Erikson's stages of psychosocial development, as articulated by Erik Erikson, is a psychoanalytic theory which identifies eight stages through which a healthily developing human should pass from infancy to late adulthood. In each stage, the person confronts, and hopefully masters, new challenges. Each stage builds upon the successful completion of earlier stages. The challenges of stages not successfully completed may be expected to reappear as problems in the future.
I am not a psychologist (though being one is something I fancy), neither am I adept in psychological or social scrutiny. This is for the purpose of self-introspection; the way I see myself from a rational standpoint. If you feel like skipping the long reading, scroll down and you will find the summarized part.
1. The first stage is called TRUST VS. MISTRUST (0-2 YEARS OLD)
Virtue: HOPE
This stage states that whether or not a child is taken cared of or abandoned, will leave him/her a feeling of either TRUSTING or MISTRUSTING during the latter years.
My Introspection:
When I was at this age, I was taken cared well by my dad. I may not have the memory of these years, but I have appreciated how my dad took care of my younger sisters. I'm pretty convinced that I was nourished, caressed, and paid attention to. Noble job, dad!
With this, I associate my ability to trust people easily. I often view people as reliable/truthful. It's a good thing as it leaves me feeling good, being able to chat to people and trust them effortlessly. I am astonished at how I even entrust sensitive matters to acquaintances. I freely share secrets and I feel good when I do. It usually turns out that people I trust don’t fail me. Disappointments due to this trusting behavior seldom occur. Oh well, I guess trust begets trust.
The virtue HOPE prevails more than being hopeless in most situations. If all else fails, I always find hope in myself. The lines Everything happens for a reason , Tomorrow is another day, and God's perfect timing are my hope lines. :) So, the question CAN I TRUST THE WORLD, has an answer of YES.
I find mistrust and hopelessness in some people; these are the ones who were abandoned/neglected during their crucial years. This leads me to understanding why suspicion and futility just seem to be so innate to some people. The most I can do is sympathize and understand.
2. The second stage is AUTONOMY VS. SHAME AND DOUBT (2-4 YEARS OLD)
Virtue: WILL
This phase instills the question, Is it ok to be me? Whether or not parents provide ample care and give liberty to the toddler me, leads to whether I progress as an autonomous or doubting individual at my latter years.
I nearly finished toddler stage when my younger sister, Swen, was born. Whether or not I was let to do things on my own (going to toilet, clothing myself) remains questions unanswered (Unless, maybe, if I ask my grandma).
So allow me to evaluate how I am now in connection to my toddler upbringing years. I’ll try to analyze by answering two questions.
· Do I feel ok to be me? More often, YES. I feel luckier, more competent compared to the majority of people at my age. I sometimes have a little insecurity, but I remain confident in believing that I can do better.
· Do I have the will to do things? More often, YES. I feel trying to do things than not. Even the challenge of new tasks don't scare me. I consider myself as somebody who can work and learn new things at my own independent pace.
With the above two, I am positive that my second stage was successful.
There is one loved one whom I empathize with, not succeeding on this stage.
My brother (elder) was three when I was born. This means he was on this stage (AUTONOMY VS. SHAME AND DOUBT ) when my parents’ attention was directed to me. Prior to my coming, I’m pretty sure he was spoiled with attention and love.
A logical though, explains why he cannot do things on his own. He must have been neglected during these years, hence developing shame and doubt, instead of autonomy. The effect is that he is frequently unwilling to do things for anxiety of failure.
3. The third stage is INITIATIVE VS. GUILT (4-5 YEARS OLD)
Virtue: PURPOSE
This stage is when one learns to explore things, do, move, and act. It mirrors whether someone will feel a sense of purpose in later years.
I have a memory of how I was at this age. I wrote on the walls. I play in the backyard. I talk to imaginary friends. I act as teacher to younger kids.
It was undeniably a rich experience as my family let me do things I desired to do. I recall how I claimed so much to be a teacher one day. Imagine, realizing my purpose at age 5.:)
So today, I am a teacher. The prophecy of this stage has come to life. I have stumbled into the purpose I realized as a kid.
Do I have initiative to do things? More often, YES. I am delighted with finding purpose in everything I do. I am proud to showcase my skill and I initiate change/something new. I am more confident at what I can do than what I can't.
My brother use to be beaten all the time when he runs around to discover things. This explains why he cannot find purpose in anything he does. He doesn’t have initiative to start things. The failure of how he was treated at these years must have bounced back to him badly.
I feel owe at people who can’t find purpose at what they are doing. The best I can do is be an encouragement to them, even in little ways.
So, there you go. The first three stages of my psychological and social development echoed positively. I am grateful for my family who made these years count, making me a well-brought up kid, and a clear-visioned adult.
FEELING LOGICAL. haha
