Philosology

In the text form, Human Development Ninth Edition by Diane E. Papalia, Sally Weldkos Olds, Ruth Duskin Feldman (POF), Psychoanalyst Erik Erikson had a theory of psychosocial development that covered eight stages of life. These stages were in the form of the virtues hope, will, purpose, skill, fidelity, love, care, and wisdom. In his eighth stage, Erikson proposed that people of an older age must come to a decision as to whether they are willing to accept that life itself is not forever and respect it, or to relive life in despair because the person cannot accept that life ends. Each stage seemed to carry on the attributes of its virtue, whether negative or positive to that of the next stage (POF, 32). What determines the reaction that the person will have? Will it be a positive or negative reaction? If reactions carry over to the next stage, can they be changed? What knowledge is there to gain from understanding the passing of one stage to the next? Will Erikson's eight stages help me to become successful in life and what will I do in the next four years?

Erikson called his first stage trust versus mistrust. This stage happens within the first twelve to eighteen months of life. The baby faces trust and mistrust issues as it begins to develop a sense of the environment, notably the world. One of the factors in which the baby deals with is the question of whether this is a place of safety or good. If the baby develops a positive or trusting outlook on the world, different sensory and motor activities become available, yet with a negative or a mistrusting perspective a delay of sensory and motor skills could be detected (POF, 32). When I was a baby, I assume that I had a trusting environment in which to develop because I am a very trusting person. What other stages will help influence the growth of the baby into early childhood?

The second stage is called autonomy versus shame and doubt. This stage begins around eighteen months and ends at three years. The child starts to develop a will of his or her own and the famous word "No" becomes accessible to the child. If the child has developed a sense of trust, then it is more likely that the child will have a sense of autonomy (self-independence), but, with a sense of mistrust, a child, according to Erikson, would cast shame and doubt. This is due to the lack of sufficient key manifestations such as love, attention, play, language, kindness, and care in the child's life (POF, 32). Language and motor skills will be developed more in children in a good and safe environment rather than a place of insecurity. I reflect back upon my late infancy years when my first memory was of being a picky eater at the age of three. During that time, I threw food everywhere if I did not like it. My autonomy and independence was displayed when I said "No" to certain foods. With a trusting environment and an ability to handle my autonomy in that aspect, according to Erikson's psychosocial development theory, what will happen next?

Stage three in Erikson's theory of human development starts at the age of three and goes to six years of age. The child contrives to the development of new activities, interactions, and imaginations (POF, 32). This stage is called initiative versus guilt. If the child has the initiative to try new things it shouldn't be too overwhelming for the child. Children that feel guilty may have a fear of purpose or punishment (POF, 232). When I was around six years of age, people could have called me the "Dennis the Menace" of the neighborhood. People loved my kindness and imagination, yet I did break things (a lot of them). I wanted to be like Indiana Jones and rescue fair maidens, although in the process I broke windows, fences, doors, halls, and I must mention a dishwashing machine. I took the initiative by putting myself out there, but I did feel guilty when I broke the dishwasher which taught me the difference between right and wrong. Does culture have anything to do with the next stage?

Erikson's fourth stage is industry versus inferiority and happens between the ages of six and twelve. During this time, children develop much needed skills for their culture or society. If not successful, the child may confront feelings of ineptitude or possibly, stupidity (POF, 32). On the negative side, I found out that I have a learning disability so I felt stupid and unworthy of the society around me. Fortunately, with tutors at my local elementary school, I was able to relearn old habits and attack the situation with a different perspective and still arrive at the correct solution. At this stage of my life, I was confronted with both the negative and positive influences. Luckily I had parents who were willing to give their time to give me a chance in life unlike so many others that do not. What virtue is displayed in the teenage and early twenties years?

The nest stage identifies adolescence and happens from the ages of twelve to twenty years. Erikson describes it as being identity versus identity confusion (POF, 32). The adolescent mind struggles with ideas of sex, maturity, and spirituality, but it is more of a conflict within them. The adolescent, according Erikson, battles to find his or her own uniqueness and sense of self during these years. If the person fails in this stage, he or she may ask, "Who am I?" As an adolescent, I knew who I was, although it did take me some time. I already knew I was heterosexual because I had a fire burning deep within my loins at the age of nine. I found out that I was a responsible adolescent from the experience of my years on this earth and I was cheerful just to be around people whom I loved as friends, family, and even more. I knew people that didn't know anything about themselves and they, unfortunately, allowed themselves to let time tick by, second by second. My life as I knew it came to a halt when I sustained a brain injury at the age of seventeen. I would now relive my life in a progress of irregular stages and times in short periods. What are the next three stages of Erikson's psychosocial theory of human development?

After the stage of adolescence, there is a period identified as young adulthood. These people fit the age range of twenty to forty and are portrayed as intimacy versus isolation. A positive person seeks commitments to friends, loved ones, family, and/or people they may hardly know. Erikson named the emotion of intimacy in his theory, but with a sense of negative feelings, a person may experience isolation or self-absorption (POF, 32). My cousin, Michael, was one of those people. He only cared for himself and spent a lot of his time away from his girlfriend, or even without his family around to care and love him. We (my family) loved him, but he was stuck in a trap of disillusion

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