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Stage 1: Basic trust vs. Mistrust | Birth-1 year

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Stage 1: Basic trust vs. Mistrust | Birth-1 year

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This first stage of development determines how trusting a person will be later in life. If a baby has attentive, caring parents that provide frequent, quality care, then they will resolve this conflict and are more likely to be confident in the goodness of others later in life. However, when parents are not as heedful to their baby’s needs, the baby is at risk of not resolving the crisis, which can result in a mistrustful, closed-off adult.

In my own life, I have no doubt that this conflict was resolved favorably, because I have always had very loving and attentive parents. Now, I am a very trusting person who always strives to see the good in others. According to the text, a “mistrustful baby cannot count on the kindness and compassion of others, so she protects herself by withdrawing from people and things around her.” This description does not match my personality in the slightest. I am involved with people and I trust people almost to a fault.

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Stage 2: Autonomy vs. Shame and doubt | 1-3 years

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Stage 2: Autonomy vs. Shame and doubt | 1-3 years

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This crisis involves a toddler’s desire to have independence. They may want to dress themselves or feed themselves, and this behavior should be encouraged. When a child is able to explore their world and their abilities with supportive, patient parents, they will resolve this crisis positively and be more likely to be confident in their abilities later in life. When and if a child is not able to perform these tasks, this should not be met with anger or impatience. If the child is unable to explore their newfound confidence and independence, the child feels shame, and may be diffident later in life.

I was not immune to the “terrible two’s” stereotype. I definitely went through a phase of craving independence, and I often hear from family how comical it was that I would frustratedly yell, “I do it myself!” I spoke to my parents about this phase, and they ensure me that when appropriate, I was always to permitted to make my own choices and do things myself, and my parents met my “assertions of independence with tolerance and understanding.”

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Stage 3: Initiative vs. Guilt | 3-6 years

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Stage 3: Initiative vs. Guilt | 3-6 years

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Young children in this stage begin to tackle new skills that they see at home or within popular culture through imaginative play. A child may pretend to be a doctor or pretend to fix a toy car like his father, a mechanic. When children are encouraged and guided by adults during this crisis, it will be resolved favorably and the child will embrace these skills and continue to develop them. However, if they are not supported, or even scolded, the child will feel guilt and this curiosity will be lost.

When I was this age, my little brother was born. I had to step up to be a good big sister and help my parents. I had to take a lot of initiative to meet their expectations. I have a vivid memory of my brother crying because he needed his diaper changed. My parents were not in the room and I was tired of hearing my brother cry, so I climbed into his Pack-and-Play and changed his diaper myself. This clearly aligns with initiative vs. guilt. I displayed just what is described in the text with, “ children act out family scenes…” I had seen my parents change my brother’s diaper countless times, so I was confident that I could do it too.,

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Stage 4: Industry vs. Inferiority | 6-11 years

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Stage 4: Industry vs. Inferiority | 6-11 years

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During this stage of development, children grow in their proficiency in skills and social abilities. A child who has revolved this crisis favorably can cooperate with friends and family members, and those relationships may begin to have deeper meaning to them. They will also be proficient in skills and/or academics. A child who does not favorably resolve this crisis faces inferiority, causing them to have lower self esteem and confidence.

For the most part, I always did very well in school. My parents were supportive and often helped me with my homework and encouraged me to read lots of books. This instilled many positive experiences with education, and I am sure that much of my academic success can be attributed to that. Like described in the text, achieving my academic goals as a child allowed my to develop “a positive but realistic self-concept [and] pride in accomplishment” necessary to tackle the rest of my academic career with confidence. The positive emotions I had from being successful in school prompted me to be productive in other areas, too, when I was not doing schoolwork.

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Stage 5: Identity vs. Role confusion | Adolescence 

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Stage 5: Identity vs. Role confusion | Adolescence 

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During adolescence, teens begin to ponder their own identities, often wondering who they really are, what their future holds, and what their values are. This can be a very stressful stage for young people. There are countless factors of one’s identity including gender, religion, hobbies and interests, sexuality, and much more. Those who resolve this crisis favorably gain a better understanding of themselves and can focus on their goals and productivity as an adult. Those who remain confused about their identity cannot focus in the same way, and may be challenged by the demands of adulthood.

I think that identity is something that evolves constantly throughout someone’s life, although there is no debate that it is an especially complex issue for adolescents. I’ve always been someone who gets along well with anyone, so when I was young and trying to base my identity on those of my friends’, that made identity development especially difficult. I wasn’t until my late teen years, when I left high school band and spent less time my long-term group of friends, that I was able to focus on myself, and I started to form a better understanding of my own identity. According to the text, “The process of identity formation typically involves exploring a range of alternatives, making provisional commitments, engaging in in-depth evaluation of one’s choices, and—if those choices fit poorly with one’s capacities and potentials—refocusing on possible alternative commitments.” As a teenager, I often associate with many different kinds of people. It could be said that I was “trying on” numerous different interests and identities to find what felt right.

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Stage 6: Intimacy vs. Isolation | Early adulthood

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Stage 6: Intimacy vs. Isolation | Early adulthood

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During early adulthood, an individual will either have close, intimate relationships with others, or at least will have the ability to form them. Conversely, those who may not have resolved past stages healthfully may not be able to form these close relationships.
I am in this stage now, and I believe I am resolving it. I have several very close friends that I know I can rely on, and I easily make other friendships, as well. This is not shocking, as I don’t believe I have experienced disappointments in my past developmental stages.

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Stage 7: Generativity vs. Stagnation | Adulthood

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Stage 7: Generativity vs. Stagnation | Adulthood

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During this stage of development in adulthood, individuals either stagnate, meaning they do nothing for the younger generation, or they are generative, and they do give their time, and often wisdom, to those of the younger generation. Those who stagnate often feel unaccomplished. Many adults are generative by raising children.

As a teacher, generativity is practically in the job description. I am very excited for the opportunity to work closely with students and help them attain their goals.

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Stage 8: Integrity vs. Despair | Late Adulthood

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Stage 8: Integrity vs. Despair | Late Adulthood

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During this final stage of development, late adults reminiscence on their life, and they do so either negatively or positively. Those who feel satisfied with the life they lived have a positive outlook on the rest of their life and are less fearful of death. Meanwhile, those who have many regrets or are generally unsatisfied with their lives do fear dying.

I have lots of life left to live, and I plan on living it to the fullest so that I can resolve this crisis. If I work hard and keep my values, I believe that I will look back on my life with great satisfaction.