Stage 1: Trust vs. Mistrust 

As noted and written in Erikson’s theory of psychological development, the first stage occurred between the date I was born and when I was born. Sincerely, I assume this was the most fundamental stage in the whole of my life. This is because, as an infant, I was utterly dependent on my parents, especially my mother. According to Erickson, an infant develops trust according to their mothers or caregivers’ quality of care (Orenstein & Lewis, 2020). During these times, my development depended on my parents, especially my mother, who gave me food, clothing, warmth, safety, and nurturing.

I believe I efficaciously developed trust in my parents though I cannot remember anything during those times. I was at peace and happy with my parents. Perhaps my current state testifies that my parents enabled me to develop trust and a feeling of safety in their arms. A good number of caregivers, who become inconsistent with their caregiving and become emotionally unavailable, lead to a feeling of mistrust in infants (Dimitrova et al., 2019). On the contrary, good parents who offer love and affection to infants trust them in this psychological development stage. When parents, especially mothers, provide reliable care and affection, no infant will develop a sense of mistrust of them (Dunkel & Harbke, 2017). Trust forms a fundamental role in forming a healthy relationship between infants and their mothers or caregivers. Infants gain hope when trust is available hence forming meaningful bonds with their parents.

Stage 2: Shame and Doubt vs. Autonomy 

Erikson’s theory of psychological development suggests that after the age of one, children’s development occurs in personal control (Dimitrova et al., 2019). At this point in development, I was beginning to have some little independence. As every normal kid does, I started to do basic actions autonomously. Making simple decisions like preference and movement becomes my obligation. Actually, this is the stage I learned moving out and released shit by using a potty. Considerably, I gained personal control over physical skills that enabled me to obtain a sense of autonomy. Erikson’s theory suggests that potty training is an essential part of a child’s development. 

Nevertheless, he believed more in other events, such as better control in food choices, type of clothing, and toy preferences. 

It has been noted that children who are ashamed of most of their actions at this stage may have no sense of personal control (Dimitrova et al., 2019). Successful psychological development at this stage is signified by feelings of autonomy or rather a sense of autonomy. Feelings of doubt and shame signify failure in psychological development at this stage. Personally, my psychological development at this stage become successful considering the courage I used to have. I managed to balance independence and shame or doubt that enabled me to perform my actions with strong willpower. Children at this stage are supposed to feel secure and confident. A sense of self-doubt in children is very unhealthy for children at this stage, and they could efficiently act out of willpower or intention.

Stage 3: Initiative vs. Guilt

This stage took place during the pre-school years. I can only have some memories of this stage, and it marks the beginning of memories my mind can remember. At this stage, I played and had several social interactions (Dimitrova et al., 2019). At this stage, psychological development in children is successful only if they can lead other children of about the same age. Children who fail to develop at this stage well find themselves having self-guilt and lacking initiative. 

Further, the main achievement in a child’s psychological development is having the guts of beginning to asserting control of their environment. At this stage, I had a sense of purpose that indicated a perfect psychological development. While exerting power and controlling the environment is considered a sign of excellent psychological development, children who are fond of exerting excess power are prone to experience rejection and disapproval that result in some sense of guilt (Dimitrova et al., 2019). This is not healthy for children. At this stage, I managed to control power but never become a bully who sometimes experienced disapproval.

Stage 4 Inferiority vs. Industry

During the beginning of school years, the psychological development stage occurs between age five to eleven (Darling-Fisher, 2019). At this stage, children can get proud of their endeavors and capabilities. This sense of pride is developed majorly through social interactions. Here, children strive to meet academic and social demands so that success would imply competence, and failure might lead to feelings of inferiority.

Parents and teachers are advised to commend their children at this stage for them to develop a sense of pride in themselves. Children who are commended and encouraged have been observed to develop faster and better. On the other hand, children who receive no encouragement doubt their abilities to perform as their peers.

Stage 5: Identity vs. Confusion

During my teenage years, I developed my sense of personal identity that has continuously influenced my behavior to date. Successful development will enable teenagers to stick to their identities, while unsuccessful psychological developments at this stage shall result in role confusion and a weak sense of self-identity (Darling-Fisher, 2019). At this stage, I managed to explore my sense of independence and developed my identity appropriately. My beliefs, values, and ideals were explicit in my thoughts, and I was ready to defend my morals to a great extent. I successfully managed to have the ability to live by the moral standards and expectations set by society. Personal identity is usually an incorporated and cohesive sense of self that forms part of our behavior and character (Dunkel & Harbke, 2017). Even though I managed to find an identity, it proved to be the most challenging task during my teenage.

Present Self

Stage 6: Isolation vs. Intimacy

Naturally, young adults need to have healthy intimate relationships. Successful psychological development depends on strong relationships, while failure leads to isolation and loneliness (Dunkel & Harbke, 2017). Erikson’s theory suggested that it is essential for young people to develop close and committed relationships (Dunkel & Harbke, 2017). I have successfully achieved this and hope the relationships will endure and get secured. Although I have successfully achieved a perfect relationship with my peers, I still struggle to find a life partner. Although at times I feel confused, at least in the long run, I get happy and satisfied. Currently, I like family gatherings and religious activities and looking forward.

Future Self

Stage 7: Generativity vs. Stagnation

Adults need to nurture things that will live to outlast them. This is done through siring children or creating positive impacts that benefit other people. Successful adulthood psychological development results in feelings of accomplishment (Dunkel & Harbke, 2017). Care is a virtue achieved when adulthood is handled successfully. Watching kids grow and having a sense of unity with a life partner is an essential accomplishment of this stage. At this stage, I would love to have a great family with beautiful kids. 

Stage 8: Integrity vs. Despair

The final stage of psychological development occurs in old age and is majorly involved with reflecting on the earlier life lived (Dimitrova et al., 2019). A sense of fulfillment during reflection is a sign of successful psychological development, while failure leads to bitterness, regret, and despair. At this stage, I would love to be happy and forget the evils I did in the happy.

References

Darling-Fisher, C. S. (2019). Application of the modified Erikson psychosocial stage inventory: 25 years in review. Western journal of nursing research, 41(3), 431-458.

Dimitrova, R., Hatano, K., Sugimura, K., & Ferrer-Wreder, L. (2019). The Erikson Psychosocial Stage Inventory in adolescent samples: Factorial validity and equivalence of identity as measured from the United States and Japan. European Journal of Psychological Assessment, 35(5), 680.

Dunkel, C. S., & Harbke, C. (2017). A review of measures of Erikson’s stages of psychosocial development: Evidence for a general factor. Journal of Adult Development, 24(1), 58-76.

Orenstein, G. A., & Lewis, L. (2020). Erikson’s stages of psychosocial development. StatPearls [Internet].