(a) A preschooler with a sense of will be likely to start a project and see it
through to completion.(b) A child with a sense of will avoid studying, homework, and chores.
Answers: (a) initiative; (b) inferiority.Identity versus role confusionis associated with adolescence (twelve to
eighteen years old). An adolescent with an identity has a sense of direction in life.
He or she already thinks in terms of a particular vocational area, has fairly well-
defined plans for the future, and a high level of self-esteem. Although goals are
not yet attained, they seem clearly desirable and possible. Conversely, an adoles-
cent suffering from role confusion imagines no particular pathway in life and
dreams of no well-shaped future. On the contrary, the future seems obscure and
formless.
Intimacy versus isolationis associated with young adulthood. This starts
when adolescence is over, usually around the age of eighteen. However, in prac-
tice, young adulthood may be deferred for a number of years until an identity
has been attained. The present stage and the future stages to be discussed will
not be identified with particular years. A young adult with the capacity for inti-
macy is able to form a close emotional bond with another person, often a mar-
riage partner. Intimacy exists when two people genuinely recognize the
importance of each other’s thoughts and feelings. Informally, they can “be
themselves” with each other, and do not have to put on an act. Conversely, iso-
lation exists when an individual treats another individual like a thing, an object
to be manipulated and taken advantage of. The term I-thou relationshipis
sometimes used to characterize intimacy; the term I-it relationshipis used to
characterize isolation.(a) An adolescent with an has a sense of direction in life.(b) The term relationship is sometimes used to characterize intimacy.
Answers: (a) identity; (b) I-thou.Generativity versus self-absorptionis associated with adulthood. An adult
with the trait of generativity is capable of productive work. Usually he or she will
spend many years employed in a vocation or a well-defined social role (e.g., par-
ent). Generativity is linked to giving something of value to the world. The adult
with this trait contributes in some way to the welfare of others. Conversely, an
adult with the trait of self-absorption is concerned only with his or her own wel-
fare. Taking, not giving, is the theme of the person’s life. He or she is, in essence,
a sort of parasite.
Integrity versus despairis associated with old age. An older person with the162 PSYCHOLOGY