Erik Erikson’s proposal about his theory maintained that personality develops in a

predetermined order through eight stages of psychosocial development, from infancy to

adulthood. And that during each stage, the person experiences a psychosocial crisis which could
have a positive or negative outcome of the person’s possible personality development. For
Erikson (1958, 1963), these crises are of a psychosocial nature because they involve
psychological needs of the individual (i.e., psycho) conflicting with the needs of society (i.e.,
social). According to Erik Erikson’s theory, a successful completion of each stage results into a
healthy personality and the acquisition of basic virtues. Basic virtues are characteristic strengths
which the ego can use to resolve subsequent crises. However, failure to successfully complete a
stage can result in a reduced ability to complete further stages and therefore an unhealthier
personality and sense of self.  These stages, however, can be resolved successfully at a later time.

I was quite satisfied on Erik Erikson’s work, and I agree with his theory because the

stages he mentioned made sense, from the first one up until the last. Like from the first stage, I
believe trust and mistrust is the first thing children from birth to his/her first year alive develops.
The first thing infants need to know about the world is whom to trust and mistrust: and the
child’s mother is the greatest example on whom a child should develop trust. A person’s
personality further develops in the second stage in his/her life, I can relate to this because this is
where my personality also developed in the autonomy versus shame and doubt stage in life.
Where we are encouraged to try stuff on our own for us to gain you gain confidence in doing
tasks and stuff if we succeed on doing it. But if didn’t, we get that feeling of shame and doubt in
ourselves. Regardless of which is good or bad, both has a major factor in a person’s personality
development.

I think Erik Erikson’s work really went through with everything that we need in order to
understand how the human mind works and how things can affect it such as our social standing,
resulting in it having a positive or negative effect in the development of our personality. Erik
Erikson showed this in the third stage of his theory which is the initiative and guilt, where we are
encouraged to take the initiative to try out new stuff for us to master out skills but sometimes, we
get called off because we might have done something wrong. And because of that we get that
feeling that hinders us when doing a new task which interferes our ability to organize activity
around the goal we are looking for.

I also found how Erik Erikson’s focused in the external factors such as the influence of
people around us and the emotions we feel rather than the sexual aspect of human beings because
it made more sense for we are talking about the development of a person’s personality and I
believe that personality comes from emotion, influence of people and otherworldly factors in our
life instead of sexual because it can’t really be or it lacks the evidence to prove that it contributes
to the development in a person’s personality.

Trust versus mistrust: (From birth to 1 year) In this stage, children need to experience the social
world as a safe place and develop a sense of trust with the caregiver. The conflict arises when the
maternal care and affection is either inadequate or rejecting. Mistrust is reflected in later stages
of development as well. Secure attachment with the child is the key to overcome the mistrust and
emerges the value of "Hope", which serves to maintain the person's belief in the meaning and
trustworthiness of the world.

 Autonomy versus Shame and Doubt: (From 1 to 3 years) In this stage, the child begins
to explore and interact with the world. the conflict arises when the child fails at
accomplishing a particular skill. The child begins to doubt himself/herself and lacks
independence. In contrast, one feels success and self-sufficiency if the exploration is
encouraged. Toilet training plays an important role in this stage. Resolving the conflict
can lead to the emergence of "Will" which is an unbroken determination to exercise free
choice and self-restraint.

 Initiative versus Guilt: (From 3 to 6 years) The social world challenges the child to be
active and encouragement to master new skills leads the child to discover new ways to
take an initiative. However, harsh parental criticism can lead to guilt. The resolution of
the conflict can bring out the value of "Purpose" that emerges with the ability to organize
activity around some goal.

 Industry versus Inferiority: (From 6 to 12 years) In this stage, one learns skills of the
culture through formal education an how can he/she relate to others through the
prescribed rules. However, potential inferiority arises as a result of one's status among
peers, socioeconomic status and negative attitude towards learning and teaching. If the
conflict is overcome, "Competence" emerges as the confidence that one can exert a
positive influence on the social world.

 Identity versus Role Diffusion: (From 12 to 20 years) In this stage, ego development

results in the emergence of one's unique identity by the integration of self-images and
relative autonomy. However, identity crisis can lead to role confusion and aimlessness.
 Adolescents go through Psychosocial Moratorium. "Fidelity" emerges as a value in this
stage and represents how adolescents are able to sustain loyalties despite the evident
contradictions in the value systems.

 Intimacy versus Isolation: (From 18 to 30 years) This stage is characterized by seeking

intimacy with self and also with others. There is a need to achieve stability. However,
conflict arises when there are excessive self-absorption and social emptiness. This results
in formal encounters and insulates oneself from real involvement. One feels threatened
by the risks of intimacy. "Love" emerges as the value in this stage. In addition to its erotic
qualities, it is an ability to commit oneself and abide by such commitments though they
may require compromise and self-denial.

 Generativity versus Stagnation: (From 30 years to old age) Generativity is showing

concern and working towards the welfare of the next generation. Older generations re
concerned about who will replace them. However, the conflict of stagnation arises when
life feels meaningless. It is the phase of a mid-life crisis when individuals reflect on their
past choices and how it is affecting their present. The key value is "Care" which stems
from widening one's commitment to take care of others person, product and ideas that
one has learned to care for.

 Integrity versus Despair: (Old Age) At this stage of life, one review the choices they
made, reflects upon their previous achievements and failures. There is self-acceptance.
The attention shifts from future concerns to past experiences. Death is no longer feared
but rather accepted. However, dissatisfaction with life can lead to a state of despair where
one reviews a series of unfulfilled opportunities and missed directions. "Wisdom" is an
emerging virtue that is an informed and detached concern with life, in the face of death
itself.

After reading and watching how Erik Erikson’s theory about what and how the psycho-social
stage works, I’ve come to realize on how much comprehensive and broad it is compared
to Sigmund Freud’s take on how a person’s/child’s mental development works with his
theory of psychosexual stages. Erik Erikson’s theory approach and proposal about how a
person’s/child’s mental development made more sense and filled the holes of Sigmund
Freud’s theory. Because if we discuss it one by one, you’ll realize how it just makes
sense. Speaking of discussion