Erikson's Eight Stages
Erikson had a theory of human development which has eight stages. The first stage is Mistrust vs. Trust, this stage is from about birth to 18 months of age. The second stage is Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt, this stage is from 18 months to three years. The third stage is Initiative vs. Guilt, this stage is from three to five years old. The fourth stage is Industry vs. Inferiority, this stage is from five to eleven years of age. The fifth stage is Identity vs. Role Confusion, this stage lasts from eleven to eighteen years of age. The sixth stage is Intimacy vs. Isolation, this stage is from eighteen to forty years of age. The seventh stage is Generativity vs. Stagnation, this stage is from forty to sixty-five years of age. The eighth stage is
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Integrity vs. Despair, this stage is from sixty and up. Erikson believed that every person went through these stages. To test Erikson’s theory he sent his assistants to interview people in the last three stages. The interviewers who were able to help write this paper, were promised that their names will be anonymous, for the sake of this paper they will be subject A,B,C.
Subject A is part of the sixth stage from 18 - 40 years of age. This stage is the time where people are supposed to be developing relationships and creating a joint personality with their spouse, or they become isolated and stay away from relationships. The subject was asked a series of questions about who they cared for, what they loved most, if they had done anything worth remembering, and things they wanted most out of life. The subjects’ answers were mostly about their family and future happiness they also stated that a huge win was a thing worth remembering. According to subject As’ answers they are on a positive path therefore by Erikson's’ theory they are developing nicely.
Subject B is part of the seventh stage from 40 - 65 years of age. In this stage people are supposed to be helping others and guiding the next generation, on the negative side, they could become self centered and become a stagnant member of society. People are also trying to find something to do with the extra time they have. The subject was asked questions about how they send most of their time, their goals, advice for someone about to graduate as well as have you done anything worth remembering. Subject B’s answers were about helping others, thinking, reading, being a good person, and for the graduate to have a good plan, set goals , and do a level above what you think you can do. Another question that was asked was would your younger self be proud of who you became and why; they answered with yes, because they completed all my goals and I am proud of my faith. According to Erikson subject B is consequently on a positive and productive path.
Subject C is part of the eight stage from 60 - death.
This is the last stage of development, for this reason people tend to reflect on their lives and either complain about things they didn’t do or reminisce on the amazing life had and welcome death understanding that life if temporary. Given these points the questions asked the subject were related to reminiscing to their life, on how they felt about death, what they would want to be remembered by, new things they had tried for the first time, and things they would go back and change. Subject Cs answers were about happy events and things that made them proud of who the turned out to be. There was only one sad answer that they thought of was a loss of a family member. The question about changing something in their past was answered with furthering my education. According to Erikson’s theory subject C has led a very positive like and has benefited their communities along with the world.
In conclusion Erikson's theory is a good way to help people understand that they are not alone in the world and to help people understand others better. This theory don’t have all the answers but it does help the average person understand more in the long run about people's actions that they would eventually pick up from experience. Erikson has progressed the psychology field
greatly.
Integrity vs. Despair, this stage is from sixty and up. Erikson believed that every person went through these stages. To test Erikson’s theory he sent his assistants to interview people in the last three stages. The interviewers who were able to help write this paper, were promised that their names will be anonymous, for the sake of this paper they will be subject A,B,C.
Subject A is part of the sixth stage from 18 - 40 years of age. This stage is the time where people are supposed to be developing relationships and creating a joint personality with their spouse, or they become isolated and stay away from relationships. The subject was asked a series of questions about who they cared for, what they loved most, if they had done anything worth remembering, and things they wanted most out of life. The subjects’ answers were mostly about their family and future happiness they also stated that a huge win was a thing worth remembering. According to subject As’ answers they are on a positive path therefore by Erikson's’ theory they are developing nicely.
Subject B is part of the seventh stage from 40 - 65 years of age. In this stage people are supposed to be helping others and guiding the next generation, on the negative side, they could become self centered and become a stagnant member of society. People are also trying to find something to do with the extra time they have. The subject was asked questions about how they send most of their time, their goals, advice for someone about to graduate as well as have you done anything worth remembering. Subject B’s answers were about helping others, thinking, reading, being a good person, and for the graduate to have a good plan, set goals , and do a level above what you think you can do. Another question that was asked was would your younger self be proud of who you became and why; they answered with yes, because they completed all my goals and I am proud of my faith. According to Erikson subject B is consequently on a positive and productive path.
Subject C is part of the eight stage from 60 - death.
This is the last stage of development, for this reason people tend to reflect on their lives and either complain about things they didn’t do or reminisce on the amazing life had and welcome death understanding that life if temporary. Given these points the questions asked the subject were related to reminiscing to their life, on how they felt about death, what they would want to be remembered by, new things they had tried for the first time, and things they would go back and change. Subject Cs answers were about happy events and things that made them proud of who the turned out to be. There was only one sad answer that they thought of was a loss of a family member. The question about changing something in their past was answered with furthering my education. According to Erikson’s theory subject C has led a very positive like and has benefited their communities along with the world.
In conclusion Erikson's theory is a good way to help people understand that they are not alone in the world and to help people understand others better. This theory don’t have all the answers but it does help the average person understand more in the long run about people's actions that they would eventually pick up from experience. Erikson has progressed the psychology field
greatly.