Erikson Self Study

Erikson Self Study Stage One Through stage eight

Kelsey Pugsley ECED 120-60F Karen Rosales September 18, 2011

Introduction: Erik Erikson was born on June 15, 1902 in Frankfurt, Germany. He was raised by his mother and step father. He developed the interest in identity and emotional development at an early age from his own school experiences (Cherry, about.com). Erikson traveled Europe and decided he wanted to study psychoanalysis. He then received a certificate from Vienna Psychoanalytical Society. In 1933 Erikson moved to the US and got a teaching position at Harvard Medical School. He published books and received a Pulitzer Prize award and a national book award (Cherry, about.com). Erikson believed that a persons personality develops in a series of stages. Erikson also believed that this happened over a period throughout a persons entire life, not stopping after they reach adulthood (Cherry, about.com). Erikson had ego identity as one of his main elements in his theory. Ego identity is the conscious sense of self that we develop through our social interactions (Cherry, about.com). This ego identity is always changing because we experience new daily social interactions and situations. Eriksons theory consists of eight stages of development that go from birth until old age or death (Cherry, about.com). Each stage is different and gives arguments. In each stage there is one thing versus another because a child will either develop one way or the other. Many psychologists and pyschotherapists agreed that Eriksons understands of child development, is equal to the significant impact that Jean Piagets works had (Smith, ezinearticles.com). Erikson, just like Piaget, came to the conclusion that children should not be rushed through their development. Every stage of development is just as equally important as

the other and should be given and allowed enough time to master each developmental stage. When a child is rushed through development, great harm and serious emotional damage can be caused (Smith, ezinearticles.com). Erik Erikson later died on May 12, 1994 but his theory of emotional development is still being taught and learned about today. Stage One: Trust vs. Mistrust (birth to 1 year old) Definition: infants gain a sense of trust, that the world is good, from responsive and warm care (Berk, 2012). Children also need a greater comfort with less uncertainty to trust themselves, others, and the environment (Patient Teaching, 1990). Without these other things, children can develop a since of mistrust when they are handled harshly or neglected (Berk, 2012). In this first stage of development, or the first year of life, Erikson said that a child will either develop a since of trust or they will develop a since of mistrust that will affect them and their development forever. When I was an infant and first born, I was the first child and grandchild. I was an unplanned pregnancy, however, my mother told me that her and my father were both thrilled. My mother was twenty four years old and my father was twenty three. My parents got married on November 4th 1989, and I was born May 8th, 1990. My parents lived in a house in Anderson, Indiana that my grandparents owned. My grandmother also owned a beauty salon right next door. Her and my papaw came over to my parents house everyday to visit me. I also went out to my dads parents house at least twice a week with my mom or dad, and my Nanny came to our house to visit too. So needless to say, I was very popular in my family.

My mom told me I liked to have my bottles warmed and held really close while I was being fed. She also told me that I liked to sleep on my dads chest. She said that is where I slept the best. I was a tummy sleeper and if I wasnt cuddled up with my dad, mom said I had our kitten cuddled up next to me. She said I was a very happy baby. My aunt told me that when I was about ten months old, she would rock me to sleep and I would rub my fingers on her eye lashes and take off all of her mascara. She said I did this every time she rocked me. My grandmother said I did the same thing to her and anyone who rocked me to sleep. I catch myself doing it to myself at night now, and I am 21 years old. This shows that things really do stay with a child as they grow up. I began to walk at ten months old and my grandmother has picture of me standing in front of a large mirror kissing myself. I was a very self infatuated child. My grandmother dressed me in fancy, frilly, dresses all the time and she said I loved it. My mom and Mam, moms mother, both told me that I was such a happy baby and that the only time I cried was when I was hungry, or had a dirty diaper. They both also said that when I would get tired I would whine and rub my eyes. Then someone would rock me to sleep or hand me to my dad, and on his chest we would take naps together. I was a very spoiled and happy first child and grandchild and with everything that I have learned about myself during this first Erikson stage of my life, and from how I am today, I believe that I left this stage with trust.

