Life Span Development

In chapter 8 of Contemporary Human Behavior Theory by Robins, the main topic of discussion was on theories of life span development. The theories of life span development describe process of individual growth and development over the life cycle, delineate stages of development that corresponds to specific age periods, focuses on the individual’s mastery of skills and tasks, and are useful in formulating assessment and intervention plans for individuals, families, and small groups (Robbins, 2012, pg. 201). In life span theories the life cycle is divided into age related stages according to Santrock’s developmental periods. These stages are prenatal, infancy, early childhood, middle and late childhood, adolescence, early adulthood, middle adulthood, and

The resolution of each crises results with a strength gained by the individual. The 8 stages are Trust vs. Mistrust, Autonomy vs. Shame & Doubt, Initiative vs. Guilt, Industry vs. Inferiority, Identity vs. Role Confusion, Intimacy vs. Isolation, Generativity vs. Stagnation, and Integrity vs. Despair (Robbins, 2012, 214 - 216). I felt it would be pretty interesting to analyze myself in one of Erickson’s psychosocial stages of development. I decided to analyze myself in the first stage of Trust vs. Mistrust. I have a twin brother, Carlos Castellano, so you can imagine growing up was quite different for my brother and me. Even with the fact of their being two of us we got treated equally and fairly for the most part. I’ve heard from older relatives that we were very trusting babies. I also learned that between my twin brother and me, I was the most outgoing and the one that trusted more easily. I was also told that I had a huge attachment to my mom. Both my family and parents provided me with the nourishment, care, and love that a new born baby requires. After taking a closer look at myself during this early stage I can fairly say that I was successful in passing Erikson’s first psychosocial stage of