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Infancy: Trust vs.Mistrust
On January 1, 2011: John (age 2) hurts his hand and runs crying to his mother, who picks him up and kisses his hands to make it better. John gains (trust) knowing that his mother is always there when he is hurt or in need or his mother does not pick him up due to being busy in the kitchen (mistrust) and John ends up running to his father instead. (trust) -
Toddler hood: Autonomy vs. shame and doubt
On February 2, 2012: John(age 3) goes to his potty toilet when he feels the urge to go alone. His mother comes by and praises him for his success, he gains a sense of pride (autonomy).
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Although John failed not to make it to the bathroom and his mother scolds him for his deeds (shame and doubt). -
Early Childhood: Initiative vs. guilt
On March 3, 2015: John(age 6) is taken to the playground where he meets and converses with his fellow friends. He tells his friends to play tag and other games (initiative).
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John runs back to his father to ask a question but his father brushes his question off due to being busy with his fellow co-worker. John feels that he is a nuisance to his father. (guilt) -
Middle Childhood: Industry vs. Inferiority
On April 4, 2019: John (age 10) starts to play with his guitar in front of his friends. His friends applaud his performance. He feels competent/(industry) in his guitar ability and continues to practice.
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John does not play basketball well compared to his athletic friends. He feels a sense of (inferiority). -
Adolescence: Identity vs. Identity confusion
On May 5, 2025: After years of guitar practice, John (age 16) forms a band in high school with his fellow bandmates. He starts to become more musical and his love for music in his (identity).
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John is still processing where he fits in high school (identity confusion). -
Early Adulthood: Intimacy vs. Isolation
On Jun 6, 2034: John (age 25) after dating his girlfriend, Stacey, for some years, decides to marry her to live the rest of his life with. (Intimacy)
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John becomes a loner and becomes an introvert. His only friend is his guitar (Isolation). -
Middle Adulthood: Generativity vs. stagnation
On July 7, 2048: John (age 39) becomes a fulltime guitarist and runs his own guitar business while also taking care of his 3 children (Generativity).
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John does not enjoy his business and wants to do something else with his life but does not know how (Stagnation). -
Late Adulthood: Ego integrity vs. despair
On August 8, 2078: John (age 68) watches the ocean with his wife. He feels that everything he has done throughout his life was more than enough and is satisfied (integrity).
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Knowing that he will die before his wife, he has a sense of (despair) that she will have to go through rest of their life without him.