Assessment
Project : Make a comparative analysis describing the Erik Erikson’s 8 Psychosocial Stages of
Development.
Stage 1: Infancy
Trust vs. Mistrust
Description: Description:
Since this development starts from birth Since babies are independent with the
to 18 months old of the baby they are more people who must be take care of them when
independent with their care givers. The those people failed to meet the basic needs or
primary way you can build trust with your attention of the babies they develop the feeling
baby is to respond when they try to of mistrusts. For example, since crying is one
communicate with you, since they cannot use of the way of children communicate with their
words to express their selves and tell what they caregivers/parents and they failed to give what
need that’s why caregivers should be familiar the baby needs, they will think as they grow up
with how they express their selves through that people should not be trusted because they
nonverbal strategies. For example, when they failed to provide what they need when they
cry it means they need anything , there is were little. Mistrust can cause children to
something wrong or they feel something become fearful, confused, and anxious, all of
unusual so caregivers should give what they which make it difficult to form healthy
need which is attention, food or care. Through relationships. This, in turn, can lead to
this, there is a relationship that is built to the poor social support, isolation, and loneliness.
children and the person that care to them will
develop trust with others that will be seen
throughout their lives.
Stage 2: Early Childhood
Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt
Description: Description:
Autonomy is the right or state of self- On the other hand of the autonomy,
governing. Kids at their age of 2 to 3 years old shame and doubt will develop if those kids
are curious about everything so they really struggle and they will be shamed for their
want to do anything they really want. For accidents which may cause to be left without a
example, if they are starting to perform basic sense of personal control. For example, if they
actions let them do it on their own, caregivers done things which they do not like and
will see that the kids are making simple someone only dictate what they must like and
decisions about what they prefer and if they do they will lack of sense of control because
make a mistake they will eventually learn and they will not learn on what they do.
develop a greater sense of personal control. Furthermore, if they depend on someone to
Through this, they make choices and gain control their life they will eventually doubt
control which they develop a sense of their self and they will not learn and may not
autonomy. experience since just like what they say
experience is the best teacher.
Stage 3: Preschool
Initiative vs. Guilt
Description: Description:
As the kid grows they begin to plan Contrary to the initiative is guilt. It
activities, make up games, and initiate happens when there is either a criticism or
activities with others. If given this control. The children would think that it is a
opportunity, children develop a sense of punishment and it restricts them to initiate that
initiative and feel secure in their ability to much. Conversely to the example on the
lead others and make decisions. For example initiative side that when the child wants to do
when the child is doing something let them be something and he feels too much power
because through this children will have the experience disapproval they will develop a sense
opportunity to explore their interpersonal of guilt that will hesitate them to initiate with
skills through initiating activities. others. This sense of guilt is very bad since they
can bring it as they grow up. Furthermore, they
need to initiate with other people to improve
their social life which is also essential to the
improvement of one self.
Stage 4: School Age
Industry vs. Inferiority
Description: Description:
After the 3 stages children began to Inferiority means the feeling of
learn and curious about many things, also at incompleteness. Smallness, weakness that we,
this stage they began to go to school and have people experienced at age of 6 to 11 years old.
many social interactions with other people. To If the child cannot develop the specific skill
visualize it more, think of a child who finds they feel society is demanding then they may
math lessons difficult to learn and understand. develop a sense of Inferiority. For example in a
However, s/he has support system such as school if a child struggle in a certain subject
his/her parents who is willing to teach her/him and he has no one to seek help either with his
at night and a teacher who s/he can ask about parents or teacher, s/he will feel bad about the
their topic. Then, she starts to receive results of struggling on that subject such as
encouragement and help from them to move poor grades. S/he will feel flabbergasted and
forward and later be praised for his/her efforts. not knowing what to do with the situation.
Therefore, since the kid received the support Eventually, that child will give up and will
and encouragement s/he needs to overcome his make the situation worst. Therefore, s/he lacks
difficulties s/he will most likely to develop the with the encouragement will results to feel
sense of industry because they are encouraged inferior and doubting his/her own abilities and
and reinforced to initiate more that will make therefore may not be reach his/her potential.
them feel industrious and confident that will
help them achieve more their goals in life.
