Erikson's Stages of Development Timeline by Alexandria Asher

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

aasher37 — 2024-02-26 00:20:24 UTC

During this stage, infants are in need of good caretakers. They need their needs met such as being fed, being clothed, taken care of emotionally, getting love and affection. All of these needs being met would develop trust but if they're not then the infant will develop mistrust. "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, 2023, p.13). I was well taken care of and all of my needs were met at this age.

2. Early Childhood (1-3 years): Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt

aasher37 — 2024-02-26 00:20:24 UTC

During this stage, toddlers are learning so much through what they're seeing and if they're being encouraged for the things that they're accomplishing. If they're being encouraged by the people around them they'll develop autonomy but if they're feelings are put to the side and their success isn't being acknowledged, then they'll start to develop shame and doubt. Once they develop shame and doubt, they won't be as open to trying to learn and do new things because they'll doubt themselves. "Reinforcement and punishment can be positive, involving “adding” a stimulus to the environment, or negative, involving the “subtraction” or removal of a stimulus from the environment" (Martorell, 2023, p.15). I was encouraged and my parents have shown that they're proud of me for my accomplishments.

3. Preschool (3-6 years): Initiative vs. Guilt

aasher37 — 2024-02-26 00:20:24 UTC

During this stage, preschoolers are encouraged to be more independent in a positive way. They still need support from the people around them and to be taken care of but this is the age that they start doing things on their own such as potty training, getting dressed, cleaning up their toys, etc. Allowing this independence will create initiative. If they try doing things on their own but not getting that correct response then they'll start to develop guilt. "Self-conscious emotions, such as embarrassment, envy, and shame, arise only after children have developed self-awareness at about age 3" (Martorell, 2023, p.146). I was encouraged to be independent at this age so that I knew how to do these things on my own.

4. School Age (6-11 years): Industry vs. Inferiority

aasher37 — 2024-02-26 00:20:24 UTC

During this stage, children need a lot of positive feedback and encouragement. Kids will likely keep on the same path of doing well if the people around them notice the good things that they're doing. On the other hand, if their accomplishments aren't being recognized then that could lead to inferiority and they give up. "One reason for this positive bias is that self-esteem is, in part, the result of feedback received from others, and adults tend to give positive feedback" (Martorell, 2023, p.208). I always had positive feedback from my accomplishments and was encouraged to keep going.

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

aasher37 — 2024-02-26 00:20:24 UTC

During this stage, people at this age are trying to figure out who they are and who they want to be. Some people will figure out who they are at this age and some people will develop role confusion where they're not there yet where they don't know their identity. "the choice of an occupation, the adoption of values to live by, and the development of a satisfying sexual identity" (Martorell, 2023, p.336). I had role confusion because I didn't know who I was or who I wanted to be.

6. Young Adulthood (19-40 years): Intimacy vs. Isolation

aasher37 — 2024-02-26 00:20:24 UTC

During this stage, young adults are feeling a lot of emotions, specifically intimacy or isolation. Some young adults will have no problem being able to be intimate with partners and some will feel more isolated because they don't know how to be intimate or they're just not ready for it. "parental anxiety and depression, and social isolation" (Martorell, 2023, p.110). I feel isolation because I don't like to be intimate. I have commitment issues when it comes to relationships as well as trust issues.

7. Middle Adulthood (40-65 years): Generativity vs. Stagnation

aasher37 — 2024-02-26 00:20:25 UTC

During this stage, adults will have families or have already decided what their life has held. They've had their career, had relationships, could have gotten married, and have children. On the other hand, if the adult hasn't lived a fulfilled life and is happy with where they're at then they'll start to feel stagnant. "Factors that contribute to homelessness include lack of employment opportunities, stagnation in working class wages, declines in public assistance funds, lack of affordable health care, domestic violence, mental illness, and addiction" (Martorell, 2023, p.179). I hope in the future that I have a family and a good career so that I'm content with my life.

8. Late Adulthood (65 years and older): Integrity vs. Despair

aasher37 — 2024-02-26 00:20:25 UTC

During this stage, adults will be able to look back on their life and decide if they were fulfilled with what occurred or if they have any regrets. If they've developed integrity then they're happy with what happened in their life but if they developed despair then they have regrets from their life that they wish they could change. "At any point in the life span, development could shift in a positive direction, and a crisis might be successfully resolved and a new strength developed" (Martorell, 2023, p.13). I hope that I can feel integrity and look back on my life and have no regrets. I want to be happy with what I accomplished and the people I chose to surround myself with.