Erikson Timeline - Jaylee by

Stage 1: Trust vs. Mistrust

pasbury4 — 2024-07-14 19:34:13 UTC

From birth to age 12-18 months, infants are learning the concept of trust and conclude who they trust most in their lives by the end of this stage. Jaylee ended this stage with trust; she anticipated that her mother, father, sister, and brother would be there to provide for her. She would be upset around others outside of those listed above. She portrayed behavior similar to an example in the text, “[Babies] sometimes cry or protest when a caregiver leaves, but they quickly obtain the comfort they need once the caregiver returns” (Martorell, 152).

Stage 2: Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt

pasbury4 — 2024-07-14 19:46:12 UTC

From 12-18 months to age 3, children learn to express what they want, learning to be more or less independent in caring for themselves based on the boundaries set by their caregivers. Jaylee was able to communicate her wants and desires throughout this stage, such as asking for more of something or declaring hunger using sign language, to being able to do so with words; she also understood when her wishes could not be granted. Jaylee was able to take care some things for herself on her own by the end of this stage, such as using the bathroom, cleaning up her messes, and brushing her teeth. These actions represent Jaylee's end result of this stage, autonomy, showing “self-regulation: control of [her] behavior even when the caregiver is not present” (Martorell, 158).

Stage 3: Initiative vs. Guilt

pasbury4 — 2024-07-14 19:58:51 UTC

From ages 3-6, children learn to try new things independently. By the end of this stage, they can be comfortable taking the initiative to participate in new activities, unless otherwise feeling guilty for doing so. Preschoolers “can do – and want to – do more and more. At the same time, they are learning that some things they want to do meet social approval, whereas others do not” (Martorell, 210). Jaylee achieved autonomy by the end of this stage; she learned a basic understanding of right and wrong through the regulation of her actions. For example, she became more physical in this stage, sometimes biting, hitting, or throwing objects at a family member or playmate she did not get along with. After cycles of appropriate reprimanding of her actions, these behaviors became far less frequent, and she took more acceptable, independent actions to resolve conflict.

Stage 4: Industry vs. Inferiority

pasbury4 — 2024-07-14 20:03:09 UTC

From ages 6-12, children equip themselves with skills that allow them to find their place in life, unless otherwise not receiving the necessary tools to do so. Jaylee was left feeling inferior by the end of this stage. According to the text, “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” (Martorell, 276). In Jaylee’s case, after officially confirming her suspicions that she was adopted at birth, she felt out of place in the family; she struggled relating with friends from school about previous childhood experiences, and her peers often criticized her for being adopted.

Stage 5: Identity vs. Identity Confusion

pasbury4 — 2024-07-14 20:10:42 UTC

From ages 12-18, adolescents learn who are they are and what they want to be associated with. In the end, they are able to define themselves or are left questioning their self definition. Jaylee is currently in this stage of development; figuring out her “adoption of values to live by” (Martorell, 336). At age 13, Jaylee tried to resolve matters by fighting, lying, and being defiant to authority, which eventually led to her placement on probation. However, she is changing the values she bases her life on, and I believe that this stage will end in her finding identity.

Stage 6: Intimacy vs. Isolation

pasbury4 — 2024-07-14 20:15:01 UTC

From ages 18-40, young adults try to figure out people they want to commit themselves to intimately, or if they wish to remain independent for future endeavors. Jaylee has not yet entered this stage of development. In this stage a “person seeks to make commitments to others or may suffer from isolation and self-absorption” (Martorell, 12). Jaylee is already finding interest in making commitments to others and developing more adult relationships; therefore, I believe this stage will end in intimacy.

Stage 7: Generativity vs. Stagnation

pasbury4 — 2024-07-14 20:18:12 UTC

From ages 40-65, adults establish themselves as those willing to assist younger generations with their development or not. In this stage, a “mature adult is concerned with establishing and guiding the next generation or else feels personal impoverishment” (Martorell, 12). Jaylee has already expressed an interest in having children one day and having a successful career. She is feels accomplishment when helping others, so I think this stage will end in generativity.

Stage 8: Integrity vs. Despair

pasbury4 — 2024-07-14 20:22:00 UTC

From age 65 and older, elderly adults reflect on their past experiences to determine whether or not they have gotten what they desired from life. In this stage, an “elderly person achieves acceptance of own life, allowing acceptance of death, or else despairs over inability to relive life” (Martorell, 12). Given where Jaylee wants to be as an adult, giving guidance and having success, I believe this stage will end in integrity.