Erikson's theory of psychological development may be proved through my personal experience. Erikson's stages of development can be seen through most individuals.
The first stage Erikson describes is "Trust vs. Mistrust."" The statement present throughout this stage is "I am what I'm given."" This stage lasts usually from birth to 18 months and deals with your needs being met as an infant. If your needs are met, you develop a sense of trust in others and your environment; you become an optimist. If your needs are not met you may experience mistrust, and become negative and assume the worst of others. I think that as an infant, my needs were easily met because now I tend to assume the best of people and I am very gullible.
Erikson's second stage is "Autonomy vs. Doubt."" "I am what I will- is usually the statement associated with this step. At age 18 months to 3 years, you experience autonomy or doubt based on the fact if your parents supported your goals and independence and believed in you. If your parents did not support you, or made you doubt yourself, you may experience doubt. I think I struggled a little bit with this step because though my parents probably supported me throughout this stage, I still have not developed a real sense of independence when it comes to being all alone with no input from others.
"Initiative vs. Guilt- is stage three in Erikson's theory of psychological development and occurs between ages 3 to 6 years. The statement present throughout this stage is "I am what I imagine I will be."" If your parents do not support your imagination and future ambitions, you may experience guilt. If your parents do support you, you feel initiative, or motivation. I feel great motivation in my future goals so I think my parents definitely supported me in this stage.
During age 6 to 12 years, Erikson's stage "Industry vs. Inferiority- comes into play. The statement "I am what I can learn- becomes the defining factor in this stage of development.