Instruction:

Write a reflection paper based on the learning you gained from the discussions of psychological
perspective module.
Use these guide questions to further expound your respective answers:

⚬How do you think your past influenced the kind of person you are right now? Cite specific
stages in Erik Erikson’s theory and relate it to your answer and experience.

⚬What do you think is the most crucial task you need to resolve in your current stage so that you
will have fewer issues to face in the future? How do you plan to resolve it?

⚬How would you describe your current self in terms of your personality, behavior, thoughts, and
emotions?

Reflection Paper
According to Erik Erikson, there are eight phases of development that span from infancy through
old age. The phases to be discussed in this reflection paper are the fourth stage of development—
industry vs. inferiority—and the fifth stage—identity vs. identity confusion.
When I was between the ages of 6 to 12 years old, various activities were added to my life, such
as going to school, speaking with my peers, learning how to write, and read, and doing things on
my own, particularly when it came to tasks that my parents were telling me to do or doing my
assignments on my own. This was the fourth stage of development where I experienced the
emotions of feeling competitive or inferior to others. At this point, I started to feel the urge to get
the acceptance of people by displaying skills that society values and I started to experience a
feeling of pride when I accomplished those goals. For instance, when I was young, I wanted to
perform in a play like my uncle, so I reasoned that to be like him, I should begin at school by
learning some interpretive dance. However, when I told my parents that I wanted to join, they
really opposed it and said that it was only a hassle and a waste of money, although they said they
were sorry about it, that's when I started to feel inferior and started to doubt myself.
Even now of course, I do still feel competitive with others (in a positive way) because my
childhood influences my teenage year or what I am now in the present, If I am unable to acquire
the talent that society perceives as necessary for example, being athletic, my thoughts is that I am
only being valued once I only do what other to tell me to do, what they expected me to do and
what approves by the society. But I am now at the age of Teenager which is the Fifth Stage of
Development in Erik Erikson's Theory, this is when the time we as teenagers tend to explore
things that we’re curious about and explore possibilities that may start to develop our own
identities. And if we’re unable to forge an Identity regarding ourselves or within society, it can
result in Identity Crisis referred to as role confusion. It is being said but I believe that if I am still
stuck being inferior to other or still doubting myself, I’ll be having a hard time knowing my
identity in society or myself. While my peers are my greater significance and have grown to be a
significant source of my self-esteem, it is also owing to my strong and independent personality
that I was still able to know myself.
Even though I still have some doubts about myself and the society I live in which can be
inevitable, I remain optimistic that I can overcome them because I accept the fact that I am not
perfect, and that I cannot predict everything that will happen to me, that I am still developing,
and that I have a lot of life lessons left to learn. Yet, when things become this chaotic, I should
not back down but instead embrace the unknown and move forward.

Reference:

Cherry, K. (2022, August 3). Erik Erikson’s stages of psychosocial development. Very Well

Mind. https://www.verywellmind.com/erik-eriksons-stages-of-psychosocial-

development-2795740

‌Cohn, A. (2021, February 15). Don’t Let Self-Doubt Hold You Back. Harvard Business Review.

https://hbr.org/2021/02/dont-let-self-doubt-hold-you-back

‌Sutton, J. (2020, August 5). Erik Erikson’s Stages of Psychosocial Development Explained.

Positive Psychology. https://positivepsychology.com/erikson-stages/