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Trust vs. Mistrust
The main idea/felling for this stage is security. Whether the child trusts the parents and if they get separation anxiety or object permanance. In this stage I trusted my parents at a very early age. I also had a "security blanket" which didn't leave my side until I was in elementary school. If I ever lost "By By" (the blanket), i would cry and be inconsolable until we found him (it was a boy for some reason and was kind of like an imaginary friend) -
Autonomy vs. Shame (1-3)
This is the stage in which the chid becomes independent or doubtful of their own abilities. The child will want to do things themselves and if they are not allowed they will start to doubt themselves.
I was very independent as a child, I would always want to do things myself. I used to "explore" alot escpecially when we went to crowded places. -
Initiative vs. Guilt (3-6)
Stage 3 is when children begin to have their own ideas. When a child is encouraged to take initiative they gain leadership abilities, but when not allowed to take initiative they begin to feel guilty over having their own thoughts, which could impair them later on.
My parents always encouraged me to be independent and to be a leader. At a young are I woud take charge of the other kids around me and I was never afraid of offering ideas to any one (including adults). -
Industry vs. Inferiority (6-puberty)
The child starts to find the thing that fit them, and the things that they are good at. Once they find these things they get pride in their work and abilities. If they can't find something, or are made to do something that an older sibling/parent was good at, they can develop feelings of inferiority.
In this stage I was finding that I was good at sports, and reading. I took pride in my advanced reading ability and in amount of sports I played. -
Identity vs. Role Confusion (adolescence)-
This stage is all about where "you" fit in, what motivates you, what's important, etc... A adolescent who finds this, finds their identity in themselves. A teenager who does not find this has role confusion. During this stage I was focuse on finding what I was good at and what motivated me. I found that I was good at reading, school, and sports. But after I got injured and had to put sports on the backburner I started to find other things that make me who I am, and where I belong. -
Intimacy vs. Isolation (young adulthood)-
This is where the individual starts developing relationships (not just romantic). This stage is very easily impacted by the first three stages. If the individual does not form solid relationships in this stage, it results in a feeling of isolation. I am definitely in the intimacy section of this stage. I am surrounded by people who love me and the friendships I've made are priceless. -
Generatively vs. Self-Absorbtion/Stagnation (middle adulthood)-
In this stage the person needs purpose in their life, a meaningful job, and whether or not they are doing what they want. If they do have purpose, then they will be productive. Not finding purpose can result in a "mid-life crisis" and a search for something that fulfilling. I think that I will fill good about my life and where I am at this moment.I usually try to do the right thing, as well as the things that make me happy. -
Integrity vs. Despair (senior adulthood)
This last stage is about reflection. They self-reflect on whether their life had purpose. I think that my life will have had purpose. I feel like by the time am old I will have accomplished (and continue to accomplish) all that I want to.
