My Life Playlist:

The question of  how and at what points in life human development progresses has been the constant study of   developmental psychologists. As a result,  many different theories have been complied to explain this well pondered question.  Among the various theories of development, psychologist Erik Erikson's Theory of Psychosocial Development stands out from all the rest.  According to Erik Erikson there are 8 stages of  psychological development. These 8 stages are the following:

1. Trust vs. Mistrust ( birth- 1 and a half years)
2. Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt  (1 and a half - 3 years)
3. Initiative vs. Guilt (3-6 years)
4. Industry vs. Inferiority (6-12 years)  
5. Identity vs. Role Confusion (Adolescence)
6. Intimacy vs. Isolation (Early Adulthood)
7. Generativity vs. Stagnation (Middle Adulthood)
8. Ego Integrity vs. Despair (Late Adulthood)

Inspired by Erikson's theory the following 8 songs represent the eight  developmental stages in my personal life.  Although I am still in the process of  passing through these stages, these songs will represent not only what I was but who I wish to develop into. I hope to use Erikson's stages to learn a little bit more about myself.

Stage 1: Trust and Mistrust ( birth- 1 and a half years)


 For this very first stage I chose a song I wrote myself called "Quilt from the Sky." This stage encompasses  the very earliest moments of life. Erikson theorized that if  a baby is given attention by her caregiver when she cries, that baby will develop trust in the world around she and be assured of her caregivers affection. In contrast if a baby is neglected consistently when she is crying, that child  will develop mistrust in the world around her. When I was a small little baby my parents where always there to comfort me, and throughout my life I have always known how much they love me! I chose my own song for this stage because it exemplifies my parents love for me as a little one. They were always their to wrap my in love when I was crying out to them.



Stage 2: Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt (1 and a half - 3 years)


Born Free sung by Andy Williams is the song I chose to represent this stage in my life. This stage of development focuses primarily on the task of  potty training. Erikson believed that either success or repeated failure in potty training had a great effect on a person throughout their life.  When I asked my mom what I was like during this time she said that I was determined,  free, and autonomous.  She said that I was motivated to be potty trained quickly because I wanted  to be a "big girl". I was also able to achieve my goal in a very short amount of time, much to her delight! My mother personally recommended this song to represent this life stage. I personally don't remember much about this time in my life  so I took her word for it!


Stage 3: Initiative vs. Guilt (3-6 years)



I chose "Pick Yourself Up" sung here by Frank Sinatra to demonstrate my life at this stage.  This stage of Development is all about trial and error. At this stage in life children try to do things on their own, and either success of failure follow. Success at this point can lead to taking more initiative and trying more on their own, but failure can lead to feelings of guilt  and discouragement.  I asked my mother about how I acted at this age and  she summed up this stage for me with one challenge in particular that exemplified this part of my life: pouring water from a pitcher. My mother says that I was constantly afraid of spilling the water from the pitcher in one way or another and I became discouraged easily.When  I was living through years 3-6 I was constantly afraid of failing. But Why then did I chose "Pick Yourself Up" to demonstrate this stage? Simple, I chose this song because although I was afraid of failing,  my parents always encouraged  me to do just what this song says: "Pick yourself up. Brush yourself off and start all over again."




Stage 4: Industry vs. Inferiority (6-12 years)  


When it came to choosing a song for this stage of my life "Mr. Lonely" by Bobby Vinton was the first song that popped into my head. This stage is the years of  Pre Adolescence and for most children is focused primarily on school, friends, and discovering talents. At the beginning of this stage in my life I was a perfectly happy little girl. I went to school,  had friends, and enjoyed using my imagination. Right in the middle of this stage at about 9, I started  homeschooling and I moved into a new neighborhood. After I moved we also started attending a new church. I found myself becoming socially awkward and I wasn't able to make friends at my new church. During this time I became very emotional, and I often felt insecure and inferior to others my age. Although I had friends in my neighborhood I still felt Isolated and lonely. I was "mr. lonely" for a good part of this stage! That is why I think the chorus of this song fits the stage I went through during my preadolescence. 