Stage Two: Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt (one to three years old) Definition: This is where children start to become more independent and do things on their own. They have new mental and motor skills that they use in order to do so (Berk, 2012). Children also start to gain a greater since of personal control and the children gain self control and independence (Cherry, 2011). When parents do not allow the children to do things for themselves and place shame upon the child (Berk, 2012). In this second stage of Eriksons theory, he believed that children began to use their new skills, such as motor skills, and their brains, to help them gain independence, and want to do things on their own. Children want to start making decisions for themselves and doing things on their own. If parents do not allow the children to do this and place shame upon them, they then will develop shame and doubt instead of autonomy. My Nanny told me that when I was younger I was very independent. She said that I always wanted to help her and everyone with whatever it was that they were doing. I remember looking back at pictures from my childhood where I was sitting in the kitchen with her while she was cooking and I had a big bowl and wooden spoon in my hand. She allowed me to help out or rather she made me think I was helping. There are also pictures of me sitting in the counter watching her cook and watching her every move. I was in the kitchen with her a lot, and I notice that still today at twenty one years old I love cooking and I am always helping her cook. My Nanny also loves to garden and she has flower beds all around her house. If she isnt in the kitchen she is out in the yard keeping up her flowers and plants. She has always been this

way and she has told me that my mother would bring me over to her house and that we would all be outside working. Mom and Nanny would be digging and planting with little shovels and I would be digging with a small one right next to them. When it came time to go dump the weeds, I would help Mom and Nanny push the wheel barrels out to the creek behind the house to dump the dirt. Mom and Nanny both told me that I almost always would ride back in the wheel barrel instead of help push. They said I was a very helpful child and that I loved to be around them and do what they were doing. My nanny and mother were always very encouraging of my decisions. They both allowed me to dress myself and they let me do things on my own. My mom to this day still calls me Mother Hen. She says I was always taking care of my brother. He was born on my first birthday and she said ever since that day I thought I was his mommy. She said I always wanted to help feed him and help change him. Even past the three year old stage she said I was so caring, loving and protective, of my brother. She said I always wanted to be around him and help take care of him. Mom told me I always played with him and helped him clean up toys. She told me that I liked to show him how to do things and that I was a very mothering sister. Even today I catch myself helping him out at all times and making sure he is staying out of trouble and giving him guidance. I was a very independent and helpful child and I have seen that as I have grown up I am still very much like this. I feel that I left Eriksons second stage with autonomy rather than shame and doubt.

Stage three: Initiative vs. Guilt (three to six years old) Definition: Children begin to closely watch the adults around us and make up situations similar to this by playing dramatically or with dolls (Harder, 2009). Through this make believe play, children gain a sense of responsibility and ambition, which is initiative (Berk, 2012). If children are not allowed the opportunity to engage in make believe play, and they are controlled too much by adults, children can experience guilt (Berk, 2012). Erikson said that in this stage of development, young children begin to play make believe and re-interrupt interactions they have seen between adults, and their parents. Children watch every things that adults do and then they express these situations when they are playing make believe or playing with dolls or barbies. I think I was in this stage for more than three years. I played barbies until I was thirteen. When I was younger I can remember playing with dolls that my grandmothers had given me. I also remember playing house with my younger brother and step sister. We would play all day long. I remember where I would be the mom and they would be my children. I also remember playing with the kitchen center that we had. My sister and I would play barbies and Polly pockets on a daily basis and we would copy things that we had seen on television or from our parents or other adults we knew. We were allowed to play in our rooms as children and given the freedom to engage in make believe play. We were supervised and checked in on but we were allowed to play and use our imaginations. Mom never told us we couldnt dress up like guys if we wanted and she never told my brother that he couldnt me the mom or wear pink. We were allowed to explore

different roles while playing make believe and with dolls and I feel like that is really important, and therefore I left this stage with initiative.

