Psychosocial Stages of Human Development

The first half of life seems to be driven mostly by ego.  Ego can be perceived as animal instincts necessary for navigating the physical realm as a human animal.  In the emotional aspects it can also be referred to as losing our innocence to ego, or taking on false identities during the various psychosocial stages of development.  There seems to be an inherent timeline for the cycle of human development.

Some of the ways ego shows up may be in conditioned beliefs about what we are supposed to do, to have, and to be.  In the first half of our lives our focus seems to be on outward goals such as acquiring things, status, what success is or isn’t.  Societal urges are usually based on  environmental conditioning of the mind by family, teachers, society, accepted traditions, religious beliefs or even media propaganda.  Combined with animal instincts, it is a constant process of adaptability and expansion in the physical realm.   

The chart below is a well known analysis done by a physiologist named Erik Erikson.  It has helpful information for parents to be aware of what their child is instinctually learning in their stage of development.  If we as parents pay attention to what the child is in the process of learning, we can support them in having a positive experience instead of thinking something is wrong and needs correction.  Though it is necessary to teach a child respect, it is also important to model it for them, not force it upon them.

Stage Basic Conflict Important Events Outcome Infancy (birth to 18 months) Trust vs. Mistrust Feeding Children develop a sense of trust when caregivers provide reliabilty, care, and affection. A lack of this will lead to mistrust. Early Childhood (2 to 3 years) Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt Toilet Training Children need to develop a sense of personal control over physical skills and a sense of independence. Success leads to feelings of autonomy, failure results in feelings of shame and doubt. Preschool (3 to 5 years) Initiative vs. Guilt Exploration Children need to begin asserting control and power over the environment. Success in this stage leads to a sense of purpose. Children who try to exert too much power experience disapproval, resulting in a sense of guilt. School Age (6 to 11 years) Industry vs. Inferiority School Children need to cope with new social and academic demands. Success leads to a sense of competence, while failure results in feelings of inferiority. Adolescence (12 to 18 years) Identity vs. Role Confusion Social Relationships Teens need to develop a sense of self and personal identity. Success leads to an ability to stay true to yourself, while failure leads to role confusion and a weak sense of self. Young Adulthood (19 to 40 years) Intimacy vs. Isolation Relationships Young adults need to form intimate, loving relationships with other people. Success leads to strong relationships, while failure results in loneliness and isolation. Middle Adulthood (40 to 65 years) Generativity vs. Stagnation Work and Parenthood Adults need to create or nurture things that will outlast them, often by having children or creating a positive change that benefits other people. Success leads to feelings of usefulness and accomplishment, while failure results in shallow involvement in the world. Maturity(65 to death) Ego Integrity vs. Despair Reflection on Life Older adults need to look back on life and feel a sense of fulfillment. Success at this stage leads to feelings of wisdom, while failure results in regret, bitterness, and despair.

I have to wonder, if the animal kingdom were keenly observed, if we would see these same stages manifest.  Is it true that the only difference between mankind and "lower" animal is what some refer to as God consciousness?  Scientists call it the ability to reason, but I think it goes further than that.

Stay with me for a version of the Adam and Eve story that opened my eyes to consider that the so called "original sin" was a definite intention of Creator.