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Babies learn to trust or mistrust based on projecting a need and having that need met consistently. 

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"In the early months, babies need to develop a balance between trust, which lets them form intimate relationships, and mistrust, which enables them to protect themselves (Martorell, 2023, p. 150) . This critical stage of psychosocial development, from birth to approximately 18 months,  establishes the attachment cycle.  It's the stage of life of helplessness and learning to trust that others will meet the needs we cannot, namely hunger, safety, security and comfort. A sense of trust that an  infants needs, knowing needs are met is foundational to move to the second stage of development. My parent resolved this crisis as she had attentive parents who met her needs and gave her a sense of security in the world.  Because of that security, she was able to successfully transition to Stage 2.

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This child is beginning to understand shapes and will learn by trial and error.

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Erikson Stage 2 Autonomy v Shame and Doubt

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Erikson Stage 2 Autonomy v Shame and Doubt

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Stage 2, approximately ages 1-3, is a period when young children figure things out without the aid of caregivers but are not yet ready to do it all alone.   "Toddlers need adults to set appropriate limits, and shame and doubt help them to recognize the need for those limits" (Martorell, 2023, p. 156). Children learn to test limits and boundaries, growing more confident in their abilities but they also develop a sense of their limits. For example, a child this age may want an object on a high shelf but recognizes they still need an adult to reach it for them. The autonomous self resolves the crisis by gaining some independence but is comforted knowing where the boundaries exist.  My parent resolved the crisis as she was described as an industrious  child who wanted to do everything herself and was encouraged to do so within her developmental limits. She was given the freedom to develop at her own pace but within boundaries to keep her safe while doing so. Because of her secure attachment and growing autonomy, she resolved the crisis moving on to Stage 3.

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During this stage, from ages 3-6, the autonomous self tries new things. "At the same time, they are learning that some of the things they want to do meet social approval whereas others do not" (Martorell, 2023, p. 210).    For example, sharing blocks is acceptable, hitting with blocks is not.  Correction by a caregiver that teaches a child to understand what action is acceptable and which is not, without being overly punitive will affect the resolution of the crisis positively or negatively.  Excessive guilt may hinder the resolution of this crisis point and delay movement to the next stage of development. My parent resolved this crisis as she was always called an "industrious child" and was always busy, creative, helpful and generally easy to redirect to positive behavior when she needed correcting.

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This stage of development, approximately age 7-11, involves learning new skills and how those skills fit in with the culture in which a child is raised.  "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" (Martorell, 2023, p. 275) .  Good grades and efforts in school are valued,  lack of effort and failing grades are not. Resolving the crisis affects transitioning to the next stage of development.   My parent resolved this crisis by developing her singing talents and playing piano at at early age in church and school. These talents made her well liked and praised by adults. She maintained good grades in school during those years. Research supports the argument that extra curricular activities such as art, music and shorts are indicative of higher academic performance. My mother participated in pays, pageants, numerous church activities and later a civic organization called Rainbow Girls. .

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Adolescence,  approximately ages 12-18, encompasses the onset of puberty and a growing awareness of identity and fitting in with the society in which children will participate as adults.  This stage involves searching for commitment to friends, significant others, skills and talents that define who they are in the world.  Resolution of the identity crisis involves figuring out one's occupation, a value set and being secure in one's gender identity. Further, "adolescents who resolve the identity crisis satisfactorily develop the virtue of fidelity: sustained loyalty, faith or a sense of belonging to a loved one or to friends and companions" (Martorell, 2023, p. 336). My parent resolved this crisis by working when she graduated from high school and by being involved with a singing group that gained some local fame in her small town in the late 1950's.  She was also involved in a civic organization, Rainbow Girls, which provided social interaction and was another place to showcase her talents.

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Humans are social creatures and thrive when connected to other people.  Prolonged isolation inhibits our ability to connect with others. 

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This is the stage of young adulthood, approximately 18 to late  thirties. "A person seeks to make commitments to others or may suffer from isolation and self absorption (Martorell, 2023, p. 11). My parent married in her early 20's and began a family a few years later. She worked during this period of time as well and contributed to the family earnings. She stayed busy with friends, social entertaining and worked various jobs during that time. She resolved the crisis of intimacy with family, friends, and also serving as a choir director and musician in church.

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Erikson Stage 7 Generativity v Stagnation 

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Erikson Stage 7 Generativity v Stagnation 

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Middle adulthood.  "The mature adult is concerned with establishing and guiding the next generation or else feels personally impoverished" (Martorell, 2023, p. 11). For my parent, these years were full with raising two adolescents to adulthood, working various jobs, returning to college, dissolving a multi decade long marriage,  and continuing to remain involved with church. The crisis was resolved by staying busy with a sense of purpose without a marriage partner.  For her, the resolution of this crisis point is generativity.

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Humans reflect over their life's accomplishments and face mortality 

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Erikson's Stage 8 Integrity versus Despair

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Erikson's Stage 8 Integrity versus Despair

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Late adulthood. "Elderly person achieves acceptance of own life allowing acceptance of death or else despairs over inability to relive life" (Martorell, 2023, p. 11). My mother is at this stage of life,, facing the inevitability of her mortality,   Even though she maintains a  deep religious faith in a 9th stage beyond Erikson's 8 stages of development, there is no way to quantify what lies beyond our earthy mortality.  My mother fears death and speaks often of the things she didn't do and now can't do due to failing health and limitations.  She is also reverting to a sense of dependence in that others have to meet her needs, (as in Stage 1).  The crisis remains unresolved.