8 Stages of Psychosocial Dilemmas Essay Example

of the child’s development. Take for example my own life as a baby I was told by my family that they show me all the love and tenderness during my first year.

I was able to be humble and trustworthy with my aunts, uncles, older siblings, and the rest of my family. Successfully developed trust, being able to feel safe and secure in the world. In Stage two of Erikson’s psychosocial development years 1-3 it consists autonomy versus shame and doubt. The second stage of Erikson's theory of psychosocial development takes place during early childhood and is focused on children developing a greater sense of personal control. The child is exploring the world by climbing, jumping, touching, observing, exploring, trying to discover himself/herself.

Children who seem to be able to accomplish have a sense of success, while those who do not are left with a sense of inadequacy and self-doubt. In my own life while growing up I was given encouragement to express myself. The opportunity to be a kid without barriers to express myself, being able to express my thoughts through touching, observing, jumping on my mother’s couch. I remember a story that my brother told me one time. That we were sitting in the living room when I was around three I believe; I jumped from the couch to a couple of seat cushions. My brother had laid on the floor and under his supervision I jumped.

During stage three of Erikson’s psychosocial development three to five years is consider the initiative versus guilt. The child during this stage begins to assert their power and control over the world through directing play and other social interaction.

Through playing the child begins to take initiative learns to make plans and carry out tasks. Caregivers who are discouraging or dismissive may cause children to feel ashamed of themselves and the child might become overly dependent upon the help of others. In my opinion I see this to very real as parents seem very overprotective with their children.

They seem to shelter the child to much a close example in my life would be one of my cousins. Her son Christopher seems to want attention and the opportunity to give him freedom and encouragement to play. Industry versus inferiority is the fourth stage of Erik Erikson's psychosocial development. During the industry versus inferiority occurs between the ages of six to 12 years old. Social aspects and interaction with teachers’ and other students start to play a role in the child’s development. Through social interactions, children begin to develop a sense of pride in their accomplishments and abilities.

During the industry versus inferiority the children begin to perform complex task and upon completion the child feels empowered and a sense of accomplishment which gives him confidence to try even more grueling intricate tasks. While on the contrary if a child is unable to receive encouragement from their parents, teachers, and peers they feel a sense doubt about there success. An example of stage four close to my life is my little cousin Marcos. The little dude is amazingly smart due to the fact he is encouraged by his parents and his peers. He is sincerely able to take on new tasks and be a leader in his own mind.

Every task that Marcos is able to accomplish begins

by his parents’ push him to strive for success and he tackles all his task head on. During the fifth stage of Erikson’s psychosocial development it is considered the adolescence identity versus role confusion occurs. Teens need to develop a sense of self- discovery and personal identity. The teen usual does this by aligning yourself with other peers with similar interested either in music, hobbies, or other activities. As they make the transition from childhood to adulthood, teens may begin to feel confused or insecure about themselves and how they fit in to society.

I found this to be true while growing up and going through my adolescent years I found it difficult to fit in and find where I truly belonged. So I associated myself with the jocks and individuals on the football players in middle school. I wanted to feel a sense of belonging; to be accepted in society. At this stage teens want to feel like there needed a sense of proper encouragement and reinforcement. Like they belong to a certain group of individuals and peers, they don’t want to be labeled as losers or nerds. Intimacy versus isolation is the sixth stage of Erik Erikson's theory of psychosocial development.

During the sixth stage you have normally developed an identity by now it might not be the one you wanted but it’s your identity. During the phase of this stage the conflict lies in establishing intimate and loving relationship with other individuals. Erikson believed it was vital that people develop close, committed relationships with other people. Success leads to strong relationships, while failure results in loneliness and isolation. This stage is what I’m currently

undergoing trying to find intimacy in the right girl to be able to develop a serious relationship to the point of having the opportunity to take it to the next level.

Being able to be given the chance to have my own family with my wife and kids has been a dream of mine for quite sometime. Being able to share that close intimacy with another individual is fond to the success of my life. Being alone gives you that sense of emptiness, loneliness, like a gap is missing in your heart. In stage seven of Erikson’s psychosocial development it’s considered to happen during the middle adulthood and deals with generativity versus stagnation.

During this time, adults strive to create or nurture things that will outlast them; often by having children or contributing to positive changes that benefits other people. Their intimate relationship have already been establish the adults going through this stage are just reinforcing the norms and morals they have emplaced upon there children and grandchildren if they have any. Contributing to the development of future generations is what’s most important to these individuals helping establish a foundation for future generation after they are gone.

To get to the point generativity means making a difference or influencing morality on a group or just an individual. While stagnation is the recentness of not having done anything to help someone out or not contributing to the development of an individual. Perfect example is my mother passing on her morals and beliefs on to me. Raising me to her standards as well as the standards of society; being polite, caring, fighting for what I believe in. The final stage

in Erikson’s psychosocial development is late adulthood which coexist with integrity versus despair.

In this stage of the development people come to a reflection period to look back upon their life. The individual reflect on the accomplishment and failures they had during there lifetime. People either come to a conclusion that there was a sense of gratification in there life or there life was a regret. They feel as though they didn’t get to accomplish anything throughout life and there life was a huge waste of time. On the other hand the individual could reflect on their life and feel as though a sense of triumph has been left behind. A close example of this would be my grandmother who is 86 years old.

By speaking with her I have learned that she is truly satisfied with her life with a sense of gratification that she has accomplish what she has wanted. When I asked her the question why she felt that way; she responded by saying she emplaced her morals and beliefs upon her children and those exact same morale’s where past on from generation to generations. She has seen the growth of her children as well of those of her grandchildren and great grandchildren. Seeing the delight of her spending time with each of us and learning from her mistakes have brought satisfaction and a belief of closure.

So in conclusion Erikson’s eight stages of development from newborn to late adulthood plays a vital role in the upbringing of a child. With the right nurturing and loving care a child has the potential to have a meaningful life. In each stage, Erikson believed people experience a

conflict that serves as a turning point in development. In Erikson’s view, these conflicts are centered on either developing a psychological quality or failing to develop that quality. During these times, the potential for personal growth is high, but so is the potential for failure.