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According to Child by Martorell on page 130, "the critical element in developing trust is sensitive, responsive, consistent caregiving."  The first stage typically begins during infancy to continues to 18 months. As infants we rely solely on our caregivers to provide for our needs, love, warmth, stability, and nurturing. When all needs are met, we are able to gain a sense of security, trust, confidence, and can form intimate relationships with others. If the care we received as infants was inconsistent and unstable, the child may develop fear, anxiety, and mistrust. As an infant, my mom has told me that I was a quiet, calm baby. She would allow for my older siblings to take turns to carry, feed, and play with me. Hearing how much affections I received I knew, as an infant, I was able to develop a good balance of trust and mistrust. To this day, I'm able to form deep relationships and can rely on those around me for the support and help I may need.

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As defined on page 135 by Martorell in her textbook, Child, autonomy vs shame and doubt is the second stage, "in which children achieve a balance between self-determination and control by others." This period lasts from about 18 months to 3 years old. At this stage, toddlers are gaining a sense of independence and self-awareness. Toddlers want more control, power, and try to do things their way, however, shame and doubt are needed in order to set appropriate boundaries on what toddlers are allowed to do. After discussing with my mom, I was informed that she allowed me to have quite the freedom due to how well behaved I was. She would allow for me to do certain things myself, like allowing for me to play with paint by myself and trusting me to not paint on the walls. Of course, as a toddler, one forgets rules while playing and incidents occurred. While my mother was upset, she had me take responsibility and showed me how to clean the mess I created. As a result of her letting me have a bit more freedom, I was allowed to do things myself, letting me experience new things all the while being sure to educate and explain to me on what things I shouldn't do.

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The third stage in Erikson's Development, is where "children balance the urge to pursue goals with reservations about doing so." (Martorell, 2022, pp. 174) This period occurs between the ages 3 to 5 years old. Children begin to behave what may seem too vigorous or assertive. During this stage, children want to take action and assert their power and control through directing play or social interactions. Here, they learn what actions are socially acceptable and which ones are not. When parents are too strict and controlling these behaviors, or when children are met with social disapproval, children will begin to develop a sense of guilt and may feel like they are not capable of taking the initiative. I was really shy, my older siblings were at school for most of the time, while I stayed home with my mom. I grew up in a Spanish-speaking house, so I mainly played with my siblings or parents. They allowed me to take lead or decide what we played, which allowed me to be involved. I was allowed to play freely, as long as I made sure not to play roughly, in a way someone can get hurt.

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"Children must learn the productive skills their culture requires or else face feelings of inferiority." (Martorell, 2022, pp. 220) Industry vs inferiority is the fourth stage of development that typically occurs during middle childhood, around ages 5 to 12. When children are unable to obtain the praise of others, they may start to lack motivation and self-esteem, and develop a sense of inferiority. Developing a sense of competence by praise and approval helps children to work hard to achieve goal and they begin to believe in their skills. Criticism and lack of praise and encouragement results in feelings of inferiority, resulting in those children to doubt their success. As an English as a second language student, I lacked confidence in my skills. However, due to my teachers and parents praising me during the journey of learning English, I began to feel more comfortable interacting during class and with my peers. I was able to be a straight A student in elementary and middle school thanks to the support and encouragement of my friends, teachers, and parents.

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The fifth stage of development is identity vs identity confusion and occurs during adolescence, between ages 12 to 18. During this period, adolescents need 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." (Martorell, 2022, pp. 264) These young people will need to resolve three major issues: choice of an occupation, the adoption of values to live by, and the development of a sexual identity. This stage requires the aid of the other stages, trust, autonomy, initiative, and industry.
This allows young people to search for commitments, develop the virtue of fidelity, the identification with a set of values, an ideology, a religion, sustained loyalty, faith, a creative pursuit, a sense of belonging, or an ethnic group. This is a critical time for adolescents, as the change they are going through, and the environment may cause identity confusion. Cliquishness and intolerance of differences, both hallmarks of adolescence, are defenses against identity confusion. Highschool was stressful for me, it was hard for me to decide what path I wanted to begin taking for my future. I began to make my own choices on what classes I wanted to take or what I wanted to do after school. I began to think what career I should decide on. I bonded with classmates who were similar to me, who valued their education, and future. Due to that, I was able to exceed in AP classes, dual credit classes, and join extracurricular activities that would aid me in college.

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During this stage that occurs from age 19 to 40. Young adults need to form intimate, loving relationships with other people. Erikson believed that a strong sense of personal identity was important for developing intimate relationships. (Martorell, 2022) Those with a poor sense of self tend to have less committed relationships and are more likely to struggle with emotional isolation, loneliness, and depression. Throughout this stage we attempt to form long term commitments outside of family. Having positive relationships lead to security and developing the concept of love. However, to form deep intimate relations with others, one needs to be conformed with their identity. Currently, I developed friendships with my classmates as I continue my education at Ivy Tech in Columbus. I hope the connections I made and will continue to make last for many years.

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During adulthood, ages 40 to 65, we continue to build our lives, career, and family. When successful, an adult will feel that they are contributing to the world by being active in their home and community. Those who fail to form those intimate connections and build their lives or career may feel unproductive and uninvolved in the world. My goals for the future incudes successfully becoming an elementary teacher, being able to travel to the places I desire to see, form deeper connections and friendships, and live abroad like I have always dreamed of. I hope to continue serving people and communities, volunteer and provide relief in areas needed.

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The final psychosocial stage occurs during 65+, when we are considered "old." In this stage, people look back on their life, how they navigated through their choices, and they determine if they were happy with the life they led, leading to feelings of wisdom and happiness. Feelings of regret on things they did or didn't do results in regret and despair.
reflecting on one’s life and either moving into feeling satisfied and happy with one’s life or feeling a deep sense of regret. I hope to look back in satisfaction in being the first in my family to graduate college and go into a career that I enjoyed. When I grow old, I hope that I can look back at my career and be satisfied with the way I performed my job. I hope to be happy with how my relationships with family, loved ones, and friends developed.

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Cherry, Kendra. “Understanding Erikson's Stages of Psychosocial Development.” Verywell Mind, Verywell Mind, 3 Aug. 2022, https://www.verywellmind.com/erik-eriksons-stages-of-psychosocial-development-2795740.

Jeremy Sutton, Ph.D. “Erik Erikson's Stages of Psychosocial Development Explained.” PositivePsychology.com, 9 Mar. 2023, https://positivepsychology.com/erikson-stages/#development.

Martorell, Gabriela. Child. Available from: Yuzu Reader, (3rd Edition). McGraw-Hill Higher Education (US), 2022