23) has been dating Ralph for a year, and thinks he might be the one. She can see herself committing to a life together. Intimacy vs. isolation is Erikson's 6th stage and involves the very important decision to share yourself with someone. This can be very scary for some people but the alternative can lead to depression, and isolation. -
Age 62
Marie (age 62) has raised three successful children, is still married to Ralph, and spends as much time as she can volunteering for causes she deems worthy. Stage 7 in Erikson's theory is generativity vs stagnation when we must make the decision to continue to be a productive member of society and not just focus on our own personal needs.