According to Erickson's theory, a person's life consists of eight distinct stages. Each stage is characterized by a psychological crisis and transitions in important relationships. Erickson states that personlity is shaped by how individuals deal with these transitions and crisis'. Each crisis is a turning point that can shape different outcomes. He describes each of the eight stages in the possible outcomes, which would represent different personality traits that would be displayed from someone over the remainder of their lives. The first four of the eight stages are childhood stages and the rest are stages within adulthood.
             Erickson's first stage deals with trust and is based on the first year of a child's life. In this first year, infants completely rely on adults for their basic needs, food, clothing, and shelter. According to Erickson, if these needs are met then the child will become trusting and optimistic. However, if these needs are neglected, the infant will most likely grow up with a more distrusting, inecure personality. Although I can definately see where Erickson is coming from, and it does make perfect sense, I do not totally agree, because I know as an infant my needs were always met, however, it takes a lo for me to put trust in any gven individual.
             Erickson's second stage deals with autonomy versus doubt, and takes place during the second and third years of a child's life, while parents begin toilet training and add regulations to their child. Most of the time the child must begin taking responsibility for atleast feeding, dressing, and bathing themselves. If all goes well, he or she would most likely obtain a sense of self-sufficiency. However, if the parents show dissatisfaction in their childs efforts, the child will most likely develop a sense of self-doubt. I agree with this because my prents never trusted me to do these things myself, and now I have a
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