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Stage 1: Trust vs. Mistrust (birth to 12-18 months)         

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Stage 1: Trust vs. Mistrust (birth to 12-18 months)         

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In Erikson's first stage of psychosocial development, the baby begins to perceive their world and its characteristics. Whether the baby receives affectionate, encompassing, and attentive care will help determine whether trust or mistrust prevails. Martorell (2023) states that "if trust predominates, as it should, children develop hope: the belief they can fulfill their needs and obtain their desires" (p. 150).

I believe I came through this developmental stage with the hope that Martorell describes. As far as I know, my needs as an infant were met and I received adequate affection. My crisis at this stage resolved to trust.

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Stage 2: Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt (12-18 months to 3 years)

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Stage 2: Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt (12-18 months to 3 years)

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A growing sense of independence develops in Erikson's second stage as the toddler begins acting on their own preferences and ideas. The drive for self-sufficiency is counteracted by feelings of shame and doubt that discourage behavior that may go too far.

As far as I can tell, my second developmental stage resolved to autonomy. My parents and siblings gave no indication that I was crippled by shame or doubt, though I did respond when these emotions were used by authority figures to curb bad behavior. As Martorell (2023) notes, "Toddlers need adults to set appropriate limits, and shame and doubt help them recognize the need for those limits" (p. 156). This allows autonomy to grow to a reasonable degree while still promoting appropriate behavior and obedience, and I believe this was enacted in my home environment.

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Stage 3: Initiative vs. Guilt (3 to 6 years)

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Stage 3: Initiative vs. Guilt (3 to 6 years)

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Erikson's third stage of psychosocial development is marked by increased societal influence. While the child must meet more of their own needs independently and pursue their own interests, they will also need to adjust their behavior to fit what is considered appropriate by their culture. Inappropriate words and actions may be met with punishment in an effort to instill a sense of guilt that dissuades future missteps. If the punishment is consistently too severe and confusing for the child, however, the child may be overwhelmed by guilt and lose their initiative.

This is the stage where I have more concrete memories, and thus can more accurately assess my psychosocial progress. I resolved Erikson's third crisis with initiative. I remember being a generally happy child through 1st grade—I played well with others, had friends, and liked trying new things. Martorell (2023) states that "preschool children can do—and want to do—more and more. At the same time, they are learning that some of the things they want to do meet social approval, whereas others do not" (p. 210). I was perceptive and had a relatively clear understanding of what was considered good behavior. I generally met those standards and performed well as a student and as a son.

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Stage 4: Industry vs. Inferiority (6 years to puberty)

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Stage 4: Industry vs. Inferiority (6 years to puberty)

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In Erikson's fourth stage, the child must go beyond simply performing acceptable behavior—they must actively develop the basic skills necessary to become a successful and productive adult in their society. If the child fails to learn/perform adequately or does not obtain positive feedback, they may feel incompetent and risk a poorer outlook for their future.

Martorell (2023) summarizes the danger of this stage as follows: "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. 275). Unfortunately, inferiority was the resolution of my fourth stage. In 3rd grade I began to detect the dysfunction in my household, where my father had frequent and explosive conflicts with my mother and siblings. A lack of explicit love and encouragement combined with harsh criticism, verbal abuse, and emotional neglect led to feelings of intense inferiority and low self-esteem.

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Stage 5: Identity vs. Identity Confusion (puberty to young adulthood)

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Stage 5: Identity vs. Identity Confusion (puberty to young adulthood)

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As the adolescent progresses through Erikson's fifth stage of development, they come to terms with their identity and take actions that directly affect their career options later in life. Failure to establish a coherent identity and commit to a life path may result in aimlessness and loneliness that persist into adulthood.

My strongest sense of identity at this point was that I did not want to be like my father. But simply knowing what my identity wasn’t was not enough. Martorell (2023) defines identity as "a coherent conception of the self made up of goals, values, and beliefs to which the person is solidly committed" (p. 335); I did not possess this firm self-concept. I struggled with low self-confidence and confusion about my path in life. As such, I resolved this stage with identity confusion.

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Stage 6: Intimacy vs. Isolation (young adulthood)

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Stage 6: Intimacy vs. Isolation (young adulthood)

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The young adult's social life and relationships help determine the resolution of Erikson's sixth stage of psychosocial development. Commitment to loved ones and romantic partners provides a solid foundation on which generativity can be built in middle adulthood. These connections help solidify the young adult's self-concept and broaden their life goals to include serving others. Failure to connect may cultivate egocentrism and isolation.

I was incredibly fortunate to meet Sarah, my wife, in college when we were both 19 years old. Finally living away from my family and experiencing love for the first time, I was able to get my life back on track thanks to Sarah. Without her, I likely would have come through young adulthood struggling psychologically. As Martorell (2023) notes, "previous data on social isolation indicate it is strongly associated with an increase in depression and anxiety in teens" (p. 311). Learning how to develop intimacy and devote myself to others allowed me to stave off my feelings of depression that had grown since middle childhood. Thankfully, I resolved this stage with intimacy.

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Stage 7: Generativity vs. Stagnation (middle adulthood)

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Stage 7: Generativity vs. Stagnation (middle adulthood)

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In Erikson's seventh stage of development, the middle-aged adult's life diverges toward either generativity or stagnation. Generativity builds on the intimacy cultivated in the previous stage. It involves working to improve the adult's community, their family's lives, and their own life. Failure to do so may result in a sense of emptiness and low self-worth.

I think of generativity as doing one's part to make the world a better place, and this is certainly a personal goal of mine. I have not yet reached middle adulthood, but I expect to resolve this stage with generativity. I have a loving family with my wife and daughter, and I am setting myself up for a meaningful career as an educator. I intend to deepen my commitment to helping and volunteering in my community to guide and aid those who need it. Martorell (2023) notes that "exposure to community violence and living in a dangerous community are strong predictors of future antisocial behavior" (p. 355), so community involvement is an important means of improving the lives of the next generation.

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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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Erikson's eighth and final stage of psychosocial development is the culmination of a life's worth of decisions, relationships, traumas, and work. The senior adult either looks back confidently at a fulfilled life or laments over the path their life has taken.

Matorell (2023) states that a poor outcome at this stage involves the adult's despair "over [their] inability to relive life" (p. 13). I do not expect this to happen in my case. I believe I will resolve with integrity. My role as a devoted husband, father (and potentially grandfather), teacher, and community mentor will provide the relationships and generative work that I need to accept old age and death with a sense of fulfillment.