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Initiative vs Guilt
Robyn (age 4) leads a group of children at her preschool in a game of school where she assumes the role of "Teacher" and the rest of the children are her students. In Erikson's 3rd stage, intiative versus guilt, the crisis is between feelling capable and able to lead others or feelings of self-doubt and lack of initative. -
Industry vs Inferiority
Robyn (age 10) receives praise from her 5th grade teacher when her teacher reads her journal entry in front of the class as an example of what she was looking for in a creative writing entry. In Erikson's 4th stage, industry versus inferiority, the crisis is between feelings of competence and belief in their skills or feelings of doubt in their abilities to be successful. -
Identity vs Confusion
Robyn (age 16) wanting to make a difference in her school and community, runs and successfully earns the position of student representative to the school board of education. In Erikson's 5th stage, identity versus confusion, the crisis is between feelings of a strong sense of self or feelings of insecurity and confusion about themselves and their futures. -
Intimacy vs Isolation
Robyn (age 25) and Rahne, a young man she had been seeing for about a month, decide to be in a commited, romantic relationship. In Erikson's 6th stage, intimacy versus isolation, a strong sense of identity and intimacy or feelings of loneliness, depression and isolation.