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Erikson's first stage of development is basic trust versus mistrust. This stage occurs from birth to 12-18 months. During this stage, the baby starts forming an opinion on whether or not the world is a safe place. When the infant's needs are met they begin forming trust, but if their needs are neglected, the baby will begin to form mistrust. I spoke with my mother regarding my own personal experiences during infancy. She explained to me that I was a fussy baby, and she would sing songs to me and lightly bounce me in her arms to calm me down when I cried. She told me that sometimes when I wouldn't stop crying we would go for long drives because being in the car always soothed me. This shows that my parents met my needs and showed me affection to help me gain a sense of trust. The textbook explains this first stage as the following: "In these early months, babies need to develop a balance between trust, which lets them form intimate relationships, and mistrust, which enables them to protect themselves."

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Erikson's second stage of development is autonomy versus shame and doubt. This stage occurs from 12-18 months to 3 years. During this stage, toddlers begin to learn to make choices and explore the world while becoming a little more independent (autonomy). When toddlers are not given the chance to make their own decisions they begin to experience shame and doubt. Criticism can also make a toddler experience shame which will prevent the child from wanting to try new things. I spoke with my mother regarding my own personal experiences during my toddler years. She explained to me that I was an independent toddler and I was always eager to make my own decisions and explore the world around me. She told me that I always insisted to choose my own outfits and despite how mismatched and ridiculous they usually were, she allowed me to make small decisions like this to encourage my autonomy. This shows that my mother allowed me the opportunity to make my own decisions and gain independence which helped me to gain autonomy. The textbook explains this stage as the following: "Children achieve a balance between self-determination and control by others."

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Erikson's third stage is initiative versus guilt. This stage occurs from 3 to 6 years of age. During this stage children build upon the autonomy they gained in the previous stage and learn to initiate activities and new experiences with other children. When children are given the chance to successfully initiate activities with others they gain a sense of initiative. However, if children are not given enough freedom or are criticized too harshly, then they will experience guilt. I spoke with my mother about my childhood experiences and she explained to me that she believes I received too much criticism from my father because he is a perfectionist. She also admitted that she considered herself a "helicopter mom" so she did not let me have any control. She told me that during this stage I was fearful to initiate any activities with my classmates. This leads me to believe that I experienced guilt due to excess criticism and a lack of control in my childhood. The textbook explained this stage as the following: "Children balance the urge to pursue goals with reservations about doing so."

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Erikson's fourth stage is industry versus inferiority. This stage occurs from 6 years of age to puberty. During this stage, children are beginning to feel like they need approval and start searching for ways to prove that they are good enough. When a child receives adequate encouragement, praise, and validation for their hobbies and interests then they fall under the industry category. However, if a child feels like they are not good enough and does not receive enough positive feedback, then they begin to feel inferior. I spoke with my mother regarding my childhood experiences, and she explained that my father was never an affectionate father to me when I was growing up. She explained that she tried to give me the validation that I needed, but she acknowledged that I likely needed more encouragement than I received from either of my parents. This information leads me to believe that I felt inferior due to a lack of validation and encouragement from my parents. The textbook describes this stage as the following: "Children must learn the productive skills their culture requires or else face feelings of inferiority."

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Stage 5: Identity vs. Identity Confusion

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Stage 5: Identity vs. Identity Confusion

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Erikson's fifth stage is identity versus identity confusion. This stage occurs from puberty to young adulthood. During this stage, teens are becoming more independent and begin to examine themselves and discover what type of person they want to become. When teenagers experience difficulties while exploring their identity, they may experience identity confusion. Identity confusion occurs when the adolescent doesn't understand their purpose or place in the world. When I was going through this stage, I believe I had identity confusion because I always compared myself to my older sister. I never had goals for myself because my main objective was to follow in my older sister's footsteps. I believe that during this stage of my development I had identity confusion. The textbook describes this stage as the following: "An adolescent seeks to develop a coherent sense of self, including the role she or he is to play in society."

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Erikson's sixth stage is intimacy versus isolation. This stage occurs during young adulthood. During this stage, adults form intimate relationships with others and learn the importance of commitment within these relationships. If adults fear commitment and avoid intimacy, then they choose isolation. I believe that during this stage I currently have intimacy because I have learned to trust people enough to make commitments and form deep relationships. The textbook defines this stage as the following: "Person seeks to make commitments to others or may suffer from isolation and self-absorption."

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Erikson's seventh stage is generativity versus stagnation. This stage occurs during middle adulthood. During this stage, mature adults feel a sense of usefulness and achievement when they fall under the generativity category. Adults that stagnate often feel useless and unproductive. I believe that when I reach this stage, I will have generativity because I enjoy giving to others and contributing to many aspects of my community. I feel that these passions will help me feel useful. The textbook describes this stage as the following: "Mature adult is concerned with establishing and guiding the next generation or else feels personal impoverishment."

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Erikson's eighth stage is integrity versus despair. This stage occurs during late adulthood. During this stage, elderly adults that have integrity rejoice in their life accomplishments and accept death because they are content with the life they lived. Elderly adults that have despair often feel guilt, failure, and hopelessness about the life that they lived. I believe that when I reach this stage, I will have integrity because my grandma has served as a perfect example of a well-lived life. I hope I will follow in her footsteps and accept death and rejoice in the life that I lived. The textbook defined this stage as the following: "Elderly person achieves acceptance of own life, allowing acceptance of death, or else despairs over inability to relive life."