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Infants learn to trust that their parents will meet their basic needs. If these needs are not met, mistrust, suspicion, and anxiety may start to develop. The book states, " In these early months, babies need to develop a balance between trust, which lets them form intimate relationships, and mistrust, which enables them to protect themselves"

At the very early age of two months old, I could not be left alone with anybody due to extreme separation anxiety. My mother had to pick me up from my aunts house late at night because I would hold my breath until she got me.

Resolution: Mistrust

Reasoning: Seems that I felt I couldn't trust anyone besides my mother.

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The stage when a child learns to be independent and make their own decisions in life. It is important to promote autonomy, but also need to remember that shame and guilt is apart of life as well. The book states, "In the United States, this growing sense of autonomy is sometimes called the “terrible twos.” This drive typically shows itself in the form of negativism, that is, the tendency to shout “No!” just for the sake of resisting authority."

I used to throw terrible tantrums when I was around three years old. I would throw myself on the ground in a store, park, bedroom, etc. and scream and hold my breath. My mom would not make a big deal about it, she would let me embarrass myself and she would also put back whatever toy or clothing item I had picked out.

Resolution: Shame/guilt

Reasoning: After the tantrum, I would realize it wasn't that serious and instead I got everything taken away and embarrassed from everyone watching me.

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This stage children begin developing a sense of purpose through taking initiative in activities or feeling guilty if they believe they made the wrong choices. In the book, they speak about how children have to learn to balance the two feelings, "This conflict marks a split between two parts of the personality: the part that remains a child, full of exuberance and a desire to test new powers, and the part that is becoming an adult, constantly examining the propriety of motives and actions"

I know that as a child, I almost never took initiative and always felt guilty for not asking to play or asking for really anything. It took awhile, but I slowly learned to ask others to play with me or allow me to play with them.

Resolution: Initiative and Guilt

Reasoning: It took many times of feeling guilty before I stepped up to take initiative.

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Within this stage, children focus on mastering knowledge and intellectual skills which, if successfully completed, lead to a sense of competence and belief in their abilities. However, if they are corrected or ridiculed too much, they will become less likely to continue learning. In our book they say, "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." They also say that, "Developing a sense of industry, by contrast, involves learning how to work hard to achieve goals"

Within this stage, kids are learning so much. For me, I remember learning to ride a bike and how I kept trying until I got it right because I was never told that I was doing anything wrong or bad. Instead, my parents helped me learn new ways to balance, turn, etc. while riding.

Resolution: Industry

Reasoning: I never felt afraid or not allowed to keep trying. I never got ridiculed while trying either.

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In this stage, adolescents search for a sense of self and personal identity, by an intense exploration of personal values, beliefs, and goals for themselves. The book mentions " the psychosocial moratorium, the time-out period that adolescence provides, allows young people to search for commitments to which they can be faithful." Which is saying that children within this age group are searching for who they are.

As a middle/high school student, I struggled finding my purpose and friend group. I never really fit in anywhere or with anyone. It took until my senior year, so about 18 years old, for me to find a group of friends I could fully identify with.

Resolution: Identity Confusion

Reasoning: I never knew where I belonged or if my friends were true. I never knew my purpose in life or what I wanted to do long term.

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Within this stage, a person either learns to develop close relationships and love or give themselves an emotional distance from others. Within the book, we are told that "Relationships with parents may affect the quality of romantic relationships" I personally do think this is very true

I met my boyfriend in eight grade, we have been together for nine years. I had an amazing relationship with my parents and they also had a great relationship with each other. My bother, however, didn't have issues with our parents but he lived with our grandparents his whole life. He is now in early 30s and struggles to find love, let alone maintain a long term relationship.

Resolution: Intimacy

Reasoning: I met my lover when I was young, and despite all odds we are still together nine years later.

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Generativity refers to making a positive impact and contributing to the world, such as through raising children, mentoring others, or engaging in meaningful work. Stagnation, on the other hand, represents feeling stuck and unproductive, lacking a sense of purpose.

I am not personally in this stage yet, nor will I be for 20 more years. However, my mother who is now 46 years old is. She has slowly learned how much she loves to be around children. She loved to raise us and she loves helping raise her grandkids.

Resolution: Generativity

Reasoning: My mother knows that she has a purpose in life so she doesn't feel stuck.

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In this stage, a person thinks of how much one embraces life as having been well lived, as opposed to regretting missed opportunities. Death is inevitable and everyone deals with it differently. From seeing the ones I know, some are miserable and mad that their time is coming because they didn't get to do everything they wanted or they say "no" too many times to invites. On the other hand, there are some that are fully okay and came to terms with it being their time because they lived a full life.

My great-grandmother, who passed from breast cancer, was one of the ones who were completely okay with it being her time. She would yell at us and get mad if we would cry about it, because she wasn't sad so we shouldn't be either. She said she felt very fulfilled with life. She had multiple kids, a good job, plenty of vacations, and multiple loves throughout her life.

Resolution: Integrity

Reasoning: My grandmother had little top no despair about her life. She was completely fulfilled and happy with how her life turned out.