Stage 5: Adolescence
Identity vs. Role Confusion
Description: Description:
As a child grows up and be an Contrary to the identity when kids who are
adolescent they began to feel confused and not allowed to explore and test out different
insecure about themselves and how they fit identities might be left with what Erikson
into the society they live in. According to referred to as role confusion. For example if a
Erikson, this is important to the process of child undergo with adolescence age he/she
forming a strong identity and developing a explore possibilities and begin to form their
sense of direction in life. He also defines the own identity based upon the outcome of their
identity as a fundamental organizing principal explorations. Failure to establish a sense of
which develops constantly throughout the identity within society can result to Being
lifespan. For example a child feel unsure of who you are and where you fit
uncomfortable about their body because of Drifting from one job or relationship to another
there are a lot of changes they will undergo but feeling disappointed and confused about your
it will just be for a while and they will place in life which in conclusion role
eventually grow and adapt to these changes. As confusion. Also, if in family or a group that a
we develop our identity as we grow up and it child is pressured to have a certain identity it
will involves one’s experiences, relationships, can result in rebellion in the form of
beliefs, values, and memories that make up a establishing a negative identity, and in addition
person's subjective sense of self. to this feeling of unhappiness. In result
Stage 6: Young Adulthood
Intimacy vs. Isolation
Description: Description:
At the age of 19 to 40 years old we There are things that do not go
began to share ourselves with other others. smoothly because not all people have good
Intimacy is believed by Erikson to be vital to relationship with other people. Some people at
develop close, committed relationships with this stage experience rejection or other
other people. For example, when the person are responses that cause you to withdraw. It might
now involved to relationships and exploring it harm your confidence and self-esteem, making
would lead to longer term commitments with you warier of putting yourself out there again
someone other than a family member. It in the future. For example, one person really
includes romantic partners, but it can also want to have good relationship with other
encompass close, enduring friendships with people but there are barriers such as physical
people outside of your family. People who appearance that would be the reason why
navigate this period of life successfully are people rejects the person who want to have
able to forge fulfilling relationships with other relationship with them. Also, maybe the person
people. This plays an important role in creating has personal issues that causes them to
supportive social networks that are important withdraw and increase the risk of being
for both physical and mental health throughout isolated with people such as Childhood
life. experiences including neglect or abuse, divorce
or death of a partner, fear of commitment ,fear
of intimacy, inability to open up, past
relationships and troubles with self-disclosure.
Stage 7: Middle Adulthood
Generativity vs. Stagnation
Description: Description:
Generativity refers to making a mark on On the other hand, stagnation refers to
the world by caring for others, creating and the failure to have generativity on one’s self.
accomplishing things that make the world a For example, there might be a failure too on
better place. For example, at this stage people the other stages of development and there are
have now many experiences in which they can reasons behind it why stagnation is evident and
use to mentor others to do the right way and to they fail to find a way to contribute, By failing
keep track. Also, there are now contributing to to find a way to contribute, we become
the next generation since they have now the stagnant and feel unproductive. These people
knowledge that they can use to do the things may feel disconnected or uninvolved with their
that can help the future generations, such as community and with society as a whole .
programs and inventions that is helpful for
them. In conclusion, these sorts of things are
frequently realized through having and raising
children. Those who are successful during this
phase will feel that they are contributing to the
world by being active in their home and
community.
Stage 8: Maturity
Integrity vs. Despair
Description: Description:
This is a final stage of development. This also happens on the last stage of
Success at this stage leads to feelings of development. Despair means the complete loss
wisdom. For example, when a person reflects or absence of hope. Therefore, to visualize
back on the events of their lives and takes despair on this development, those who look
stock. Those who look back on a life they feel back and only feel regret will instead feel
was well-lived will feel satisfied and ready to fearful that their lives will end without
face the end of their lives with a sense of accomplishing the things they feel they should
peace. have. People who reflect on their life and
regret not achieving their goals will experience
feelings of bitterness and despair.