Stage four: Industry vs. Inferiority (six to eleven years old) Definition: Children learning to cooperate and work with others in groups or situations (Berk, 2012). When a child has negative experiences that affect their work at school and the problems came from home the child may develop inferiority (Berk, 2012). Children strive to master new skills and need parents to encourage them to develop a feeling of competence and success in their skills (Cherry, about.com). Erikson said that during the beginning of the school years, the child will learn how to work with others in groups and cooperate. I remember when I was in kindergarten and first grade, we played a lot of games and did a lot of group activities. I feel like I did good in the groups and that I was cooperative, or as cooperative as a six year old could be. I remember where we also had to take turns with each other and learn to wait. My Nanny told me that I always played good in groups and that I did well taking turns. I had two younger girl cousins that I played with a lot and we would always play games, do art projects, play with playdoh, or find something creative to do together and we all played very well together. We would always sit around and watch cartoons in the mornings and have our breakfast. After breakfast we would go to the playroom and play with barbies or other toys and

make a huge mess. Then we would have to clean the mess up before we moved on to a different room to play in. My cousins and I were very good at making messes, but we were also pretty good at working together to help clean them because we knew if we all helped we could get to the other room for something better, quicker. I left this stage with Industry.

Stage five: Identity vs Role confusion (adolescence) Definition: When a child finds out what they want to be in life or has an idea of what they want their lives and themselves to be like (Berk, 2012). A child can develop tensions about knowing themselves and their abilities. Adolescents also experience new things in order to try to fit in with certain crowds (scribd.com). In the adolescence of your life, Erikson said that a child will develop a sense of who they want to be and what they want to do. Children start thinking about how they see their lives later on down the road and what they need to do now to get to that place. When I was an adolescent, I right away knew that I wanted to work with children in some way when I got older. I grew up babysitting my cousins children and I loved doing it and so I knew that I had to somehow work with children later on. My mother always encouraged my decisions and talked to me about different options that I had when it came to working with children. I first thought that I wanted to be a pediatrition and work with sick children, then I later decided that I didnt want to work with jus t sick children, but all kinds of children. I also wanted to be a part of teaching them.

When I was younger, me and my cousins would play school and I would be the teacher most of the time. We had desks down in the basement with old school books, notebooks, and pencils. We would do math and language papers that my aunt would print off for us and we played for hours. I always loved to go to football games with my friends, when I wasnt cheerleading, and watch the game. I loved hanging out with friends all the time. I can remember my mom always getting upset with me because I always wanted to be at my friends house and never wanted to be at home. I left this stage knowing my identity.

Stage six: Intimacy vs Isolation (Early adulthood) Definition: During this time period in ones life, they begin to have intimate relationships with others and can be open with others (Berk, 2012). Being able to relate to another person on a intimate and personal level is a form of intimacy. One who fears this relationship can go into isolation or be alone (web.cortland.edu). I feel like I am starting this stage right now, I am twenty one years old and I think that is early adulthood. I am living on my own and paying bills, working two jobs, and going to school. I have a boyfriend who I have been seeing for a little over three years now and we are very happy together. We are living in our first house and enjoying every bit of it. We just recently bought a puppy and we love him to death. He keeps us very busy.

Seth and I are very open with each other and we have a good trusting relationship. We tell each other everything. We always talk about our feelings and problems and we try to keep our relationship as strong as possible. Relationships are hard work, especially if you have had your heart broken before. It was very hard for me to open up to him and be trusting because I have been hurt before. I feel like after three years he has more than proven his love and commitment to me and I am so much more trusting of him. In previous relationships, I was hurt emotionally a lot. I have had my heart broken by the same guy more than once and it was very hard to move past that and think that another guy isnt the same. I learned to forgive people for the past and move on to the future to make my life easier and better. By doing this it has made me have an amazing relationship with my boyfriend and we plan to be married someday once I graduate. I think that I will leave this stage being intimate rather than isolated.

Stage seven: Generativity vs Stagnation (Middle adulthood) Definition: Generativity is caring for children and giving to others. Feeling like you have accomplished things in your lifetime occurs during this stage as well. When you feel like there is more that could have been done with your life you may experience a mid life crisis and seek to find something to feel like your life was well spent (Berk, 2012). During this time, children are leaving the home and going off to school, getting married, having children of their own, and starting their own lives. Adults may feel unhappy and

