-
Trust vs Mistrust
At age one, Brads mother was not responsive or sensitive enough to meet his needs which created an unpredictable environment. Trust versus mistrust, Erikson's first stage, is based on the nurturing of a child's parents that form a safe, caring relationship (trust) or a lack there of which can cause future anxiety and fear (mistrust). -
Industry vs Inferiority
Brad, age 7, joins the schools soccer team for the second year, feeling excited about playing with his friends and showing his parents what he's learned so far. In Erikson's fourth stage, industry versus inferiority, children begin to compare themselves to their peers, start to feel a sense of pride and accomplishment in school and other activities. At this point if they don't feel like they measure up, self-esteem and competence problems arise (inferiority). -
Intimacy vs Isolation
After an eventful summer, 22 year old Brad starts to build a successful intimate relationship with his girlfriend Jennifer. According to Erikson, Brad is as the sixth stage of development, intimacy versus isolation. At this stage adults with a developed positive sense of self are ready to make significant relationships in their life (intimacy) or they find themselves lonely and isolated due to not having a positive sense of self (isolation). -
Generativity vs Stagnation
Brad had worked at the school district for most of his adulthood as a teacher but with his only son off at college he struggles to find another purpose. The seventh stage of Erikson's theory is generativity versus stagnation, attempting to make a difference in society through raising children or volunteer work (generativity) versus not leaving a meaningful mark and a lack of drive for self improvement and productivity (stagnation).
