Intro to Psychology

Submitted by

Wajiha Ifzal

01-171192-056

Course Instructor

Sir Shaf Ahmed

Assignment 1

By applying Erik Erikson theory to yourself. Identify your current stage and build an argument
by discussing your achievement and weakness on each stage by introspecting yourself.
I am currently 23 years old and married so I find myself in the sixth stage of psychosocial

development, which is young adulthood (intimacy vs. isolation). This is the stage when we

establish our independence from parents and quasi-parental institutions, such as college, and

begin to function as mature, responsible adults. We undertake some form of productive work and

establish intimate relationships like close friendships and serious relationships. I've wanted to

fulfill my goals and dreams together with the person I’m married to, the person who believes the

best in me. I hope that I’ll be able to surpass this stage adequately so that I have better work in

the future.

Trust Versus Mistrust

The oral-sensory stage of psychosocial development occurs during our first year of life, the time

of our greatest helplessness. The baby’s interaction with the mother determines whether an

attitude of trust or mistrust for future dealings with the environment will be incorporated into his

or her personality. If the mother responds appropriately to the baby’s physical needs and

provides affection, love, and security, then the infant will develop a sense of trust, an attitude that

will characterize the growing child’s view of himself or herself and of others which is the

strength of this stage.

On the other hand, if the mother is rejecting, inattentive, or inconsistent in her behavior, the

infant develops an attitude of mistrust and will become suspicious, fearful, and anxious.

Childhood mistrust can be altered later in life through the companionship of a loving and patient

teacher or friend.

I've successfully resolved this stage. From the moment I was born until I was two years my

parents provided me with enough love, attention and constant care that needed to survive
because of that, I was able to gain a sense of trust, which then helped me to form a good

relationship with other people as I grew up.

Autonomy Versus Doubt and Shame

During the second and third years of life, children rapidly develop a variety of physical and

mental abilities and are able to do many things for themselves. They learn to communicate more

effectively and to walk, climb, push, pull, and hold on to an object or let it go. Children take

pride in these skills and usually want to do as much as possible for themselves. So, the basic

strength that develops from autonomy is will, which involves a determination to exercise

freedom of choice and self-restraint in the face of society’s demands. I can also say with

certainty that I've moved past this stage too; it was the time in my life when began to learn

different physical skills. such as walking and crawling. My parents have always been so

encouraging and supportive of me instead of overly controlling the things that I always do. This

is why I became the confident and independent person that I am today.

Initiative Versus Guilt

The stage occurs between ages 3 and 5, Motor and mental abilities are continuing to develop, and

children can accomplish more on their own. They express a strong desire to take the initiative in

many activities. The basic strength called purpose arises from initiative. Purpose involves the

courage to envision and pursue goals.

Initiative may also develop in the form of fantasies, manifested in the desire to possess the parent

of the opposite sex and in rivalry with the parent of the same sex but it depends on how will the

parents react to these self-initiated activities and fantasies, if they punish the child and otherwise
inhibit these displays of initiative, the child will develop persistent guilt feelings that will affect

self-directed activities throughout his or her life which is the weakness of this stage.

In this stage I feel like I was initiative because I remember parents given me a chance to explore

and develop my interpersonal skills and fill up my curiosity about the world. I always used to

take part in different activities then I can do, I use to help my mother in different chores and my

mother let me do it and my parents also never stopped me from interacting with my friends at

school, Because of this opportunity, I was able to develop my sense of initiative.

Industriousness Versus Inferiority

I can also say that I moved past this stage too. However, at this stage of my life, I'm not really

academically competitive. I often receive average scores on my exams because I am the kind of

student who talks a lot with classmates and would miss my teachers’ discussions but still believe

that I've successfully resolved this stage because I may not be that competent when it comes to

academics but I am competent enough when it comes to activities that require other skills and

teamwork.

Erikson’s stage of psychosocial development, which occurs from ages 6 to 11, The basic strength

that emerges from industriousness during the latency stage is competence. It involves the

exertion of skill and intelligence in pursuing and completing tasks. During social interactions

with peers, some children may discover that their abilities are better than those of their friends or

that their talents are highly prized by others. This led to feelings of confidence.
In other cases, People who don't feel competent in their ability to succeed may be less likely to

try new things and more likely to assume that their efforts will not measure up under scrutiny,

which may result in feelings of inadequacy.

Identity Cohesion Versus Role Confusion

This is the stage when individuals are transitioning from childhood to adulthood and must meet

and resolve the crisis of their basic ego identity. This is when we form our self-image, the

integration of our ideas about ourselves and about what others think of us which is the time that

is full of anxiety. We started to focus on our career, friendships and families. Being an

adolescent, we experiment with different roles and ideologies, trying to determine the most

compatible fit. People who emerge from this stage with a strong sense of self-identity are

equipped to face adulthood with certainty and confidence. Those who fail to achieve a cohesive

identity, who experience an identity crisis will exhibit a confusion of roles. They do not seem to

know who or what they are, where they belong, or where they want to go. They may withdraw

from the normal life sequence (education, job, marriage) which is the weakness of this stage.

Moreover, I moved past this stage too, at this stage I became more independent because was

more exposed to my peers and other people other than my family. It was also the stage where I

got to know myself more clearly; my goals and what I would like to be in the future. This was

the time when I chose to be a psychologist. Furthermore, meeting new people has taught me to

be able to listen to others points of view and share our opinions. In addition, I have also gained

more independence because I am an adult and I have more responsibilities.

Intimacy Versus Isolation

I find myself at this stage. During this period, we establish our independence from parents and

quasi-parental institutions, such as college, and begin to function as mature, responsible adults.

We undertake some form of productive work and establish intimate relationships like close

friendships and serious relationships. In Erikson’s view, intimacy was not restricted to sexual

relationships but also encompassed feelings of caring and commitment. These emotions could be

displayed openly, without resorting to self-protective or defensive mechanisms and without fear

of losing our sense of self-identity which is the basic strength of this stage. However, People who

are unable to establish such intimacies in young adulthood will develop feelings of isolation.

They avoid social contacts and reject other people, and may even become aggressive toward

them.