My Erikson Development Timeline by Kendall Nickerson

Stage 1: Trust Vs. Mistrust

kendallanickerson — 2022-12-11 22:49:32 UTC

Stage one is about Trust Vs. Mistrust. This stage is through birth to about 18 months of age. During this stage babies learn the value of trust and mistrust. They learn to trust and mistrust the environment around them. They will cry when they do not feel safe and seek those who make them feel safe and secure. These people are usually parents, grandparents or siblings. In the book ,Child, "developing trust is sensitive, responsive, consistent caregiving." (Martorell, Child 2023) As an example, when a new person holds a baby, the baby usually will start to cry or get away, they seek the person who they know and trust. As another example, me and my older sister have always been polar opposites. One day when I was between the birth to 18 months of age my mom stepped outside for a moment. My sister grabbed an attachment from the vacuum and hit me so I would stop crying. This caused me to be mistrustful near her. Now we are much closer than we were when we were younger.

Stage 3: Initiative Vs. Guilt

kendallanickerson — 2022-12-11 22:53:22 UTC

Stage three is about Initiative Vs. Guilt. This stage is through 3 to 5 years of age. This stage is about young children learning the world around them more. They usually have play dates and are more social. Soon they begin preschool where they find what they like to do, mostly around peer association. They also have the guilt of being caught doing something they were not supposed to do. This is because they want to do new things that they have never done before, trying to become the adults around them. Like in the book, Child, "Preschoolers can do-and want to do- more and more." (Martorell, Child 2023) During this stage, I was always outside making messes, playing in mud and exploring. My mom always told me, "If I make a mess clean it up." I have always loved this saying, it might not mean much but I was a very messy child. I learned initiative, because my mom always gave me the freedom to do new things as long as no one got hurt.

Stage 4: Industry Vs. Inferiority

kendallanickerson — 2022-12-11 22:54:29 UTC

Stage four is about Industry Vs. Inferiority. This stage occurs through the ages 5 through 12. During this stage children go through a lot of changes. They become more social with classmates and some do not. Those who are praised and accepted by their peers and family develop industry. Those who are not praised as much by peers usually end up developing inferiority. This is because the more praise a child reseves the more self-confident they are. They have a higher self-esteem. The book gives an example how this can affect young children. The book says "If children become too industrious, they may neglect social relationships and turn into workaholics." (Martorell, Child 2023) This is not a bad thing. Industry people may become too social and have a hard time being alone. As another example, I was never accepted into the cool group. I always hung out with the "weird" people and that was fine with me. Though I am a shy person, a workaholic, and do neglect relationships, I feel accomplished. I finished this stage with inferiority but I am okay with that.

Stage 5: Identity Vs. Role Confusion

kendallanickerson — 2022-12-11 22:55:15 UTC

Stage five is about identity Vs. role confusion. This happens around the ages 12 through 18. During this stage young children start to become adults. They also start to figure out who they want to be in the future. What they want in a partner or in friendships. This stage is the base of adulthood. Young adults sometimes have no idea who they want to be or become, this is where role confusion comes into play. Others have a set idea and are constantly trying to seek it. During this stage life can be very confusing. It is everything parents do that we have gone unnoticed until now. In the book, they describe this stage as a "healthy process that builds on the achievements of earlier stages-on trust, autonomy, initiative, and industry- and lays the ground work for coping with challenges of adult life." (Martorell, Child 2023) This means that this stage is the base for adult hood, all the earlier stages collide and help for this next step. As an example, during this age I was a tom-girl, girly-girl, and everything in between. I also was very rebellious. I dated a guy who abused me mentally and physically. It ruined the relationship with friends and family. It ruined me, I almost did not graduate high school. My counselor told me to get me "Sh*t" together and so I picked myself up and I did. I graduated, I completed this huge project that was the only way to graduate. When I presented to my judges, that is when I realized, if I can do that, I can do anything.

Stage 6: Intimacy Vs. Isolation

kendallanickerson — 2022-12-11 22:55:52 UTC

Stage six is about intimacy Vs. isolation. This stage occurs through the ages 18 to 40. During this stage young adults become adults. Most end up with a family, sufficient career, there own house and many other things. Others who are afraid of commitment can lead to isolation and loneliness. I do not have an example but I am working towards a career I love. I am also working to put more money into my savings. I want my own children in the next 5-10 years. I have a loving boyfriend but I always have a doubt that nothing lasts forever. I believe I will develop intimacy.

Stage 7: Generative Vs. Stagnation

kendallanickerson — 2022-12-11 22:57:43 UTC

Stage seven is about generative Vs. stagnation. This stage occurs during the ages 40 through 65. During this stage older adults become more involved in the community and most have grandchildren. Those who seek this route tend to develop generative. Others who doubt their accomplishments and are more pushed from society become more stagnation. I have no examples, but I love to be involved in the community now. I hope to have children and then grandchildren. I love the career I am choosing and I have a plan for the future. So, I believe that I will become more generative.

Stage 8: Ego Integrity Vs. Despair

kendallanickerson — 2022-12-11 23:00:09 UTC

The last stage, stage eight, is about integrity Vs. despair. This stage occurs during the ages 65 and up. During this stage older adults look back on the past. They either dwell in the despair of not doing enough, or they feel accomplished with the life they lived. I do not have an example, but during this stage I hope to have fulfilled the life I lived. I have a 25% chance of developing dementia when I am around this age. I hope to set a plan for my children and have enough money to pay for sufficient living conditions.

Work Cited:

kendallanickerson — 2022-12-12 03:50:18 UTC

Martorell, G. (2023). Child. McGraw Hill Education.

Stage 2: Autonomy Vs. Shame

kendallanickerson — 2024-03-24 18:44:48 UTC

Stage two is about Autonomy Vs. Shame. This stage is through 18 months of age to about 3 years of age. This stage is when young children begin to explore and become more dependent. They like to do their own things, put on their own clothes and pick their own toys. They also have a sense of shame. This is when they get into trouble for things that parents do not agree with. For example, if a child has been taught to look both ways before crossing a street and they do not do so. The parents are usually really upset and the child feels shamed for doing something he should not have. This is because " feeling ashamed after being caught doing something others think is bad, that might keep you from doing it again." (Martorell, Child 2023) During this age I was exploring all the time. I was always outside playing in the mud and getting mud everywhere. My mom always told me "if you do something clean it up." I love that saying. Although she sometimes scared me, she gave me freedom to make mistakes, as long as no body got hurt.