Running head: ERIKSON PROJECT

Erikson Project, Self-Study

Ciera Hurt
Ivy Tech Community College

ERIKSON PROJECT

Erik H. Erikson
Erik Erikson was born June 15, 1902 in Frankfurt Germany. Eriksons mother raised him
as a single parent before marrying Dr. Theodor Homberger. Erikson was unaware that
Homberger was not his biological father for many years. When Erikson found out the truth, it
left him confused about who he was. This experience triggered his interest in identity.
Throughout school Erikson was also teased for being Nordic because he was tall, blonde, and
blue-eyed. This experience also fueled his interest in identity. After high school Erikson spent
some time in Europe traveling. Erikson studied psychoanalysis and earned a certificate from the
Vienna Psychoanalytic Society. He was a teacher throughout many years of his life. He met his
wife Joan Serson at a school they both taught at and they eventually had three children. In 1933
Erikson moved to the United States and was offered a teaching position at Harvard. It was not
until after this that he changed his name from Erik Homberger, to Erik H. Erikson. Erikson died
May 12, 1994. (Cherry, 2014)
Eriksons theory is one of the most known theories in psychology, and consists of eight
specific stages of development. According to Erikson, our ego identity is always changing due
to new experiences and information we acquire daily. Each stage in Eriksons theory is
concerned with being competent in an area of life. If the stage is handled well, the person will
feel a sense of mastery. (Cherry, 2014)
Throughout this paper I will discuss Eriksons 8 stages of his psychosocial developmental
theory. I will discuss the importance of each stage and what the outcome of each stage should
be. I will also be discussing what my life was like at each stage and how my life will progress in
the future.

ERIKSON PROJECT

Stage 1 Trust vs. Mistrust

Stage one starts from birth to 18 months. During stage one a child should either develop
a sense of trust or a sense of mistrust. The infant is dependent on his/her guardian for food,
stability and overall care. The primary event in this stage is feeding. When infants are fed on
demand, they begin to develop a sense of trust. Also, if the infant is well taken of and receives
the right amount of care, he/she builds on that trust. When infants are not fed properly or when
they need it, and if they are not well taken care of, they generally develop a sense of fear and
mistrust. (McLeod, 2008)
Although I do not remember much of this time in my life, I believe I was well taken care
of. I was born two months early so my mother had to always be affectionate and be careful with
me. Looking back at baby pictures I always seemed to be happy and smiling. I was also very
healthy, being fed, clothed and changed appropriately. I believe I came out of this stage with a
sense of trust.

ERIKSON PROJECT

Stage 2 Autonomy vs. Shame/Doubt

Stage 2 consists of toddlers, ages 18 months to 3 years. According to Saul McLeod this
is the stage toddlers gain some independence. They begin to walk, talk and use the bathroom on
their own. Potty training is the most important event during this stage. Parents need to be
patient and encouraging during this training, which helps give the child a feeling of autonomy.
Parents should also encourage the child to do other things independently, and help when needed.
If the parent does not encourage the child or be there when the child needs help, the child might
come out of this stage with the sense of shame and doubt. If everything goes smoothly and the
parents are patient and encouraging, the child should develop a good sense of self-confidence.
(McLeod, 2008)
After talking with my mother I learned that at this age I was very independent. I tried to
do everything on my own. I would want to walk everywhere on my own and if there was
something I wanted, I would try to get it on my own first. Even if I did not do the things very
well, my mother still encouraged me and motivated me. My mother was very patient with me
during potty training and I would say I came out of stage 2 with the sense of independence, selfconfidence, and autonomy.

ERIKSON PROJECT

Stage 3 Initiative vs. Guilt

Stage 3 consists of children ages 3 to 5 years. During stage three children become more
socially involved. They begin to play and their imagination begins to grow. According to Saul
McLeod children begin to plan activities, make up games, and initiate activities with other
people. When children have these opportunities available to them, they will develop a sense of
initiative. Also at this stage this child will become very curious and begin to ask questions. If
the parent does not encourage the child to ask questions and treat him/her as a nuisance, the child
will come out of this stage with a sense of guilt. If everything goes well in this stage the child
will develop a sense of purpose and initiative. (McLeod, 2008)
During this stage, I was just as curious as every other child. If there was something I was
unsure of, I was not afraid to ask about it. At the age of four I began pre-school. I remember it
being the highlight of my entire day. I enjoyed playing with my peers and I also met my very
best friend while I was in pre-school. During this stage in my life my grandparents played a very
important role. My mother worked a lot, so my brother and I spent quite a bit of time with them.
They always encouraged me to use my imagination and they never made me feel bad for asking
questions. I would have to say I came out of this stage with a sense of initiative.

