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Erik Homburger Erikson (1902–1994) was a German-born American psychoanalyst and developmental psychologist known for his theory on psychosocial development. He developed a theory of psychosocial development and separated it into 8 stages.

These 8 stages will be represented throughout this timeline through mine and my parents' stages of life.

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"People need to trust the world and the people in it, but they also need to learn some mistrust to protect themselves from danger." (Matorell, 2024, pg.13)

At this stage, infants develop a trust with their caregivers when provided care for their needs consistently. This can include nutrition, nurture from their caregiver, and diaper changing. They develop mistrust when those needs are neglected and/or not met within the right timing.

During this stage I was obviously dependent on my parents to keep me nourished and healthy. I was also dependent on them for nurture that every baby needs and deserves. I am sure that there were times that my parents could not immediately grab a bottle for me or change my diaper as soon as I went to the bathroom, but overall, I was able to depend on them to meet my needs to the best of their ability. I was able to trust them as a baby and grew up to never mistrust them currently.

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"Because unlimited freedom is neither safe nor healthy, shame and doubt also have a necessary place."-Erik Erikson (Martorell, 2024, pg. 156)

Toddlers gain a sense of independence by exploring and making some of their own choices. Autonomy is self-governance that children often start to develop at this age. this can include holding their own bottle, walking, and beginning to potty train. Parents who are overly protective or strict can guide their child away from being able to do certain tasks. This will lower their abilities to make certain choices independently due to the shame they feel from previous attempts of trying to do something independently and then having someone come along and do it for them, as if they were doing it wrong or unable to do it correctly. It can also make the child have feelings of doubt that they now feel when hard tasks are at hand.

I was able to talk to my mom about this stage in my life and she said that I was the only one of her kids that she didn't have much trouble with when it came to potty training. We then began the discussion of nurture vs. nature, and we ultimately came down to the conclusion that it is a mixture of both. She said that she never understood why I never really had trouble picking up on things, but that she can't complain. I think it obviously had to do with the way her and my dad parented. They were always first to tell me that I was doing a good job and that it is ok to ask for help when I need it.

At age 3 I was learning how to make my own choices. By this age I knew how to feed myself, put on my shoes by myself, and knew how to use the "big girl potty". I was able to resolve this stage thanks to my helpful parents who encouraged me to do certain things independently and were always assuring me that I was doing it right. Thanks to their words of affirmation and their help when I needed it, I am able to do many things independently without doubt or shame getting in the way.

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"Guilt, shame, and pride are known as the social emotions because they help regulate social interactions and are involved with moral development. If you feel ashamed after getting caught doing something others think is bad, that might keep you from doing it again." Martorell, 2024, pg. 210

Children during this stage are learning to take initiative through play and decision making. This can include tying their shoes, creating something, dressing themselves, and speaking their thoughts. Excessive punishment or criticism form caregivers or others during this stage can cause guilt and a low self-esteem and may cause the child to feel guilty about doing certain things in the future.

Once in preschool I gave a teacher a paper that I colored. I vividly remember seeing it in the trash a few days later and will never forget feeling like Miss. Teagen didn't like my picture, but she liked Hunter's better because she put his picture on the wall and not mine. After telling my mom about the situation, I remember us going outside the next day and having a "painting picnic" where I was able to color all of the pictures that I wanted that day. My mom ended up fitting every single painting that I made onto the fridge, the playroom, and even the bulletin board in her room. It became a tradition often in the family and I plan on doing the same thing with my kids one day.

During this stage in my life, I was naturally inclined to speak my mind and let my personality show. I was able and not afraid to take initiative when it came to playing, creating, or speaking my thoughts. I was able to resolve this stage by not being ashamed or guilty for who I was. My parents never made me feel guilty for being silly or loud or playful or talkative. They encouraged me to be outgoing and joyful.

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"A major determinant of self-esteem is children’s view of their capacity for productive work, which develops in his fourth stage of psychosocial development: industry versus inferiority." Martorell, 2024, pg. 275

In this stage, children are learning how to be productive whether that be through social interactions or by learning a new skill. Industry is the sense of competence and mastery that a child is faced with during this stage. As children develop during this stage, their success in school and their social interactions can foster confidence. Failure, embarrassment, or discouragement from others can cause feelings of inferiority or feeling less than those around them.