empty inside when their children leave and they are left alone with their spouse. This is a time where the spouses get to know each other all over again. They have not been without the children for so long, and their lives have revolved around the children for so long that the adults forget things about their partners and may need to get to know them all over again. During this time in my life, I will have children of my own. I am hoping for two or three children and at least one girl. They will all be close to, if not at the age where it is time for them to go their own ways and start their own lives. This will be a time for me to really think about my life and the past. I feel like I have accomplished a lot in my life time, I have a degree in early childhood education and I have had my own daycare and preschool. I am still working and not close to retirement because childcare isnt the richest job in the world. My husband is working still also and he will be retiring within the next few years. We are starting to do things together and find new hobbies to keep ourselves busy together. We go to the park and take our dogs for walks, we have bought a new sports car and take drives to look at the scenery. We also like to go to college basketball and football games. We visit our children at college and are always there for them for everything. I feel that we have raised good children. We love to have our friends over for dinners and go to the movies. We miss having our children around the house but we have found things to keep ourselves busy and enjoy spending our time together. I feel like I have accomplished a lot of great things in my lifetime and that I have a great family, happiness, and love and that is more than any amount of money could compare to. Therefore, I have left this stage with generativity and feel accomplished with myself and my life.

Stage eight: Integrity vs Despair (Old age) Definition: Feeling that your life was accomplished and accepting that life will end (Berk, 2012). If you feel like your life was a fail or unaccomplished and you feel like there was more things that you could of done or if you have regrets, you may feel despair (Berk,2012). When you experience a fear for death and you lose self sufficiency, you can experience despair, but healthy and developed children will most likely not experience this and will have integrity rather than despair (Davis, and Clifton). During this time in my life, I feel like I have been blessed with children, a wonderful husband, one great dog, and a loving family. I have had an amazing time during my career and I feel that my life was more than anyone could ask for. No I do not have millions of dollars but I do have an amazing, loving family that is so close and that means so much more than money. My parents were amazing and I was so blessed to have such a great set of parents to take the time to teach and guide me in the right direction. I strived so much to be like my mother and raise my children to be great people. I feel very accomplished. I am so blessed to have a husband who had been there with me through thick and thin and who loves me to this day. My life has been a great thing and I know that when I die, it is my time and I will feel good about all the things I have done in my lifetime. We have taken memorable family vacations and trips that brought us all closer together. We have shared stories with each other from our childhoods. We have enjoyed all the time we have had together and have tried to make the best of all situations. I know that when

my time comes, it will be ok and I will not feel despair. I have left this stage with absolute integrity. CITATIONS: 1. Infants, Children, and Adolescents, Laura E. Berk, 7th edition, 2012, page 16 2. Eriksons Developmental Stages, Patient Teaching, Loose Leaf Library Springhouse Corporation, 1990, http://www2.honolulu.hawaii.edu/facdev/guidebk/teachtip/erikson.htm 3. Autonomy Versus Shame and Doubt, -Psychology Definition of the Week, Kendra Cherry, 2011 http://psychology.about.com/b/2011/10/07/autonomy-versus-shame-and-doubtpsychology-defintion-of-the-week.htm 4. The Developmental Stages of Erik Erikson, Arlene Harder, 2009 http://www.learningplaceonline.com/stages/organize/Erikson.htm 5. Erik Erikson Boigraphy (1902-1994) Kendra Cherry http://psychology.about.com/od/profilesofmajorthingkers/p/bio_erikson.htm 6. Eriksons Theory of Psychosocial Development, Kendra Cherry http://pyshcology.about.com/od/pyschosocialtheories/a/psychosocial.htm 7. The Life and Time of Erik H Erikson- The Man and His Theory, William L. Smith Ph.D. http://ezinearticles.com/?The-Life-and-Time-of-Erik-H-Erikson---The-Man-and-HisTheory&id=2363205 8. Industry Versus Inferiority, Stage Four of Psychosocial Development, Kendra Cherry

http://psychology.about.com/od/psychosocialtheories/a/industry-versus-inferiority.htm 9. Identity vs Role Confusion (5th stage of Eriksons life stage theory) http://www.scribd.com 10. Erik Eriksons 8 stages of Psychosocial Development, Stage 6: Young Adulthood http://web.cortland.edu/andersmd/ERIK/stage6.HTML 11. Psychosocial Theory: Erikson, The Epigenetic Psychosexual Stages, Doug Davis and Alan Clifton http://www.haverford.edu/psych/ddavis/p109g/erikson.stages.html