Stages of Erik Erikson's Human Development Cycle

For stage one of the human developmental cycle as outlined by Erikson, I agree with the general concept and idea being presented. When we are born into the world, we have no motor skills and have no means of communication. At this stage, we are feeble and frail, thus we must trust in a nurturing figure to provide us with all the essentials for life. These are the years through which the greatest physical and mental developments take place, in the respect of growing muscles and comprehending our existence as well as our developing consciousness. Infancy is the foundation of our future relationships with other humans as well as our ability to confide in others in times of helplessness and desperation. This stage in our life also provides us with a basis for having a good relationship with our parents and being able to depend on them in the future. This stage is extremely crucial in our development, for it is the stage where an infant is provided with the nourishment and very basic understanding of our surroundings, it is the stage that will determine whether or not we will grow to be healthy or malnourished. These are the years where the infant must learn to cope with life outside of the mother?s womb and must cope with the dangers of an unknown world and reasons for being in existence. Without proper development at this stage, an infant can develop many mental as well as physical problems in the future.

For stage two of the human developmental cycle, I do not completely agree with Erikson?s reasoning. I do not believe that from the ages of one and two, a child begins develop the presence of shame and independence. During these stages in the life of a toddler, the infancy stage usually overlaps onto these years of life. The tod...

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...oward justice and has come to be wise beyond the years of a young adult, this is part of stage six, where the profession and your work becomes part of your life and providing for whether a family or others becomes the main objective.

Jaques sixth stage is most closely related to Erikson?s eighth stage, where age has caused one to be wise and immeasurable in dignity and pride. However, this stage is also part of Erikson?s seventh stage where the adult feels the need to provide and to have children. Jaques last stage is almost completely related to Erikson?s eighth stage, because it describes the final years before death awaits. It is the time where our mind and body have returned to the beginning of the cycle, in which we must be taken care of again and finally we must accept death, which await, whether with a fulfillment of life, or guilt burdening the conscious.