Running head: ERIKSON SELF-STUDY 1

Erikson Self- Study

Lindsay Manes
Ivy Tech Community College

ERIKSON SELF-STUDY 2

Introduction
In this self-study inspired by Erick Erikson. I will be discussing each stage that Eriksons
theory states we go through in life.
Comment [j1]: This must be an actual
introduction of Erikson himself, his theory, and
this paper.
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Stage 1- Trust vs Mistrust
Erikson defined this stage from infancy to 18 months. Within the first years of life, we
look to our parents or caregivers for nutrition, comfort and safety. According to McLeod (2008),
If the care the infant receives is consistent, predictable and reliable they will develop a sense of
trust which will carry with them to other relationships, and they will be able to feel secure even
when threatened. McLeod (2008) also stated, Success in this stage will lead to the virtue of
hope. By developing a sense of trust, the infant can have hope that as new crises arise, there is a
real possibility that other people will be there are a source of support. Failing to acquire the
virtue of hope will lead to the development of fear. Later in life the child would mistrust,
andThe outcomes of this stage, either trust or mistrust, carry that in tointo relationships we have
as an adults.
In this stage, not many people remember details about their life. I have seen plenty of
home movies, pictures, and have heard stories to know that I was successful in this stage. The
day I came home from the hospital, I had my older sister, my father, and several grandparents
there to greet me. One set of my grandparents lived right down the road and was in my life
almost daily. One event I do remember, my grandfather had a snowmobile. This was when I was
close to one year of age. He did not have it for very long before he sold it. I was sitting on the
back of our couch looking out the window. , when I seen saw him fly by and kept yelling,
papawPapaw! When I asked my mother about it years later, she could not believe that I
remembered it. At night, I remember going to bed in the same room as my sister, ; my mom
would tuck us in and sing us a song every night. I remember in the mornings that my sister
would throw toys in my bed. The consistency that I received in this stage, is what made it
successful.
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Comment [j2]: Delete any blank pages in
your document
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Stage 2 - Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt
Erikson defined stage two as being from 18 months to three years of age. In this stage, a
child is learning independence, becoming mobile, and potty training. According to McLeod
(2008), The child is discovering that he or she has many skills and abilities, such as putting on
clothes and shoes, playing with toys etc. Such skills illustrate the child's growing sense of
independence and autonomy. Erikson states it is critical that parents allow their children to
explore the limits of their abilities within an encouraging environment which is tolerant of
failure. Failure can help teach the child new problem solving skills. As a parent, you want to be
there to help your child in any way. However, if you do everything for your child than they will
never get thelearn problem solving skills, gain self-esteem, or develop independence to survive
in the world. You must create a balance where you can help give your child a since of
independence and not overly criticize them. When the child becomes overly criticized they
experience feelings of shame and doubt, and can get a since of self-doubt, and low self-esteem. ,
becoming They can become overly dependent on others and this could carry on into adult
relationships.
My mother told me that I was walked walking at eight months, climbing at ten months,
and was running by the time I was a year old. I was advanced when it came to physical
movement. We had a swimming pool in our back yard, and I remember my grandmother
encouraging me to swim to her. I had arm floats on, but I could still swim to her using my feet.
She always encouraged me to do anything and everything. When it came to getting dressed, my
mother would let me pick out my shirt. I remember always saying, I can do it myself! I
remember the day, my sister and I got a power wheel. I was close to two, and my sister was four.
She was a much better driver than I was, but I remember I was so mad because I could not dive it
ERIKSON SELF-STUDY 6

like her. My grandmother would always say, You could if you practiced. Those words have
always stuck with me over the years. When it came to potty training my mother said, It was a
breeze. Because I had an older sister, and I mimicked everything she did. , When when she
went into the bathroom, I would follow. My mother bought a little potty for me to sit beside her
while she went. My mother also stated, You did not have many accidents, you caught on very
quickly. I believe that I had all the tools and support around me to complete this stage
successfully, with autonomy.

