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Trust vs Mistrust:
Martin Luther King Jr. was born in Atlanta, Georgia, into a supportive and loving family. His parents provided a nurturing environment, which helped him develop trust and security during his early years. The first state, trust vs mistrust, occurs from birth to about 18 months. Infants learn whether they can trust the world to meet their needs. Positive experience with caregivers lead to trust, while neglect can foster mistrust and insecurity. -
Autonomy vs Shame and Doubt At the age of five, King began to express himself more and sought independence by engaging in activities like playing outside and making decisions about his games. His parents encouraged this independence, helping him build confidence in his abilities. The second stage occurs between ages 18 months and 3 years. Children start to explore their independence. Successful experiences lead to autonomy, while failure or critical responses can instill shame and doubt.
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Identity vs. Role Confusion
At the age of 15, King graduated high school and enrolled in Morehouse College. During this time, he began to explore his identity engaging with ideas of social justice and civil rights which helped shaped his future role as a leader. The fifth state occurs during adolescence, roughly between ages 12 and 18. Individuals explore different identities and roles. Successfully navigating this stage results in a strong sense of self while confusion can lead to uncertainty