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At this stage we are uncertain about the world in which we find ourselves and must develop basic trust. This is a very important development in our timeline. We are entirely reliant on our parents or guardians for warmth, love, stability, and nurturing. If reliable and predictable, we gain confidence, a sense of security, and a feeling of safety in the world. Failure in this stage could result in the development of fear, mistrust, suspicion, anxiety, and possibly a belief that the world is to be feared. With a good balance between trust and mistrust we remain open to experience and yet aware of the potential for danger. It is not recommended for children to be all or nothing, overly trusting or not trusting at all.   Success in this stage sets up the virtue of hope, that whatever we may face there will be someone around to love and support us.

"The critical theme of infancy is basic trust vs mistrust. People need to trust the world and the people in it, but they also need to learn some mistrust to protect themselves from danger."

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Stage two focuses on developing sense of personal control and independence. Parents and caregivers begin to give the option for us to make some of our own decisions. We become increasingly mobile and develop physically, asserting our independence, putting on clothes, and playing with other children. Success over bodily functions and taking control of simple choices gives us a sense of personal power, feelings of autonomy, and a greater sense of being able to survive in the world. If we are overly criticized and controlled, or prevented from asserting ourselves, we may feel unable to survive, lacking in self-esteem and become very dependent on others. Parents should encourage their child to explore limits, gently testing boundaries, while avoiding criticism when they don't succeed.

"The strength that emerges during this stage is will. As children are better able to make their wishes understood they become more powerful and independent."

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This stage in development occurs during preschool years when we are learning to assert ourselves and typically beginning direct play and social interactions. Our behavior may seem vigorous, overly assertive, or even aggressive, and yet we are exploring our interpersonal skills. If criticized too much or too harshly, we will begin to develop a sense of guilt. If we are successful in stage three, we learn to feel capable and secure with ourselves. If we fail, we may suffer guilt and self-doubt and become less likely to believe in ourselves. Success in stage three is vital to building the virtue of purpose as opposed to feelings of guilt. However, a balance between initiative and guilt remains key to developing a healthy mindset.

"The need to deal with conflicting feelings about the self is at the heart of the third stage of psychosocial development."

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In stage four of Erikson’s psychosocial theory, we are immersed in a world of education, learning to read, write, and solve math puzzles. Teachers play an essential role in our continued growth. Peer groups, and social interactions are increasingly relevant in the development of our self-esteem, and feelings of pride arise as we successfully perform or complete tasks. If successful, development leads to the virtue of competence, while failure can result in a sense of inferiority, where we feel unable to perform specific skills. Learning to fail can be a crucial element in our maturation leading to the development of modesty.

"Developing a sense of industry, involves learning how to work hard to achieve goals. If the stage is successfully resolved, children develop a view of themselves as being able to master skills and complete tasks. If they become too industrious, they may neglect social relationships and become workaholics."

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New opportunities, experiences, and changes to the body and mind in stage five are crucial to our sense of who we are and have a considerable bearing on our adult years. These years provide a valuable and in-depth exploration of beliefs, goals, and values while searching for personal identity and a sense of self. Success leads to the belief that we are staying true to who we are. Erikson claims that we grow into our bodies and begin to form our identity as a result of our ongoing explorations. With appropriate encouragement and reinforcement, we move toward increasing independence and a stronger sense of control and self. Our inability to create a sense of identity within society results in confusion and a poor sense of self. This failure can lead to insecurity and unsureness of ourselves and where we fit.

"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 achievements of earlier stages and lays groundwork for coping with the challenges of adult life."

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As young adults, we are encouraged to explore personal relationships and our desire to form close relationships.
In the sixth stage of Erikson’s psychosocial development theory, young adulthood takes place between the ages of 18 and 30. Major conflict can arise as we attempt to form long term commitments outside of our family, with varying degrees of success. And yet, positive outcomes result in happy and healthy relationships that are secure and long-lasting, developing the virtue of love. Erikson’s view is that the ability to love marks the ultimate success of stage six when relationships are meaningful and lasting. Failure to form appropriate relationships or the avoidance of intimacy may result in loneliness and depression. Those with a poor sense of self are usually emotionally isolated and less committed to relationships.