Thinking back to my first day of kindergarten, I can remember the very first time I met my best friend who would continue to be my best friend even to this day. We were sitting right next to each other, and I remember just gigging like little girls do. We talked about our favorite animals and other things along those lines. This social interaction on my very first day of school gave me the confidence that I needed to feel capable during this stage of my life.

During this stage I learned that there are more opinions than just the ones of my parents. Other children have opinions that may not be the same as mine and that is ok. I learned quickly which friends I wanted to be around. I did get embarrassed a few times as children do, but I resolved this by spending time with the other children who I preferred and by naturally gaining back the confidence that my parents fostered in me from the previous stages in my life.

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The chief task of adolescence is to confront the crisis of identity versus identity confusion in order to become a unique adult with a coherent sense of self and a valued role in society. - Erikson (1968)

Young teens are exploring themselves during this stage and are learning how to manage their independence. During this stage, they develop their own self-identity by experimenting different roles, values, goals, and beliefs. This can be by finding the right style for them, setting certain goals for their future, and even forming their own opinions about certain political views. While this stage might be easy for some, others may be faced with role-confusion which is when they are unsure about all of the different societal roles put in front of them. They may struggle to fit in with those around them and may try many different things to find the right role.

At 13 I went on my first trip without my family. I went to Tulsa Oklahoma for a youth trip with some of my friends and their parents. I remember being confident enough to wear a sparkly tulle skirt with enough stars on it to fill the galaxy. Until that point, all of my friends also had similar style. The more I looked at those around me, I began to see that not as many people as I thought liked bright colors like I did. I remember coming home from that trip and a few weeks later my mom took me and my sister with her shopping. I asked to go into Abercrombie instead of Justice. I still wear bright colors to this day but not as crazy of colors as I did back then.

Everyone has that one stage in life that they look back on and regret a fashion choice that they made during that stage. I would like to say that I resolved that stage by keeping my identity true to myself but also falling into the societal norms.

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People during this stage are seeking deep, meaningful relationships with others. Intimacy, which is a close and deep emotional connection with another, is something that many young adults during this stage of life are seeking. Some during this stage choose to enter a long-term relationship such as marriage. and others choose to stay solo. For some people, staying away from intimate relationships can be good, while for others, it can lead to isolation or distancing themselves from close relationships and loneliness.

I am currently in this stage now and I am not currently seeking a romantic relationship with anyone. I am, however, so very grateful to be blessed with such an amazing family and friend group. I am thankful for the intimacy that me and my best friend share and have shared for a very long time. We are able to tell each other anything and value each other's opinions, morals, and advice.

I am not sure how I will resolve this stage, but I do have some goals that I hope to accomplish. I do not wish to be in isolation within the next ten or so years. Hopefully by the time I am 25 I would have met someone special enough to me that I would marry them.

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During this stage, people can choose to contribute to society, through work, family, or other meaningful activities. Generativity, or the desire to contribute to the well-being of future generations, can become a goal for many during this stage of life. Often times a sense of purpose is developed whether that be through being secure in your career, starting a family, or even buying your first house. Accomplishing these life goals and having a purpose can lead to fulfilment, while a lack of direction can lead to stagnation or a lack of development for later years in life.

This picture is not of my parents in their forties, but it is a picture of them starting their family. Different people are given different paths of life and at different timings as well. Some may choose to have kids earlier on in life, and others may choose to wait. Either way, starting a family and raising your children to contribute to their community can be part of this stage. I am not quite in this stage yet, but when I am, I hope to accomplish as much as my parents have.

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During this stage, an individual reflects on their life and how they have contributed their years to those around them. This can foster a sense of accomplishment if the individual feels like they have completed their life goals. Individuals who feel like they have not reached their life accomplishments may feel a loss of self-worth. Those who feel like they have lived their life meaningfully may experience integrity, while those with regrets may feel a sense of despair or the feeling of lost hope from wrong actions.

My Nona is currently in this stage of her life. I talk to her on a regular basis, and I recently asked her about how she feels in this stage of her life. She said - "If the good Lord took me now, I would have to fear that I have raised my kids the right way and I wouldn't have to worry about what they would do without me" She continued to explain how she isn't scared of death as much anymore because she knows that she is leaving behind a great story for me to tell to my grandkids, just like she tells me and my siblings about her mom and her Nona.

I can't say for sure how I feel how I would resolve this stage in my life quite yet, but I hope to one day be as accepting to it as my sweet Nona is.