Essay on How Erikson’s Eight Stages of Life Apply to My Life

Erik Erikson developed the eight stages of life theory. Erikson’s theory focuses on the development from birth to death, social context, and interpersonal relations during each stage of life (McAdams, 2009). In the same manner, each stage of life is comprehendible in three levels, such as the body, ego, and family and culture. The eight stages of life are infancy (trust vs. mistrust), early childhood (autonomy vs. shame and doubt), childhood (initiative vs. guilt), childhood (industry vs. inferiority), adolescence and young adulthood (identity vs. role confusion), young adulthood (intimacy vs. isolation), mature adulthood (generativity vs. stagnation (or self-absorption)), and old age (ego integrity vs. despair). After reviewing†¦show more content†¦Other forms to be generative are volunteering, charitable contribution, or other endeavors that will generate an individual’s legacy. During this stage a central question is posed, how can I fashion a â€Å"gift†? I believe I have consciously answered the following question. I am aware of every decision I make in my life. I know the outcomes to each decision and how they will affect everyone in my life. To understand how I answered this question I will reflect back to the four types of generativity I have performed. My primary stage of generativity is bearing, giving birth and raising a child. By bearing and giving birth to a child, I have given a gift to my family and friends. Bearing and giving birth to a child is seen as a blessing. By raising my daughter I am also being generative. I am able to pass down important traditions to her. The traditions that I am passing down are gifts to her. In addition, showing her that I love and care for her are gifts as well. Allowing my daughter to discover her own autonomy and freedom is also a gift. On the other hand, I have also volunteered at the hospital in the pediatric unit and I have made charitable contributions. Volunteering and making charitabl e contributions is my way of helping those in need. I want the help I have offered to have an impact on these individuals’ lives. I consider my help to be a gift and I ask for nothing in return. Erikson’s eight stages of life are aShow MoreRelatedErikson s Psychosocial Theory : Development Of Ego Identity1293 Words   |  6 PagesZoi Arvanitidis 05/16/17 ECEE-310 Dr.Alkins Studying Erikson’s Psychosocial theory Erik Erikson was a student of another theorist, Sigmund Freud. Erikson expanded on Freud’s psychosexual theory. Erikson later developed the psychosocial theory. This theory described the effect of one’s social experiences throughout one’s whole lifespan. One of the main elements of Erikson’s psychosocial theory is the development of ego identity. 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