ERIKSON PROJECT

Stage 4 Industry vs. Inferiority

Stage 4 consists of children ages 6 to 12 years. During this stage school becomes very
important. According to Arlene Harder, this is the stage where relationships at school and with
the neighborhood become more important. Teachers begin to play a very important role in the
childs life. The child will learn how to make and do things, use tools, use various resources and
learn new skills. Instead of doing these things at home with their parents, they will do them with
their peers at school. Also at this stage it becomes more important for the child to have friends.
Some children may feel like they need to impress their friends in order for them to be liked.
Friends at this time will have a huge effect on a childs self-esteem. If the child is encouraged by
parents, teachers and peers he/she will develop a sense of competence and industry. If the child
does not feel encouraged by teachers or make friends at school, he/she will come out of this stage
with a sense of inferiority. (Harder, 2012)
At this stage in my life I was very eager to go to school. I was always upset if school was
ever cancelled. I loved all of my teachers. All of the teachers that I have had in the past have
encouraged me and they are the reason I would like to be a teacher today. I loved to learn new
skills and how to apply them to other subjects. My favorite part about school when I was
younger was getting good grades, and having the awards ceremony. It is always a good thing
when hard work does not go unnoticed. I also had a few close friends that I associated with in
and outside of school and they were very encouraging. I would say I came out of this stage with
a sense of industry.

ERIKSON PROJECT

Stage 5 Identity vs. Role Confusion

Stage 5 of Eriksons study consists of teens, ages 12 to 18 years. According to Saul
McLeod, this is the stage when the individual will transition from being a child to becoming an
adult. This is the stage where the teen will become more independent. Friends become almost
all-important during this stage, and peer pressure is usually an issue. Teens that are able to
withstand peer pressure, building their own values and morals, usually gain a strong sense of
identity. Teens will also start to look at the future and how they want life to be as an adult. Also
during this stage the teens body changes and will become more developed. Typically the
teenager may be uncomfortable with the changes at first, but then as time goes on he or she will
adapt. If everything in this stage goes well, the teen will come out with a strong sense of
personal identity. If things go badly for the teen, he or she will probably go through an identity
crisis and a period of confusion. (McLeod,2008)
During this stage in my life I believe I became very independent. All throughout school I
kept my grades up because I knew how they would affect my future. There are several careers
that I contemplated during this time, but I believe teaching is where my heart has always been. I
debated on different colleges but I chose Ivy Tech. I maintained my first job at the age of
sixteen. It was just a little job at the tanning salon, but it was something. Right after I graduated
from high school I started working two jobs at Kohls and Burger King. A couple months after I
had been working I started living on my own in my old house. Of course my mother still helps
me if needed be, but I believe this is the start to something great. I believe I came out of this
stage with a strong identity and I believe I am prepared for my future.

ERIKSON PROJECT

Stage 6 Intimacy vs. Isolation

Stage 6 consists of adults, ages 19 through 40 years. During this stage love and
relationships play an important role in your life. According to Erikson, you are not
developmentally complete until you are capable of intimacy. During this stage our relationships
with others become more important and they begin to last longer. Typically during this stage
adults who are capable of building close, intimate relationships start thinking about getting
married and starting a family. According to Saul McLeod, if everything goes well during this
stage a sense of commitment, safety, and care in a relationship will be developed, which is
intimacy. The virtue of love will also be developed. If things do not go well, if adults have trust
issues and cannot share themselves with another person, they may begin to avoid intimacy, not
being able to be close with others. These adults tend to become lonely, which usually leads to
isolation and depression. (McLeod, 2008)
I have not been nineteen very long but I have been able to create a few close relationships
with friends. I have known most of my friends since we were just 6th graders in middle school. I
know I can trust my friends and could ask them for pretty much anything. They can also trust
me and ask me for anything as well. Because I have created close bonds with people I believe I
will be more than ready to get married and start a family in the future. But at this point in my
life I dont see the need for anything deeper than just having friends. I would like to start a
family after I get my bachelors degree, at the age of twenty-five maybe. By that time I feel like I
will be able to raise a child to the best of my ability. I believe I have already been able to build
close, personal relationships, and as time goes on, I will continue to come out of this stage with a
sense of intimacy.