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Stage 3- Initiative vs. Guilt
According to McLeod (2008), Around age three and continuing to age five, children
assert themselves more frequently. These are particularly lively, rapid-developing years in a
childs life. Children are interacting with other children regularly at school, though play they are
learning interpersonal skills and opportunities to explore. Children begin to use imaginations to
make up activities, play games, and initiate activities. According to McLeod (2008),McLeod also
stated: These children will develop a sense of initiative, and feel secure in their ability to lead
others and make decisions. Children begin to figure out how to have power and control over
their environment. When there is success in this stage and the child develops initiative, the
childhe/she has a sense of purpose. Parents who do not encourage imaginative play, or who stifle
all of the Why? questions children have, will bring feelings of guilt into their lives. Also,
Children children who try to exert too much power experiencing all of the time generally
experience disapproval from both peers and adults, and have theproducing feelings of guilt or
being a nuisance.
At the begging beginning of this stage, my parents were getting a divorce. I remember
feeling confused about everything. Nevertheless, my daily routine hardly changed. My
grandmother was a teacher, and who worked for Muncie Community Schools. There was an
opening in their the child development class at the Career Center. and My my mother signed me
up and the following week, I was in a for this preschool setting. I remember being so excited to
go. My older sister was in school already, and I wanted to go. On the first day, I remember being
scared to go in. , but Once once I seen saw other kids playing, I was ready. There were older
students in the classroom and one named Jamie. My mother said, You came home talking about
everything Jamie had taught you that day, and how excited you were to go back. I do not
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remember details about the daily routine, ; I do remember the feeling of structure and how we
were encouraged to try new things. At the end of the year, we had a graduation. We sang a few
songs, and one we had rubber ducks. I remember being excited to sing and show the classroom
to my grandmother. I remember my grandmother asking me questions about the room, and
different items in the room. I was proud that I could answer those questions. , but I was also sad
that I would not be with my friends anymore. Some of these events that I remember are why I
believe that this stage was passed successfully, learning initiative.

Comment [j3]: ??
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Stage-4 Industry vs. Inferiority
This stage of development is school-aged children. , From from six to eleven years of
age. According to Cherry (2014), Through social interactions, children begin to develop a sense
of pride in their accomplishments and abilities. Children who are encouraged and commended by
parents and teachers develop a feeling of competence and belief in their skills. Those who
receive little or no encouragement from parents, teachers, or peers will doubt their abilities to be
successful. Children are coping with new social and academic demands of school, and teachers
and peers play important roles. Teachers need to patiently guide and encourage students to be
successful, producing a sense of industry and competence in their students. Kids also need a
good group of friends during this stage; friends they can play with, do school work with, and
count on. When there is failure in the school setting, the child has the sense of inferiority.
Kindergarten was an easy year. I do remember getting in trouble for talking all the time.
First grade was a little harder for me. ; I remember reading was not my strong point. Second
grade got even harder and I remember being in a reading group in school that would help me.
Third grade, I moved to a new school. I had to make all new friends and I did not understand
anything. I felt very alone. and I struggled through most of the first semester. My teacher was
very nice; she would help by cutting my multiplication tables in half. It was a timed test, and I
only had half the work the other students had. , but I still could not complete them. My
grandmother, seeing that I was struggling, called and got an appointment to have testing for
attention Attention deficit Deficit disorderDisorder. Sure enough, I had a learning disability and
needed to be on medication. Now that the school and teachers knew, we started a plan. I had
tons of support from the school. They even helped my parents find a good tutor to help me. My
teacher would let me have extra time on tests, and we all learned how I learned together. When I
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had a test read to me, I could pass it. If I had to read the test myself, then I would barely pass it.
Over the course of the year, the school and my parents meet met often to discuss the plan we
had, and to make changes when needed. They always encouraged me to try my hardest, and
never give up. One of my friends even would even help me with homework on the bus. She
understood that I needed help and she was always there to help me. , Even even if it was to read
a word or help me understand how to work a math problem. If it were not for the people around
me, I probably would not have successfully past this stage.Thanks to all of the support around
me, I made it through this stage with a good sense of industry.

