The Eight Stages of Man by Erik Erikson

Erikson’s theories have something we can all relate to as it covers a vast area of the development of our life stages. There is no such thing as a typical person or a typical life, but we can all relate to some of Erikson’s life stages theory. We have all gone through our own developmental milestones. Events such as a graduation, marriage, having children, the death of a parent have, or will be a part of our lives. Whether these events are positive or negative, and how we deal with these events will determine our future (Diessner, 2008).

Erikson’s theory covers the 8 stages of man, which as we have discussed might be based only on those with a Y chromosome, and might not be effective for those who do not. However, Erikson discusses the importance of trust,and how babies first successful social test is as simple as allowing the mother out of their sight. Each of the stages in his theory relates to an individuals insecurities is some way or another. Autonomy vs Shame and Doubt relates to the infantile stage where children are beginning to gain muscle strength, and being able to hold onto or let go of something can mean more to them than we think. His theories are again a little overwhelming to me, and I don’t quite understand how they relate to the growth processes, but I understand that is why I am taking this class, and hope by the end of this module, I will have more knowledge (Diessner, 2008).

Erikson’s first stage Basic Trust v. Mistrust, similar to Freud’s oral stage, involves learning to trust other people by means of learning that emotion via maternal nurturing. According to Erickson, children with attentive mothers become secure in the fact that mother will meet all their needs and in turn individuals...

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.... According to Gilligan these perspectives are inherently incorrect as they are developed only thinking of the male role. In fact, the development of women in the lifecycle is one of their own in which they are not waiting for men to “fill the inner space” but processing their own interpersonal relationships throughout with a separate set of strengths and weaknesses (Diessner, 2008).

Within the text Gilligan deduces that women identify themselves with how they obtain relationships and how they nurture such relationships (Diessner, 2008). Women have historically been the caregivers, whether initiated by genetic motivation or societal pressure, this caregiver role has developed as what is desirable of women. In my opinion, these societal pressures have helped to manufacture stress resulting in numerous mental health and addiction issues of the human services world.