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According to Erikson’s theory, it was mentioned that humans experience developmental changes throughout an entire lifespan (Erikson, 1950). Erikson believed that there are a total of eight stages of human development and that each of these stages compromises of a psychological crisis that has to be resolved. This crisis is suggested to be beneficial to humans as it enhances developmental learning and helps to reveal the potential in every individual (Erikson, 1950). The level of success attained at the different stages; which is dependant on how well the previous stage was successfully overcome, will determine the competence and qualities in the psychosocial development of a person’s life (Erikson, 1950). Erikson’s psychosocial theory on the eight stages of human development was inspired by Sigmund Freud sexual theory of psychosexual stages. This was when Erikson became aware that the psychological mind, cultural influences and the genetic biological programming of the human body also played an important role in the contribution towards the course of human development (Erikson, 1950). Hence, Erikson’s only disagreement with Freud’s theory apart from the id, ego and superego was a belief that personality development cannot be based solely on sexuality and that it could also occur throughout the whole of one’s life cycle.

Erikson’s first psychosocial stage starts from when an infant starts to experience the very first year of life on Earth; this stage which corresponds to Freud’s oral stage is Erikson’s social interaction theory of two direct opposites emerging as Trust versus Mistrust (Erikson, 1950). The level of trust that can be built between an infant and the world depends on the quality of care received from the people and comfort of the surroundings. Infants whose basic need for food, love, care and concern are fulfilled together with parental interactions of talking, playing and learning would generally develop a sense of security of the...