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Stage 1: Basic Trust versus Basic Mistrust

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Stage 1: Basic Trust versus Basic Mistrust

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Infants learn to trust or mistrust. If caregivers are good then the infant develops trust in the world. If neglected, the child develops mistrust.

A personal example is my mother met her milestones early during infancy. She was walking at 8 months old. She developed trust with her parents and babysitter.
As Erikson defined, “If trust predominates, as it should, children develop hope: the belief they can fulfill their needs and obtain their desires. If mistrust predominates, children will view the world unfriendly and unpredictable and will have trouble forming quality relationships.” (p. 150)

Martorell, G. (2023). Child (3rd.) McGraw Hill LLC.

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Stage 2: Autonomy versus Shame and Doubt

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Stage 2: Autonomy versus Shame and Doubt

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Children develop a sense of independence. If caregivers are supportive, children grow to be self-confident. However, if caregivers are critical then the child develop shame and guilt. Characteristics of this stage, are physical growth, coordination, and basic emotions.

My mother was a headstrong toddler that would climb everything and had no fear. This showed that her parents were positive and supportive and helped to develop her independence. "As children are better able to make their wishes understood, they become more powerful and independent." (p.156)

Martorell, G. (2023). Child (3rd.) McGraw Hill LLC.

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Children begin to play and explore. If caregivers are supportive then the child learn to be initiative. If caregivers are critical then the child develops guilt and feel inferior. The characteristics of this stage are learning to play, forming friendships, and understanding emotions.

My mother attended preschool in Russia. The teachers were very strict and unaffectionate. She recalls being very unhappy because her Russian language was not good as a non-native speaker. She remembers being forced to go outside for long periods of time. She loved to go home from school and be with the housekeeper who was affectionate. She was rejected as a peer and felt lonely. "The need to deal with conflicting feelings about the self is at the heart of the third stage of psychosocial development." (p.210)

Martorell, G. (2023). Child (3rd.) McGraw Hill LLC.

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Children work at learning new things and tasks. If parents and teachers give positive feedback, the child develops confidence, empathy, and competence. If given criticism, the child develops feelings of being inferior. The parents at this time should be shifting their power to oversee things and provide the child to have greater autonomy and self-regulation. The characteristics of this stage are physical growth, athletic development which can start by being part of a team, and social networks with peers.

My mother advised she loved school. She felt very strong in her academic ability, but felt inferior to other girls, most of her friends were boys. My mother was very much a "tomboy." She recalls her 4th grade teacher who was overly critical and commented on not dressing like other girls in the class. Her actions made her feel like she didn't belong. “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.” (p.276)

Martorell, G. (2023). Child (3rd.)
McGraw Hill LLC.

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Stage 5: Identity versus Identity Confusion 

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Stage 5: Identity versus Identity Confusion 

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The child is an adolescent developing self identity and exploring different possibilities for the future. If positive, the child develops their identity and have hope for the future. If negative, they child may be confused and apprehensive of the future.

My mother went to boarding school when she was 12 years old. She advised it was scary and exciting at the same time. She was accepted by majority of her peers, however there were a few "mean" girls. She had the opportunity to meet people from different backgrounds which allowed her to be a very open-minded adult. She advised she had no idea what she wanted to do as an adult, but did not fear the future. She felt at that age life at so many possibilities. "The effort to make sense of the self is part of a healthy process that builds on the achievement of earlier stages - on trust, autonomy, initiative, and industry - and lays the groundwork for coping with the challenges of adult life." (p.336)

Martorell, G. (2023). Child (3rd.) McGraw Hill LLC.

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Adults work to form relationships and connection. If possible they will have a sense of intimacy with people. If it is negative then they may feel very isolated and lonely.

My mother went to college and married at 21 years old. She gave birth to me at the age of 23. She advised marriage was difficult at times because why she was young and still discovering her actual self. She volunteered and joined church groups to make new friends and help an identity for herself. However, at 31 she was divorced and had to create a new life and form new relationships. She began and career and remarried. She lost a ton of confidence in herself, but slowly created a new network of friends and a new self-identity. "In the social jungle of human existence, there is no feeling of being alive without a sense of identity."

Erikson, E. "Identity Youth and Crisis", 1968

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Stage 7: Generativity versus Stagnation 

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Stage 7: Generativity versus Stagnation 

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In this stage called middle adulthood, the individual is working on themselves and their contributions to the world. If positive the individual has a sense of accomplishment. If negative, the individual feels unfulfilled.

This is my mother's current stage as she is 56. My mother is focused on her work and family. She has a sucessful career as a supervisor. She has been working for almost 20 years. She has a very enjoyable marriage. She has a few close friends. "The more you know yourself, the more patience you have for what you see in others."

Erikson, E. "Insight and Responsibility". (1964).

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Older adults reflect on their lives. If they found meaning throughout their life, they experience a sense of integrity and fullfillment. If they have not found meaning in their life, they may have regret and sadness.

My mother is not yet to this stage, but when asked about her life she said she has a few regrets, but that the events and her past decisions have made her the person she is. "Deep down nobody in his right mind can visualize his own existence without assuming that he has always lived and will live hereafter."

Erikson, E. "Insight and Responsibility." (1964).