he paper will consist of eight sections (one for each stage) and a works cited page. Each section should be 1 to 3 pages long. Each section begins with the name of that stage. For example, TRUST VS. MISTRUST. Following the heading, include a brief (less than 200 word) explanation of the stage and its conflict/resolution under Eriksons theory. Use proper in-text citation in APA format. This material can be found in your textbook or on the web.
Next, each stage section will contain autobiographical information. Your autobiographical information should reflect on the issues of that stage of life as reflected in Eriksons theory. Be sure to answer the following questions in this section of the autobiography.
What was happening in your life at this stage?
What are your memories?
What stories have you been told?
What life experiences you had?
Who were the primary influences on your development at this stage?
How did they hinder or prompt your development?
To conclude each section, state which side of the conflict best reflects your life experience and explain. Support your explanation with evidence and examples from your experiences. For example, at the end of the first stage if you feel that you were cared for in a timely manner and had your needs met, you ended the stage on the positive side with TRUST if not, then you ended on the MISTRUST side of the conflict.
After all eight stages have been concluded, end the paper with a works cited page detailing, in proper APA format citation style, your sources of information used to write the descriptive paragraph that opened each section (the background information on Eriksons theory).
It is understandable that some stages are more difficult to remember you may have to talk to relatives or look through family photo albums to try to piece together what was happening at the earlier stages. Conversely, there will be several stages that you havent had the chance to experience yet. For these future stages, you get a chance to show your creativity and reflect on where youve been, where you are right now, and where you predict you will be in the future. Continue to write future stages as though they have already occurred. Give complete details of where you see your life taking you, what will be your accomplishments or achievements, failures or regrets?
Please note, this paper is considered to be confidential and will not be shared with others without specific consent. Please use this opportunity to reflect openly and honestly on your journey in life. Many students have found this assignment to be cathartic and have expressed great relief at being able to reveal things to someone else without judgment. If there is information that you do not wish to reveal, then simply omit it. This paper is designed to help you examine your life and to see how it applies to a popular life span development theory. It is not a test to see if you will pour your heart out, nor is it a contest to see who has had the best or worst childhood. Simply write what you where, what you are and what you hope to be. Also, if you did have a happy childhood, please dont feel the need to apologize or to feel your autobiography is boring. Be thankful for where you came from and hopeful for where you have yet to go. If you are unable or uncomfortable revealing your life, please speak with your instructor for alternate assignment options.
For the Erikson stage chart link http://www.psychologycharts.com/erikson-stages-of-development-chart.html
REQUIREMENTS
Autobiography in APA format
Cite your reference sources using APA format.
Use Standard English writing style:
Formal academic/business register (word choice)
Double Spacing
Avoid contractions and abbreviations
Use first-person singular pronoun I statements
Grammar (sentence structure)
Standard writing conventions (spelling, capitalization, punctuation)