ERIKSON PROJECT

Stage 7 Generativity vs. Stagnation

Stage 7 consists of middle-age adults, ages 40 to 65 years. According to Saul McLeod,
we establish our careers, settle within a relationship, begin our own families and develop a
sense of being a part of the bigger picture. At this point in the individuals life, he or she should
will look outside of ones self and start to look out for others. According to Erikson adults need
children as much as children need adults. Adults at this time of life should be productive at work
and they should be involved with their community. They are trying to leave their mark on the
world, either by building and maintaining a successful career, or by having a family and raising
children, or both. Adults who have been successful in these areas will experience contentment
and generativity during this stage, leading to a virtue of care. Those adults who have never been
able to grow up, hold a job, have a family, etc will begin to feel stagnated and discontent.
(McLeod, 2008)
At this time in my life I hope to be married with children and maybe grandchildren. I
believe by this time I will be more than ready to care for others than myself. During this time in
my life I plan to be a middle or high school Math teacher, or a college professor, if life takes me
that way. I plan to be very active within my school and within my community. In short, I hope
to do everything within my power to contribute positively to society, and build a strong sense of
generativity.

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Stage 8 Integrity vs. Despair

Stage 8 consists of senior adults ages 65 and over. At this age we become senior citizens
and are usually retired from the work force. Saul McLeod suggests that this is when we slow
down our productivity and explore life as a retired person. At this time the adults will reflect
upon his or her life and decide if it was filled pleasure or filled with disappointments. Adults
who are able to reflect on a life well-lived, full of loving relationships, family, and
accomplishments, will feel a strong sense of identity. These adults usually do not fear death;
rather they see it as a natural part of life. Erikson believed that seniors who are unhappy about
unfulfilled accomplishments and reflect on a life filled with bitterness and regret, it often leads to
depression, hopelessness, and despair. (McLeod, 2008)
By this time in my life I plan to be retired. I plan to travel with my family and do all the
things I wish to do. I believe that I will be successful with my career and accomplish goals that I
set for myself. The outcomes of the previous stages have all been positive for me. This leads me
to assume that the outcome of this stage will be positive as well. I believe I will be able to look
back on my life and be satisfied with the way my life has played out. I hope my life continues to
have loving relationships and I hope to achieve any goal that I desire. I believe I will come out
of this stage with a strong sense of identity and integrity.

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Conclusion
Throughout this paper I discussed Erikson and the 8 stages of his psychosocial
developmental theory. After researching Erikson and his theory I feel like I have a better
understanding of the stages of growth and development that human beings all must pass through.
I also believe I have a better understanding of who I am and who I will become in the future. I
feel like I have mastered each stage and because of that I assume I will feel accomplished after
stages six, seven, and eight. The information has been helpful to me because it helped me to
understand what I should be accomplishing at certain ages. In the future I will use this when
dealing with my own children and children in my classroom. I realize now that children need
encouragement not only from their parents and family, but from their teachers as well. The
information will be useful because, if my child begins to act a certain way at a certain age, I will
be able to determine if it is normal by looking through these stages. Eriksons eight stages of
development let me know that I am on track and reassured that I am doing what I am supposed to
be doing in order to be successful in the future.

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References
Cherry, K. (2014). Eriksons Theory of Psychosocial Development. About.com Psychology.
Retrieved from http://psychology.about.com/od/profilesofmajorthinkers/p/bio_erikson.htm
Harder, A. (2002). The Developmental Stages of Erik Erikson. Support 4 Change. Retrieved
fromhttp://www.support4change.com/index.php?
option=com_content&view=article&id=47&Itemid=108
McLeod, S. (2008). Erik Erikson. Simply Psychology. Retrieved from
http://www.simplypsychology.org/Erik-Erikson.html