Psy_230_Erikson's_Timeline

Jennifer Killough January 8, 2011 Erikson’s Timeline Erik Homburger Erikson came up with a theory of psychosocial development. In his theory, there are eight stages. These stages include infancy, early childhood, childhood (play age), childhood (school age), adolescence and young adulthood, young adulthood, mature adulthood, and old age. Erik uses great detail to explain how he believes each stage is gone through. He explains what age the stages might be experienced and what might be experienced during each stage. After reading each of Erikson’s stages of psychosocial development, I believe I am in the mature adulthood stage of development even though I’m only 29 years old. The psychosocial issue during this stage is generativity vs. stagnation. According to Kendra Cherry, in this stage the mature adult needs to create or nurture things that will outlast them, often by having children or creating a positive change that benefits other people. I believe I have been in this stage for awhile now. About eight years ago, I felt the need to have and raise children. Since then, I have had three. I have also made the motto “do unto others as you would have them do unto you” a big part of my life. I have become a very giving, caring person that wishes to do as much good for others as I possibly can. The main question during this stage is “how can I fashion a gift'” The gift I have fashioned is life and goodness. I always hope that my gift of goodness will have a positive effect on others. A friend that I grew up with that is the same age as me is in a different stage. She is in the young adulthood stage. “According to Erikson, the young adult stage involves the personal need for intimacy and sex. Failure to achieve this need results in isolation, which is avoided, and as a result the young adult strives for love and compassion. The young adult learns that love and compassion may get him what he wants” (Young adult, 2010). The central question at this stage is “how can I love'” I believe she is answering this question by trying to find the right man for herself. She has dated many, and has even been engaged, but none have been what she is looking for. She is determined to find the right one because she wants to start a family. What I have learned is each stage builds itself up for the next stage. I have also learned that the age at which each change happens does not so much matter because each person matures at different levels. I believe Erikson’s stages are a good way of understanding psychosocial development. Works Cited Kendra Cherry.(2005) About.com. Retrieved 01-09-11. http://psychology.about.com/library/bl_psychosocial_summary.htm. Young adult (psychology). (2010, December 15). In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved 01-09-11. http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php'title=Young_adult_(psychology)&oldid=402510130