My Life According to Erik Erikson Essay

Allow me to relay to everyone the stages I went through in my life based on â€Å"Erik Erikson’s Developmental Theory† (Newman, 2009, pp. 16 – 40). Here, I will mention the developmental milestones and successes that I experienced: The first stage is known as â€Å"Infancy† which begins from â€Å"birth to eighteen months† wherein according to Erik Erikson, is the stage where an individual’s crisis will be on â€Å"trust vs. mistrust† (Wagner, 2009, p. 1). During this stage, I believe I have succeeded and learned to trust because of the person who constantly took care of me (Newman, 2009, pp. 16 – 40). My mother, for sure, has always been there for me: providing me with all the essential things I need like food, water, milk, clothing, shelter, etcetera; making sure that I am free from harm & diseases; and ensuring that she is there no matter what happens (Newman, 2009, pp. 16 – 40). Through instincts, this made me realize that I will be okay and that the world or environment is a safe one, thus, I learned to trust (Newman, 2009, pp. 16 – 40). The second stage which is technically referred to as â€Å"early childhood† covers â€Å"eighteen months to three years† (Newman, 2009, pp. 16 – 40). The crisis that an individual is faced with during this stage is known as â€Å"autonomy vs. shame† (Newman, 2009, pp. 16 – 40). Here, I have to â€Å"defecate† alone; my mommy no longer has to buy diapers for me because I can already tell her when I need to â€Å"defecate† (Newman, 2009, pp. 16 – 40). Learning this task made me realize that I already have self-control and since I am already courageous enough to defecate alone, I have also conquered â€Å"shame†; I know I am already capable of doing something and that boosted my self-esteem thus I achieved â€Å"autonomy† instead of â€Å"shame† (or being ashamed) (Newman, 2009, pp. 16 – 40). The third stage is from â€Å"three to five years† or the â€Å"play age† wherein a person’s â€Å"ego development outcome† would either be â€Å"initiative† or â€Å"guilt† (Newman, 2009, pp. 16 – 40). Here, I have imagined that â€Å"Barney, Baby Bop, and BJ† would come along and play with me; I have learned so many things with them including some of the big â€Å"Why† questions I had (Newman, 2009, pp. 16 – 40). Through role playing, I have also learned that there are some who are not like me; there are boys and there are also girls (Newman, 2009, pp. 16 – 40). I have somehow realized that one is made for a purpose, for instance boys are supposed to act like this while girls, the other way around (Newman, 2009, pp. 16 – 40). Such role playing made me take the initiative to carry out my â€Å"natural desires† which is why I have conquered â€Å"unnecessary† guilt (Newman, 2009, pp. 16 – 40). The fourth stage is the â€Å"school age† which is from â€Å"six to twelve years old† (Newman, 2009, pp. 16 – 40). Here, one has to develop the strengths known as â€Å"method and competence† because the crisis that an individual faces during this stage is â€Å"industry vs. inferiority† (Newman, 2009, pp. 16 – 40). During this stage, I have learned that I can no longer just go to my parents when I have dilemmas; I have to find a way and be â€Å"competent† in order for my peers not to make me feel â€Å"inferior† (Newman, 2009, pp. 16 – 40). I developed a sense of industry during this phase because I kept on learning and I was always willing to do anything just to learn/acquire new skills which was one of the reasons why I always have excellent grades, thus I have conquered â€Å"inferiority† early on (Newman, 2009, pp. 16 – 40). The fifth stage is known as â€Å"adolescence† (Newman, 2009, pp. 16 – 40). I have acquired the strengths known as â€Å"devotion and fidelity† during my adolescent years (12 – 18 years), that’s why I have managed to go through the crisis â€Å"identity vs. role confusion† with ease (Newman, 2009, pp. 16 – 40). Friends played a large role in this stage of my life since I discovered who I am as an individual through my interactions with them; I came to know what makes me weak, as well as, what I can do to pick myself up etcetera. I have been successful in discovering my identity, thus, I did not experience â€Å"role confusion† (Newman, 2009, pp. 16 – 40). The sixth stage is from 18 to 35 years old which is technically referred to as â€Å"young adulthood† wherein the dilemma one has to face is â€Å"intimacy and solidarity vs. isolation† (Newman, 2009, pp. 16 – 40). Fortunately, I have experienced love already; it has been a â€Å"reciprocally fulfilling† one which is why I have not felt â€Å"isolation† (Newman, 2009, pp. 16 – 40). The seventh and eighth stages are phases wherein the crises to be faced are generativity vs. stagnation and integrity vs. despair, respectively (Syque, 2009, n.p.). I would gladly relay my experiences on this to everyone; however, I have not yet reached these stages.