Erikson's Psychosocial Development Timeline by

Stage 1: Trust vs. Mistrust (0-1 years)

scartagena2_1 — 2024-02-25 16:52:06 UTC

During this stage, babies learn to either trust or mistrust their environment based on the level of care given by their caregivers. If the child's needs are met then they learn to trust, if their needs are not met they learn to mistrust the wrong people. "People need to trust the world and the people in it, but they also need to learn some mistrust to protect themselves from danger." (Martorell, G. (2022). Child. McGraw-Hill Higher Education. p. 13.) My resolution was trust because all of my needs were met during this stage of life. I never had to worry about going hungry or not getting the attention I needed as an infant, so I never learned to mistrust my parents.

Stage 2: Autonomy vs. Shame & Doubt (1-3 years)

scartagena2_1 — 2024-02-25 16:52:07 UTC

During this stage of development, toddlers begin to make their own decisions. They decide what their opinions on things like food, colors, and activities during this stage. A toddler who is encouraged to explore their options will develop a good sense of autonomy, a toddler who is discouraged will develop a sense of shame and doubt when making their decisions. "In toddlerhood, the critical theme is autonomy, or a sense of agency and independence." (Martorell, G. (2022). Child. McGraw-Hill Higher Education. p. 13.). My resolution was autonomy because my parents allowed me to make my own choices and helped me gain confidence. I was not shamed for making my own decisions and was encouraged to continue to form my own opinions on the world around me.

Stage 3: Initiative vs. Guilt (3-5 years)

scartagena2_1 — 2024-02-25 16:52:07 UTC

"Erikson’s third stage in psychosocial development, in which children balance the urge to pursue goals with reservations about doing so." (Martorell, G. (2022). Child. McGraw-Hill Higher Education. pg. 206). During this stage of development start to initiate activities and start to control the world around them through explorative play. Children who are given the freedom to explore and the encouragement needed to explore the world around them, they will develop a good sense of initiative. If they are discouraged and made to feel like their choices are incorrect, they will develop a sense of guilt. My resolution was initiative because I was encouraged to discover and learn things about the world on my own. I was not shamed or made to feel that my choices were wrong so I developed a good sense of initiative.

Stage 4: Industry vs. Inferiority (5-12 years)

scartagena2_1 — 2024-02-25 16:52:07 UTC

During this stage of development, children begin to focus more on the outside world. They care more about things like school and friends. They start to compare their abilities to their peers and develop a sense of industry or inferiority based on how they compare. A child who is doing academically well will develop a sense of industry, a child who is behind the other children will develop a sense in inferiority. "According to Erikson (1998), a major determinant of self-esteem is children’s view of their capacity for productive work, which develops in his fourth stage of psychosocial development." (Martorell, G. (2022). Child. McGraw-Hill Higher Education. pg. 275). My resolution was industry because I did really well in school and I was encouraged to keep going. I fit in well with the other children and did not have to compare myself to them because I was confident with my abilities.

Stage 5: Identity vs. Role Confusion (12-18 years)

scartagena2_1 — 2024-02-25 16:52:08 UTC

"The chief task of adolescence, said Erikson (1968), is to confront the crisis of identity versus identity confusion in order to become a unique adult with a coherent sense of self and a valued role in society." (Martorell, G. (2022). Child. McGraw-Hill Higher Education. pg. 336.) During this stage of development, kids try to develop a sense of identity and try to figure out where they fit into the world. A supportive environment encourages children to explore different roles without fear, leading to a strong sense of identity. A non supportive environment will lead to role confusion. My resolution was role confusion. My parents were supportive about most things but when it came to exploring my own identity, they were a lot less supportive about my decisions, along with some of my peers. I didn't know what I wanted to with my life and it took a long time to figure it out.

Stage 6: Intimacy vs. Isolation (young adulthood) (18-40 years)

scartagena2_1 — 2024-02-25 16:52:08 UTC

During this stage of development young adults begin to form meaningful connections with deep intimacy and lifelong relationships. Successful relationships lead to a sense of intimacy, unsuccessful relationships can lead to a sense of isolation and feelings of loneliness. "The capacity for intimacy is related to psychological adjustment and social competence." (Martorell, G. (2022). Child. McGraw-Hill Higher Education. pg. 351). I am still in this stage, but I believe my resolution is intimacy. I have plenty of deep relationships and I hope to create more meaningful friendships.

Stage 7: Generativity vs. Stagnation (middle adulthood) (40-65 years)

scartagena2_1 — 2024-02-25 16:52:08 UTC

In this stage of development, adults attempt to contribute to society through their work and raising a family. Succeeding in this feeling of contribution will lead to generativity and being unsuccessful in this feeling of contribution will lead to stagnation. "...an adolescent seeks to develop a coherent sense of self, including the role she or he is to play in society." (Martorell, G. (2022). Child. McGraw-Hill Higher Education. pg. 336). This quote is in reference to adolescents but still works for adults too. I am not yet in this stage, but I believe my resolution will be generativity. I will do the best I can do influence the next generation and hope they will be better than we were.

Stage 8: Integrity vs. Despair (later life)

scartagena2_1 — 2024-02-25 16:52:09 UTC

In the final stage of development, people tend to look back on their lives and their achievements. A life filled with happiness and meaningfulness will lead to a feeling of integrity, a life of regrets and fear will lead to a feeling despair. Knowing me, my resolution will be despair. Death is the scariest thing about life and I know I’ll be scared. But hopefully I will be able to look back on my life and see that it wasn't filled with regrets.