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Alice takes middle school classes and gets poor grades in classes such as math and English leading to less effort on classes, feeling stupid and a dislike of school; however in music she is encouraged and practices and makes the effort to build her skills.
In Erikson's fourth stage, industry versus inferiority, the crisis between feeling capable and empowered is countered by feelings of failure and lowered self-worth. -
Alice began dating Bob in high school, which was the beginning of a long term relationship and the choice to spend a life together. In Erikson's sixth stage, intimacy versus isolation, the crisis is between an intimate relationship where decisions are decided together like where to live or where to go to college for the sake of intimacy or returning to making your own decisions and being isolated. -
Alice decides after much reflection to return to school for a new degree and new career in teaching.
Exemplifying Erikson’s fifth stage, identity versus identity confusion, the crisis between whether she is the primary earner of the family, whether she is meeting her potential and whether she needs a job that makes a difference is resolved by forming a new identity.