Many of our character traits are evident at birth. However, other characteristics such as confidence, guilt, and competence are learned based on our life experiences and the support we receive as we grow and develop. Based on his research, Erikson became aware of the influence that maturation and social needs have on behavior and, ultimately, our development. He believed that these two forces “pushed human beings everywhere through… [a series of] eight psychosocial crises” (Sigelman, C. & Rider, E., 2009, p.332). He organized life into eight stages extending from birth to death. Erikson's first psychosocial conflict is trust versus mistrust. This stage begins at birth and continues until about one year of age. The central question that the child resolves at this stage is "Can I trust others?" (Sigelman, C. & Rider, E., 2009, p.332). Erikson (2009) believes that children learn to trust other people if their needs are met by those who care for them. If a caregiver is unresponsive to the child's needs and these are not met, "the balance of trust...will tip in the direction of mistrust" (Sigelman, C. & Rider, E., 2009, p.332). By resolving this problem of trust and mistrust, Erikson believed that children "begin to recognize that they are separate from the caregivers who respond to their needs...[and] begin to distinguish themselves from others" (Sigelman, C. & Rider , E ., 2009, page 332). Research on infant development supports this stage and has shown that babies as young as 2 or 3 months old begin to distinguish themselves from their caregivers. Erikson believed that “for development to proceed optimally, a healthy balance must be achieved between the terms of each combination” (Sigelman, C. & Rider, E., 2009, pg.332). Therefore, it is important for development to have a s......middle of paper......ns…[and to have] a more realistic concept of goals" (Rice &Dolgin 2002). I entered the identity- I reached the stage a few years after I graduated. When I first graduated I was still in the moratorium stage, because I was still trying to find out what career I wanted, I had already come to terms with who I was as a person and had defined mine. ideological identity, yet I still couldn't determine what I wanted from my career. While working in a library, I realized that this is what I wanted to do for the rest of my life and what I want from life. I am aware of the strengths that I personally possess. While I am aware that I have limitations, I know how to work around them and I rely on my strengths to overcome these limitations.