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

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During our middle ages, we display our need for longevity, not necessarily in a physical sense, but as in the long-term impact we have on others. We strive to make a mark on the world, to nurture things that will live on after us. We may look for ways to be more productive and valuable to our community. Success is demonstrated by virtue of care. The feeling of being useful in life, accomplishing something, and contributing to society. We are proud of who we are, what we have achieved, our children and who they have become. Failure, however, looks much different. We feel we have had little impact on the world, failing to make a difference. We feel unproductive, uninvolved, and disconnected from the world in which we live.

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

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In this time in our life, we slow down and spend time thinking of our accomplishments in life. The belief that we have achieved our goals and found happiness, leading to the feeling of integrity illustrates success for the eighth stage. We feel we have achieved much and are ready to meet our end with a sense of peace. However, failure may be experienced as despair and regret over things not we have not done or mistakes we have made. We are upset about the past and present, frightened of life coming to an end without a sense of having lived more.

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

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Think of an important event in the person's childhood. List it and describe it. What does this event tell you about yourself in Erikson's stages?

-Moving in high school.
-When I was in the ninth grade I had been living with my dad in Indiana. After visiting my mom the following summer, in Oklahoma, I decided to stay and live with her. Looking back now this is a regret I have. Not because I did not enjoy being with my mom, but because I chose to stay for a boy. Later in high school and at home I would experience several terrible moments in life that I don't believe I would have encountered if I would have stayed in Indiana. The majority of my life experiences at that time were not ones I would recommend for anyone.
-Stage 5: Identity vs Confusion would have been the stage I was in at this time. And I was very confused throughout the majority of this period in my life.

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Basic Trust vs Mistrust

I have always felt very loved and as though everything was going to be okay. I believe I successfully developed basic trust or Stage one.

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Autonomy vs Shame

Looking back at pictures and hearing stories told by my parents and family members I believe I successfully developed autonomy in stage two.

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Initiative vs Guilt

At this stage I'm not sure that I had harsh parenting or any reasoning behind this, but I do remember always being worried about everything I did. Always worried I was doing something wrong. I was extremely shy and constantly doubted every decision I made. I believe it took more time for me to successfully develop the initiative stage.

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Industry vs Inferiority

I was very industrious, always trying to do my best. Looking for constant praise and approval for my hard work may have made me seem as though I was a workaholic. Although I don't believe I was. I just enjoyed when people were happy with my progress or projects. I would day I developed industry stage well.

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Identity vs Confusion

During middle school and high school years I feel like I struggled to develop an identity. I was constantly confused. I had no idea who I was, who I wanted to be, or where I was going. Constantly feeling like I was different person every other day was very hard on me. To this day I still struggle with identity.

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Intimacy vs Isolation

This is a tough one for me. I don't believe I have been able to handle or develop long term relationships, friendships or intimate relationships, very well. I did not have the best modeling of stable relationships as a child. Is that a factor as to why this stage has been so hard for me? Maybe, but I can not say for sure. I spend a lot of time forcing myself to not become isolated or shut off to the world. I do battle loneliness and depression quite often. I would say I am still in this stage of development and hopefully will make it through on the positive side.

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Generativity vs Stagnation

I believe I am becoming successful in generativity. I am finding my way to feel useful and make a mark on the world. I feel as though the path I have chosen will really help me help others and feel accomplished.

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Integrity vs Despair

Although I have not reached this stage in life yet, I want to say that I will choose integrity over despair. Finding peace and live my life to the fullest is all I can hope to do. Live with as little regret as possible and when the time comes welcome it with nothing left to feel as though I missed out on. I hope to feel complete with the life I am choosing to live.

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I feel as though I have a better insight as to why I have made some of the choices I have in life. As well as why I felt the way I did and do. Based on these choices and decisions in which stage it correlated with in my own growth I believe I have a better understanding now.

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When I think of my future, I see myself being able to be more involved in my family. Having the ability to travel and see the world with my kids. I also envision myself in a school teaching little ones and helping them grow. I hope to have a happy life as well as happy kids who love their life.

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How can we be generative adults? What might lead to stagnation?

We can achieve being generative adults by feeling like we've made a difference in someone's life or left our mark on the world. Feelings of accomplishment in our life, helping others and knowing that we've done good or improved something for others.
Giving up on our goals, in my case that would be school, and continuing to wonder what I am going to do but not do anything about it would lead to stagnation.