Comment [j4]: Peer tutoring is one of the
best, most effective strategies for struggling
learners.
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Stage-5 Identity vs. Role Confusion
This stage is between the ages of twelve to eighteen years of age. the teenage years.
According to McLeod (2008), During adolescence, the transition from childhood to adulthood
is most important. Children are becoming more independent, and begin to look at the future in
terms of career, relationships, families, housing, etc. The individual wants to belong to a society
and fit in. This is between the ages of twelve to eighteen years of age. Children Teens during
this stage deal with three primary issues: peers, self-image, and their future. Teens that have a
good, strong basis for independent thinking, taking a stand, and sticking to personal beliefs, will
end this stage with a strong positive identity. On the other hand, teens who constantly cave to
peer pressure, never learning to make an independent decision, will drift through this stage in
confusion. Second is the issue, or often times the problem, of self-image. McLeod reminds us,
During this stage the body image of the adolescent changes. Most teens are fully aware, yet are
uncomfortable about their changing bodies, hormones, and emotions. The good news is that by
the end of this stage, most have learned to accept these changes. Third is the idea of the future.
Teens are beginning to think about jobs, careers, college, housing, and relationships, and are
learning a since of self and are learning the roles in which he or shethey wants to become play
when entering adulthood.. According to McLeod (2008), what should happen at the end of this
stage is a reintegrated sense of self, of what one wants to do or be, and of ones appropriate sex
role. During this stage the body image of the adolescent changes.
This stage of my life was a little bit crazy. I had a wonderful relationship with my family,
friends, and teachers. I went through a rough time when my grandmother had passed away. She
was the center of my world and she was no longer there. The relationship with my family had got
stronger during this time. , However,but I also witnessed many difficulties with other members
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of my family due to this. I had teachers who knew my grandmother well, and were there for me
if I needed to talk. They really helped me get through school. After she had passed, it took me a
long time to get back with reality. When my junior year of high school came around, I found out
I was pregnant. I realized then that I needed to not only finish school for me, but for my child. I
went to an alternative school and graduated a year early. I worked hard with school, and went to
help my boyfriends mother at her job. She was a Certified Nursing Assistant, and I knew that is
what I wanted to do for the time. Once I graduated high school, I had my daughter and shortly
after that, I started school to obtain my C.N.A licenses. Much of the time before I had my
daughter was a blur and I do not remember muchtoo many details. I do remember that once my
daughter was born, I worked fulltime and supported her and my household. Even with the
difficulties, I believe that I successfully passed this stage early because of becoming a mom such
a young age.

