Erik Eriksons theory had caught up my interest while studying psychology throughout

the semester, he developed one of the most influential theories of development, though his ideas
were influenced by Freuds work, but he focused on psychosocial more than the psychosexual
(cherry, 2015). According to Erikson, this theory involves a form of sense of gaining trust to
other people, becoming sufficient, developing the need for a sense of identity, and helping others
to work out on their future, contribute to the next generation from their own work, or some who
either see life as meaningful or showing all the loss of hope. (McLeod, 2008).
Eriksons psychosocial development has eight distinct stages.
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Trust vs. Mistrust (infancy), Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt (Early childhood), initiative
vs. guilt (play age), industry vs. inferiority (school age), identity vs. role confusion
(adolescence), Intimacy vs. Isolation (young adulthood), Generativity vs. stagnation
(adulthood), Integrity vs. Despair (maturity).

Trust vs. mistrust, refers to as the first stage of the psychosocial stage of the human development,
according to Erikson, it occurs between birth to 18 months of age and its the most important
stage. Its in the stage of development when children learn if they can or not trust those people
surrounding them, if their guardians or caregivers are capable of taking good care of them.
Because children or infants were depending on the quality can their caregivers give and it plays
an important role in molding ones personality. During this stage, children earn if they can trust
someone whos around them or not, if they cry, will someone pays attention to their needs? If
theyre hungry, will someone feed them? If they got hurt or frightened, will their guardians take
good care of them? If they constantly receiving all these needs from their guardians, they can
develop a trust from the people around them, knowing that they can be taken care of, but if these
needs werent consistently met, children will develop mistrust. If these children successfully

develops trust, he/she feels safe and secured, but if not, they will develop fear and think that they
can trust no one (cherry, 2015).
Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt, this occurs during the ages 1-3 years, according to Erikson at
this stage children are becoming self-sufficient in all kinds of things (Berger, 2010). Children, at
this stage also gained a sense of self control and independence. Theyre becoming more
independent and gaining control over the things they want and how they wanted to do it by
themselves, events like their choices of food, toys and clothing preferences, what are they going
wear, to watch, or to play. Sometimes they even want to do it by themselves, to feed themselves,
to put their clothes, and shoes on their own. If one successfully complete this stage, he/she feels
confident in everything he/she does but if not, they end up doubting their own abilities or skills
(cherry, 2015).
Initiative vs. Guilt, this stage occurs around ages 3-6, during this period children begin to assert
themselves and their abilities to try new things, through play and other social interaction
especially when theyre at school (McLeod, 2008). Theyre taking the initiative to make up some
games, activities, or accomplishing tasks and challenges (cherry, 2015). Whereas if these actions
gets either control or criticized, children develop a sense of guilt, they may start asking questions
to their caregivers, they may feel like they always cause a ruckus or being a nuisance to
everyone. Too much guilt for children may lead them to slow interaction with others, refrain
them from being creative, or outgoing.
Industry vs. Inferiority, this stage occurs between six to eleven years old. During this period a
child will develop a sense of competence each and every time he/she will complete a task or a
useful skill in a productive manner, however a child may develop a feeling of inferiority if he/she
fails to achieve a certain task that soon can lead to having a low self-esteem (Lancaster, 2012).

Identity vs. Confusion, this stage occurs when they reach the period of being an adolescent.
During this period, children may seek or explore some new things and seek for independence.
According to Erikson, this stage is the most important stage to build a strong and well-founded
identity, but as these teens made themselves to adulthood, they start to explore things such as
dressing differently, dying their hair, come up with new activities, roles, and behaviors. These
things may lead them to confusion or the feeling of being insecure and how are they going to fit
in the society (cherry, 2015).
Intimacy vs. Isolation, this stage occurs around ages 19-40. During this period of time we begin
to explore relationships, share ourselves intimately with others, seeking for a companion other
than our family member (McLeod, 2008). If one successfully get through this stage, he/she can
find a relationship comfortably and with a sense of commitment. Whereas, if one is avoiding
intimacy because of the fear of being rejected and disappointment can lead to isolating
themselves among the people around them.
Generativity vs. Stagnation, this occurs around ages 40-65. As we reached this age, we begin to
establish our work or own career, having a good relationship and being with our own family, and
developing a sense of making ourselves as a part of the society. We contribute to the next
generation through our dedication to our work, raising our children, and joining to some
organization. As we fail to do these things, we develop the feeling of becoming stagnant and
unproductive (McLeod, 2008).
Integrity vs. Despair, this period occurs during 65 through the end of life. During this period
adults reflect back if they live their lives successfully with/ without regrets or a sense of despair
over a life or goals that they never reached. Those who successfully got through this phase, they

will have the sense of integrity, however those who didnt they will be left with bitterness and a
sense of despair (cherry, 2015).

I remember the time that I could relate to one of the developmental stages, I think I was in
1st grade that time, I do really well in school and to other things, I always explore new things and
such than my brother so my parents relies on me all the time. They always expect higher grades
from me, but then one time I got a low but not that low score on my exam and its my first time
having a low score among all the exams Ive taken so far, then they start to criticized and control
all the things I do, theres this time I got embarrassed in front of my classmates when my
guardian scolded me in front of them. From that day I feel like I couldnt such things anymore, I
feel like Im useless or just a disturbance to the people around me, I started to lack confidence. I
think this is one of the reasons why Im having a hard time socializing with other people as well
as exploring new things.
I also have this fear of rejection thats why Id rather be alone than socializing with others,
I do have friends but its not because I approached them first, if someones going to approach me
thats the time Ill approach that person back. I have this fear of being rejected because I dont
want to get embarrassed in front of others. Especially when we moved here in the U.S, new
country, new life, new people, and new environment so that fear of mine worsened. I couldnt
even ask questions, directions, take orders and vice versa, etc. I always tell my mom to do it for
me or whoever I am with. I really had a hard time adjusting, Im always at home just doing my
own stuffs like I have my own world, if it wasnt for my mom and brother I wont go out of the
house, its like I locked myself out from the world, they keep pushing me to overcome it but its
not that easy for me, its frustrating. I always cling to my brother, I always ask him to do things

for me, I always depend on him because my moms working but then he had to go on a mission
and I was crying because hell be away from us especially from me, whom Im going to depend
on if hes gone. So as time passes by I keep on encouraging myself that I can do things which
others can do as well, because if I didnt who else is going to do it. I started to overcome this fear
little by little, step by step, and thats when I entered college.
Knowing that college life is tough, you have to deal with a lot of different people, but I
said to myself I can do this. At first, I dont talk to anyone, Im always alone and Id rather be
alone than making friends. But then I realized the difference between having company and not at
all, its really boring, lonely, and theres more to life than this. Its almost a year since I entered
Salt Lake Community College and I must say my social skills had improved, I made a lot of
friends, I smile a lot even though I dont know the person, I gained back the confidence that I lost
once and my friends were also a big help overcoming this fear of mine. Now I can questions if
Im curious with something without calling someone to do it for me, I can deal with other
people, talk in front of other people a bit, and participate in other activities.