Trust

• Erikson suggested that throughout the first two years of life, a child must develop trust, security and basic optimism. According to Erikson's theory, this optimism is instilled in the child if it is well-handled, nurtured and loved. Erikson argues that if a child is poorly handled, he becomes mistrustful and insecure.
  
  

Will

• Between the age of 18 months and 4 years of age, Erikson's theory suggests that, the well-parented child emerges from the second stage of its development with a newfound sense of control and autonomy. The well-parented child feels proud and independent whereas, for Erikson, the poorly parented child feels shame and dependence. That is not to say that the well-parented child is well-behaved. Their newfound independence can lead to tantrums, stubbornness and negativity. This is a healthy part of the child's development.
  
  

Purpose

• Erikson's third stage of psychosocial development occurs between ages 3 and 5. During this period, the healthy, well-parented child learns to broaden his skills using imagination and fantasies, cooperate with others, and both lead and follow. The unhealthy, poorly-parented child, however, is immobilized by guilt, fearful, stays at the edge of groups, and is overly dependent on adults and restricted in the development of imagination and play skills.
  
  

Competence

• Erikson's fourth developmental stage takes place from school age through their early teens. In this stage, he points out that the child, if healthy, learns to develop the formal skills of life. He learns to relate to peers, play more elaborately structured games that involve teamwork, begins to master social interaction and his self-discipline increases. Erikson suggests that the child who was successful in his earlier developmental stages is trusting, autonomous and full of initiative and thus easily learns to become industrious. However, the poorly-developed child doubts the future, is filled with guilt and shame, and experiences defeat and inferiority.
  
  

Criticism

• Erikson's theory has been criticized for being too rigid and not making room for an individual to change throughout life. Critics of Erikson argue that, throughout their childhood and adulthood, a dysfunctional individual has the power and autonomy to come to a healthier understanding of their lives. These critics suggest that Erikson's theory is too dogmatic and puts too much weight on the influence of the parents and not enough on individual experience and autonomy. Other critics suggest that the psychosocial developments outlined occur at much earlier ages than those suggested by Erikson's theory.