Analyzing Erikson's Psychosocial Stages Of Development

Erik Erikson’s Psychosocial Stages of Development consist of eight stages we encounter as we develop and grow. After successfully resolving an emotional crisis within a stage, we then proceed to the next one. Erikson believed that human development covers the entire lifespan, rather than ending during adolescence. If we are unable to resolve the crisis during any one stage, either due to a personal or environmental factor, it would prohibit us from moving on.
Section 1 - Infancy (Trust vs. Mistrust)
During Erikson’s first stage, which is defined as the Trust vs. Mistrust stage and occurs in infancy, a child develops the “belief that the environment can be counted on to meet his or her basic physiological and social needs” (Sougstad, 2018).

Babies who are not held for the first few months of their life, due to being in the NICU or having a complex birth condition, may be unable to become attached to their caregiver. Their parent may have to go back to work so they are stuck in a hospital bed for most of the day, which may cause them to lack an emotional attachment to their parent and be wary of others. “Infants are born with a desire to participate in human interaction” (Johnson, 2013). When they are not able to bond with their caregiver, either due to illness or lack of maternal attachment, it can have long-term consequences. Babies do not understand when someone is unable to pick them up when they cry or feed them. They just know that they want their needs met and if this does not happen, they develop

“Living in poverty exacts a heavy toll on children” (Brooks-Gunn & Duncan, 1997). Children who live in poverty may encounter many stressors, such as issues around housing and a lack of nutritious food provided. These stressors permeate the entire quality of life for a family and make it challenging for a child to feel safe. The primary caregiver relationship is the most important relationship a young child has. When a child lacks availability of a parent, due to the parent having to work multiple jobs or maybe having a mental health issue, it causes the child to become stressed. This stress interferes with the child’s ability to gain independence and can also interfere with what opportunities a child is