Describe why the chosen theory appeals to you, and relate it to a developmental life stage or phase. Examples of life stages or phases may include marriage, parenthood, career, a return to school, empty nest, grand parenting, etc. Keep in mind you will expand on this theoretical application in your reflective paper
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Erikon’s theory of psychosocial development discusses the nine different stages in human development. Each stage is equally important in the developing person. This theory looks at the different social situations people go through and how they affect development from birth through death. …show more content…
“His stages dictate that we must gain certain insights at predetermined times, and those insights build on one another.” (Witt, Mossler, 2010)
After reading each theory, I am in total agreement with Erickson on his beliefs in the Stages of Human Development and the epigenetic principal.
I concur that during each stage we do face a psychosocial crisis or opportunity in relation to conflicting tendencies that each stage is like a turning point which offers growth potential as well as dangers of …show more content…
failing.
Stage 1 TRUST vs MISTRUST
In regards to my grandson, I vividly remember holding him when he was just a few hours old, and thinking of just how trusting babies are of us. Newborns, infants and children trust us to keep them from harm, not to drop them, to hold them when they need comfort, to feed them when they are hungry, to bath them, etc.
STAGE 2: Ages 1 to 3
I have watched my grandson grow and develop self-confidence as he wanders about his home environment. He has grown from a baby, to crawling, to a toddler, and now to a rambunctious 3-year-old that has developed his own personality, likes and dislikes. He likes to feed himself with no assistance from his mother or myself. He becomes defiant when its time to get dressed and he wants to wear something that he likes as opposed to what I have layed out for him to wear. He wants no assistance getting dressed even at the times when two legs both end up in the same pant leg.
STAGE 3: INITIATIVE vs. GUILT
He has gained self-confidence and has the iniative to set his own goals, and I have seen him struggle to obtain those goals.
One instance comes to mind; recently one of his toys was on the kitchen counter and instead of asking me to get it for him, he went and got a chair and wrestled to move it across the kitchen to the counter so he could get his toy off the counter. This was the first time I had ever seen him do this, and I was in awe of his determination to get the task done regardless of how heavy the chair was or how far he had to move it. I coud not believe just how accurate Erikson was in stating the developmental skills of a child at this
age.
GENERATIVITY vs STAGNATION; AGES 25 to 65
As far as relating his theory to a personal life experience, I would have to say that at the age of 52, I recollect on my life when I was about 29 or 30 years old, a particular instance when I gained self satisfaction in regards to obstacles that I overcome in order to accomplish becoming an EMT-A and running squad for a local volunteer fire department, and then becoming one of the first few female firefighters in the county. I remember the pride I felt when in uniform or even in my bunkers, boots, coat and fireman's hat as I would be out with the hoses and spraying down the fire and flames as they engulfed a house or building or sometimes just some aggravating brush fire.. It was also self-satisfying to give back to the community that had given so much to me throughout the years.