Erik Erikson

Tiffany Martin

ECE 112 S 9am

Feb. 28, 2008

Erik Erikson

Erik Erikson

Erik Erikson believes that in every step of life a child goes through crisis stages. The first crisis stage happens as an infant. During this stage the crisis to be solved is trust or mistrust. For example, if the infant is not cleaned, feed, or isn't being shown enough love it may develop mistrust. This is the same for trust. If the infant is feed, cleaned, nurtured, and loved it will develop trust. This first stage is very important because if the infant doesn't trust it will become fearful and suspicious.

The second stage of crisis begins when the child is a toddler. This crisis stage is called autonomy vs. shame and doubt. During this stage the child having developed trust as an infant will want to do things by themselves as toddlers. If the child developed mistrust as an infant than during the second crisis stage they will doubt their abilities to do things independently. This stage is very critical in a child's life.

The third crisis stage takes place during the child's preschool years. This stage of crisis is called initiative vs. guilt. During this stage the child is more independent. This stage requires you to encourage the child to do more things on their own. Also during this stage the child begins to realize what is right and what is wrong.

Looking through Erik's research I could use his beliefs when taking care of a baby I could feed, clean, love, and provide him/her with the attention that it will need to develop trust.