Unresolved
Ben looks back at this life and regrets moving around and never starting a family. He feels resentful and bitter of his friends who grandchildren and he has started to feel a sense of hopelessness about his remaining years.
Integrity vs. Despair
Franklin has always liked numbers and his favorite class is math. He experiences real joy when doing his homework and in class. His mom is proud of his hard work and academic success. She hopes it continues when he begins high school and into college.
Industry vs. Inferiority
Franklin wants to develop his soccer skills. He talks a lot about becoming a soccer star, but usually skips practice to play video games. His parents don't encourage physical activity because he has always been smaller than his twin brother. Franklin quits the team after he is benched during the second game.
Industry vs. Inferiority
Sean took a job right out of college which took him across the country. He knew no one in this new city, but was able to forge new relationships with his coworkers and develop genuine friendships. Although he misses his family and college friends, Sean does not feel alone.
Intimacy vs. Isolation
Jules was a successful CEO. She divorced when her children were very young and age her ex-husband full casting so she could focus on her career. As a result she moved abroad and only saw her kids once or twice a year. Jules has recently lost her job and returned to the US. Her children are all in college now and have no interest in starting relationship with her. She feels stuck and unproductive personally and professionally.
Generativity vs. Stagnation
Polly's mother has experienced postpartum depression since she was born, and her father has never met her. Despite her mother's love, Polly is often uncared for and left to cry alone. She is inconsistently fed, she has no predictable pattern of getting put down to sleep, and her diaper is only changed 1-2 times a day.
Trust vs. Mistrust
Caroline is a natural leader among her friends. She is often choreographing dance "routines" and teaching new dance "moves" to her classmates. She sometimes gets her friends to put on a performance for their teachers. She never leaves a girl out of the fun and always tries to include everyone.
Initiative vs. Guilt
Carolos was a great eater as a baby. However, more recently, he refuses to each what his mother prepares and he wants to choose his own food. His parents were worried- so they forced him to eat and ignored his assertions all together.
Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt
Zlatan has been playing soccer ever since he has been walking. Legand has it that he came out of his mother's womb juggling a ball with his two feet. He recently made the soccer team in his community league. His coaches encourage him to showcase his skills and to keep improving. His parents go to every game and they cheer him on from the stands. Zlatan averages 8 goals a game and his teammates really look up to him. He loves it all!
Industry vs. Inferiority
Dr. Hayden recently retired as head of neurosurgery at Johns Hopkins. All his children are happily married with several children of their own. Dr. Hayden is thrilled with his growing family and his newfound flexibility.
Integrity vs. Despair
Alejandro is struggling to have his friend accept his sexual orientation and he is afraid to come out to his family. He skips a lot of school, doesn't feel like he fits in, and doesn't think society will accept him for who he is.
Identity vs. Role Confusion
Susan always knew she did not want children. She has never felt dissatisfied with her decisions. Rather, she is happy with her life. Whens he turned 45, she had a career change and became a high school science teacher. She loves being able to influence a younger generation and share her knowledge with them.
Generativity vs. Stagnation
On the day of his 2nd heart attack, Charlie tells his nurse that he lived a terrible life. He regrets many decisions, including joining a gang as a teenager and not honoring his grandmother's memory.
Integrity vs. Despair
Alex never had a relationship in high school. When he got to college he saw his closest friends pairing off into couples. While he longed for a girlfriend, he never gave up hope. During his senior year, he met a girl in his developmental psychology class and they started dating. He just one he was going to marry her one day, but there was no rush.
Intimacy vs. Isolation
After his parents divorced, Dimitri had a hard time with the change in his family and his life. He had to switch schools and spend alternating weeks with each parent. Dimitri was always close with both his parents and they remained supportive throughout high school and college. Dimitri went to his mother's alma mater and remained committed to medical school, despite a period of alternate career choices.
Identity vs. Role Confusion
Martha likes Jorge and feels "sparks" when he is around. However, she is scared of intimacy because she has never been in a relationship before. She often can't even seem to make eye contact with him and feels herself withdrawing from the group.
Intimacy vs. Isolation
Rose is initially confused about her major when she comes to Rice. After talking with friends, professors, advisors, and her parents, she gets excited about a long term career goal and decides to major in chemical engineering.
Identity vs Role Confusion
Swati loves her new friends. She always tries to organize ball games among the girls, but non of them want to join her. The boys don't want to include her in their games either. Swati's parents discourage her from playing "boy" games and she eventually starts feeling like she is annoying her classmates during recess. She also feels as though she is disappointing her parents.
Initiative vs. Guilt
Cindy is a difficult baby who demands a lot from her young parents. Despite her many medical needs, they remain attentive and loving- and they work together to provide Cindy with consistent care.
Trust vs. Mistrust
Camilla has begun potty training. Her grandmother does not like a mess and scolds her when she has an accident. Camilla is trying hard to follow through with her instructions, but becomes insecure in her own ability to manage her poops. She regresses in her development and struggles to obtain independence.
Autonomy vs. Shame & Doubt
Avi loves ants. He has lots of questions about ants and plays with them whenever he can get outside. When he asks his parents, they either ignore his questions or scold him for being "weird." Soon, Avi loses interest in ants, stops asking his parents question, and prefers not to go outside and play.
Initiative vs. Guilt
Ari B asks her mother various questions, many of which her mother does not know the answer to. However, her mom tries her best to respond patiently and correctly. As a result, Ari B is an inquisitive, insightful young girl who often leads discussions among her friends and with other adults.
Initiative vs. Guilt
Max is struggling to fit in with other kids at school. He dresses differently, and has only a few friends (although he spends less and less time with them as he disagrees with their "mainstream" perspective). He can't seem to get a summer job because employers are skeptical of his unorthodox clothes. He continues to rebel against the norm and does not modify his appearance. He unsure about any future career goals and just wants to quit school to avoid feeling ostracized. Max recognizes he is unhappy but is too afraid to change anything or ask for help.
Identity vs. Role Confusion
Alberto is a successful pediatrician. His twin boys have just left for college. While this may seem like a crazy time to stop receiving his stable income, Alberto decides to quit his medical practice and focus on his artistic ambitions. He sets up an art studio in a low income neighborhood and hopes to inspire children to engage in art as a means of emotional expression and creativity.
Generativity vs. Stagnation
Anne was diagnosed with lung cancer, although she quit smoking 10 years ago. After receiving the diagnosis she went to the store and bought a pack of cigarettes. When she see her grandchildren, she feels angry at herself for her decision and regrets the pain she will put her family through. As a result, she pulls away from them and opts to be alone in her regret and sadness.
Integrity vs. Despair