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Stage 1 of Erikson's Psychosocial Development Theory involves trust versus mistrust. At this stage, the child is questioning whether they can trust the world and whether or not their needs are met. If a child is nurtured and cared for properly, they develop trust. If a child is neglected or abused, the child develops mistrust.

I developed trust. My mom was very caring and affectionate during this stage of development. She would always hold me when I needed it and was very reliable.

“People need to trust the world and the people in it, but they also need to learn some mistrust to protect themselves from danger. In toddlerhood, the critical theme is autonomy or a sense of agency and independence. A child who first successfully developed a sense of trust would be in a particularly good position to develop this strength. After all, if you feel that others have your back, you are likely to try new things and thus develop new skills. By contrast, if you feel alone and uncertain, you can still develop autonomy, but it is more difficult. Ideally, each stage builds on the preceding one."

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Stage 2 involves autonomy versus shame and doubt. At this stage, the child is questioning whether it is ok for them to be themselves, if they are allowed to complete tasks on their own, or if they are allowed to explore at will. If a child is allowed to complete those tasks they develop autonomy and the will to do things on their own. If a child is punished or yelled at for trying to be independent, they will doubt their ability to complete the tasks and develop shame or doubt.

I developed autonomy. My mom allowed me to pick out my own shoes and dress myself. She informed me that I didn't care much about what clothes I wore at this age as long as I was able to put them on myself. I loved picking out my own shoes but was also very indecisive about it so my mom had to be very patent with me and she allowed me to pick them out most of the time (unless we were running late).

"Caregivers who view children’s expressions of self-will as a normal, healthy striving for independence and not as stubbornness can help them learn self-control, contribute to their sense of competence, and avoid excessive conflict."

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Stage 3 involves initiative versus guilt. At this stage, a child is questioning whether or not it's okay for them to do, act or move in certain ways. Children at this stage need to be able to decide some things for themselves, they are learning independence. Children like to learn to ride bikes, explore, draw, and use different tools at this age. If they are supported by parents and teachers they develop the initiative to do it on their own. If they are discouraged from doing these activities on their own, they develop guilt.

I developed initiative. Although I would rather stick by my mom than go play alone, I really enjoyed learning what my mom was doing and how she was doing it. During this stage, my parent's divorced and my biological father went to jail. I gained a much better dad here, who has always been there for me, as well as stepsiblings, but at this stage, I didn't want to leave my mom's side. I learned how to ride a bike and I jumped off a tire swing into the Kankakee River at the age of 3 with my teenage stepbrothers (I vividly remember this).

"Preschool children can do—and want to do—more and more. At the same time, they are learning that some of the things they want to do meet social approval, whereas others do not."

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Stage 4 involves industry versus inferiority. At this stage, children are learning new skills and are required to do well or they fail. Their lack of success will make them feel inferior to their peers. Children are asking whether or not they will be able to make it in this world of people and things. They are rewarded for success in school, sports, and other activities which leads them to work harder to accomplish more tasks and learn new skills. If they fall behind, children are shamed for their poor performance which may lead to burnout and no motivation.

I developed inferiority in this stage. During elementary school at about 2-3 grade, I began falling behind because I couldn't grasp the concepts as well as my peers and my teachers didn't have the time to help me catch up or learn it one on one. At this time, I wasn't falling behind so much so that they thought it was a learning disability or I truly didn't understand they just assumed I was lazy and didn't want to do the work. Although I continued to fall behind, I continued struggling for the rest of my school career. I definitely felt inferior and wasn't motivated to continue to learn as I was scared of getting ridiculed or left behind. I continue to feel that now as most of the people I graduated high school with have graduated college and I am still not even halfway through.

"As with all of Erikson’s stages, there is an opportunity for growth represented by a sense of industry and a complementary risk represented by inferiority. If children are unable to obtain the praise of others or lack motivation and self-esteem, they may develop a feeling of low self-worth and thus develop a sense of inferiority. This is problematic because, during middle childhood, children must learn skills valued in their society. Developing a sense of industry, by contrast, involves learning how to work hard to achieve goals."

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Stage 5: Identity Vs. Identity/Role Confusion

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Stage 5: Identity Vs. Identity/Role Confusion

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Stage 5 involves identity versus identity/role confusion. At this stage, children normally care about how they look and want to be perceived. They question who they are and who they can be. Many teenagers jump between relationships trying to figure out who they want to be. In order to establish their identity, they normally join groups that include sports, religion, or political views.

I developed identity/role confusion. I wasn't involved with any particular group nor was I in a relationship. I didn't care about how I looked or how others perceived me. I had very low self-esteem and was in a dark place for most of these years with depression, anxiety, ADD, and ODD. I had a handful of friends, but nobody ever really stuck around. I didn't know who I was or who I wanted to be. I didn't go to school games, hardly any dances, and I also didn't know much about politics or religion. I was a loner for most of this stage.

"Identity forms as young people resolve three major issues: the choice of an occupation, the adoption of values to live by, and the development of a satisfying sexual identity. The effort to make sense of the self is part of a healthy process that builds on the achievements of earlier stages—on trust, autonomy, initiative, and industry—and lays the groundwork for coping with the challenges of adult life."

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Stage 6 involves intimacy and isolation. At this stage, most people are ready to settle down and have a family. They question whether or not they can love and make long-lasting commitments. Romantic relationships are important in this stage. If a person can successfully be in a romantic relationship and make commitments to another person they form intimacy. If a person is selfish or is scared of commitment, they develop isolation.

I developed intimacy. During my second year of college, I met the love of my life. I don't know what I would do without her, and I look forward to our future together. I am ready to settle down and have kids and a family together. I know how to love and reciprocate that feeling. I am ready to make a forever commitment with her when the time is right.

"Person seeks to make commitments to others or may suffer from isolation and self-absorption."

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Stage 7 involves generativity versus stagnation. At this stage, people are normally concerned for the future generation, they want to help younger people and leave their mark on society. They question how they can make their life count or if they have contributed to society in a meaningful way. they focus on raising responsible children and caring for their families. They develop stagnation if they are unwilling to help or are selfish people.

I believe I will develop generativity. I care about helping my family as well as society. I try to help as much as I can when I can.

"Mature adult is concerned with establishing and guiding the next generation or else feels personal impoverishment."

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Stage 8 involves integrity versus despair. At this stage, people are retiring and slowing down. They reflect on their accomplishments and others as well. They tend to ask if it was ok for them to be who they were. People who look back on life and are ok with who they were, develop wisdom and integrity. People who regret their past develop despair and aren't at peace with dying.

I hope I develop integrity. There are only a few life accomplishments I am truly concerned about making that involve becoming a teacher, having a family, and watching my children grow up to thrive better than I did.

"Elderly person achieves acceptance of own life, allowing acceptance of death, or else despairs over inability to relive life."