Comment [j5]: Yes, life-changing events like
this one can overshadow the primary issues
within the stages.
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Stage 6 - Intimacy vs. Isolation
According to McLeod (2008), Occurring in young adulthood (ages 18 to 40), we begin
to share ourselves more intimately with others. We explore relationships leading toward longer
term commitments with someone other than a family member. Successful completion of this
stage can lead to comfortable relationships and a sense of commitment, safety, and care within a
relationship. Intimacy during this stage is built when adults are able to form close, personal,
committed relationships with others; friends they can actually share themselves with. Adults who
have trust or identity issues usually build walls, and are incapable of forming intimate
relationships, living much of this time in isolation. When there is not success in this stage, you
could feel the since of isolation due to fears of trying to get close to someone. You would fear
intimacy, commitment and relationships.
This is the stage that I am currently in. In the beginning of this stage, I had a rough time. I
was still trying to get over my grandmothers death, and try to raise a child alone. Her father had
left me and I was trying to feel loved again. , When when I really did not need anyone to love me
but my daughter. It was a rough start doing it all on my own. However, I did have a wonderful
support system and wonderful friends who were there to help when I needed them. I dated a little
bit, and found out I was pregnant again. The father was not what I thought he was going to be,
and I knew then I was doing this on my own again. During the pregnancy, I started dating a guy I
have known for years. He was there for me during my pregnancy, and labor. He has been my
youngest daughters father. We have been together for six years now, and I could not have asked
for a better person to be a father figure to my children. I do feel that I can be myself, am
comfortable and , safe, and that he iswe are both committed to our relationship. Because of this,
Comment [j6]: Get rid of any extra space at
the tops of your pages
Comment [j7]: Yes, I discovered this also
not because of my husband, but because of
being adopted and never really feeling like I
belonged to anyone.
Comment [j8]: YAY!
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I feel that I am passing this stage successfullydoing well in this stage, building intimacy and
love.
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Stage 7- Generativity vs. Stagnation
This stage is between the ages of forty to and sixty five. According to Cherry, (2014)
During adulthood, we continue to build our lives, focusing on our career and family. Those who
are successful during this phase will feel that they are contributing to the world by being active
in their home and community. Those who fail to attain this skill will feel unproductive and
uninvolved in the world. This stage is between the ages of forty to sixty five. Middle-age is
when adults are raising families, building careers, and serving in the community. Being proud of
what you have accomplished in life, and watching your children grow builds generativity and the
virtue . When there is successful completion of this stage you get the sense of caring. Being
proud of what you have accomplished in life, and watching your children grow. Knowing your
legacy is the biggest accomplishment.Adults who drift through this stage with selfishness and
without purpose and drive, often begin to feel stagnated.
I have not yet met begun this stage according to my age. However, , but in other ways, I
feel that I have somewhat started this stage. I am proud of my children and their
accomplishments. I am very active within my home and my childrens school. , Being being a
volunteer in their school and with their softball. I get to see how my children have grown into
their own little selves. I also have a career as a Certified Nursing Assistant or C.N.A. I have
been a C.N.A for ten years, and I am proud of what I do. Taking care of people when they can no
longer care for themselves makes me feel wonderful, and that I am contributing to my
community. Knowing that the people I take care of relay on me for daily living. It takes a very
caring person to do that type of job, and I love doing it. I hope that my legacy of caring and
volunteering will live on though my children. I do believe that when I get to this stage that I will
have success within passing.
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Comment [j9]: Delete blank pages
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Stage 8- Integrity vs. Despair
According to McLeod (2008), As we grow older (65 years and over) and become senior
citizens, we tend to slow down our productivity, and explore life as a retired person. It is during
this time that we contemplate our accomplishments and are able to develop integrity if we see
ourselves as leading a successful life. Success in this stage will lead to the virtue of wisdom.
Wisdom enables a person to look back on their life with a sense of closure and completeness, and
also accept death without fear. During this stage, I believe that most people reflect on their life
by telling stories and remembering the good times. , While while others have some regrets about
events that happened in their life. Seniors that are able to reflect on a life of happiness,
contentment, accomplishments, and fulfillment, will live their final days with integrity and the
virtue of wisdom. These people do not fear death; rather they view it as a natural part of life.
However, older adults that can only see a lifetime of unfulfilled dreams and bitter regrets will
generally live in despair and fear death.
When I get to this stage of life, I believe that I will be successful because of being
successful in the previous stages. I hope that I am able to joke around, and tell stories about my
life to the ones who care for me. I love hearing stories about the people I care for and see
pictures of how their life was. When I get to this stage, I hope there is someone around to listen
to my stories and hear about the crazy times in my life. Having closure and no regret in my life.
Remembering the good times and the bad, knowing that I learned and can pass the wisdom on to
others around me. And not being afraid of passing on when its my time. If I can have no
serious regrets, remember good and bad times, and know I can pass on my wisdom to those
around me, I will not be afraid of passing when it is my time. Knowing that I have no major
Comment [j10]: Awkward wording
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regrets now and that previous stages have been positive,, makes me believe that I will be
successful in this stage.

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References
McLeod, S.(2008). Erik Erikson. Developmental Psychology. Retrieved from
http://www.simplypsychology.org/Erik-Erikson.html
Cherry, K.(2014). Stages of Psychosocial Development. Retrieved from
http://psychology.about.com/od/psychosocialtheories/a/psychosocial_2.htm