Stage 5: Identity vs. Role Confusion (Adolescence)


For stage five I decided to choose another of my own songs called "Daytime Dreamer". In this stage adolescent teenagers are trying to find their sense of self. Throughout this stage teenagers try out different roles such as: athlete, musician, or nerd. Success in this stage is characterized by a person finding their identity and discovering what career they wish to pursue.  At 17 years old I am currently going through this stage of development. I am currently trying to discover what makes me special and what I want to spend the rest of my life achieving. Why I chose this particular song is because it is a song I wrote talking to myself. Throughout the song I am asking myself questions and in a sense telling myself that I am special and encouraging myself to hang in there through the role confusion I am facing. Also I refer to myself as a "Daytime Dreamer" which is my way of describing a person who has dreams about the future.  I think this song fits this stage for me because I am currently battling with role confusion as well as identifying my dream in life and this is a song that is encouraging me not to hide my dreams of what could be but instead to follow them, finding my identity in the process.


Stage 6:  Intimacy vs. Isolation (Early Adulthood)


 "Wonderful You" yet another song of my own creation is what I chose to represent this stage. Stage six occurs in Early Adulthood and is focused on the development of relationships. Usually it is around this time that people start to think about marriage and are interested in deep relationships in contrast with the shallow relationships of adolescence. The song  I chose is a love song about one especially wonderful person. Whether it be a good friend or a romantic relationship. I have not yet entered this stage of development but I can imagine myself deepening friendships and eventually finding that one wonderful person to spend my life with.


Stage 7: Generativity vs. Stagnation (Middle Adulthood)


Okay, my chose for this stage is a little off the rack but I think it does relate to this stage. Stage 7 occurs during middle adulthood and success through this stage is characterised by feeling that you have made a contribution to life and future generations. Those who are unsuccessful during this stage however, will feel that they have not contributed to society and they will feel that their actions are useless.  Failure in this stage often results from an unresolved identity in adolescence.  Again, I have yet to reach this stage of development but I hope that by middle adulthood I will be successful in finding my purpose and Identity.  With a positive outlook I chose this fun duet between Kermit the Frog and Bret Mackenzie to demonstrate the happiness and fulfillment one feels when they are confident in their achievements and contributions. I hope that I will be singing a happy song while passing through this stage. 


Stage 8: Ego Integrity vs. Despairs (Late Adulthood)



To me, this stage can be expressed perfectly with one song: My Way sung by Frank Sinatra. This stage of life reaches from late adulthood till death. In  this stage people review their lives and attempt to asses their own lives. Naturally people will either look at their lives and be satisfied or they will regret the past. Of course all people have regrets throughout this stage but successful navigation of this stage is acceptance of those regrets and preparation for death. Thinking out this stage in my own life is quite depressing. I feel as if I am just beginning to live, but when I do reach this stage I hope that I will be able to accept my past and move towards my future.  I believe in eternity, and I believe that through Jesus I have a Father waiting for me up in heaven when I go. With these throughts in mind I can face my future with confidence!

My Model of the Brain:

I made a little video 

to document the creation of my unique brain model.

The Life Development of Barbara Calvin:

my grandmother and I. 

My grandmother’s name is Barbara Beaucoudray Calvin.  She was born January 3^rd 1946. As a child my grandmother was healthy, cheerful, and fun-loving.  She loved to learn and her mind held a special spark of creativity.  Throughout her life she has continually maintained and expanded these attributes, always attempting to better herself, always moving forward. Unlike many other people her age, she still considers herself to be constantly improving and gaining new knowledge. She is truly a remarkable woman.  Recently in an attempt to discover how she has developed over her lifetime I interviewed my grandmother.  I conducted my interview based on 3 specific stages of her lifespan development starting with her childhood, moving through adolescence, and on to adulthood.   I asked my grandmother questions about various areas of her life development. My questions pertained to the areas of physical, cognitive, social and emotional development. 

I began the interview of my grandmother by asking about how she has developed physically over the years. Throughout most of her life, my grandmother has enjoyed good health. As a child she suffered from no major illnesses or injuries. It was not till she reached adolescence that she experienced any health concerns. In her later teenage years it was discovered that she had a thyroid problem.  The problem was not severe however, and was kept under control by prescribed medicine. By the age of 21 she had outgrown these problems completely.  As she moved into adulthood my grandmother became even healthier. She was actively working and attending school. In her early twenties my grandmother had her first child (my mother) and her second (my uncle) 6 years later.  Her children kept her active and she attributes much of her good health simply to keeping up with them.  It was not till she became as she put it, a “senior citizen” that her health started to decline.  At around the age of 50 after she had begun menopause, she started to experience blood pressure problems, and a few years later she developed sleep apnea.  To help her continue breathing while asleep she had to sleep every night with a breathing machine. Thankfully her breathing problem improved and she relies on a machine no longer.  She also experienced several common signs of aging such as: Arthritis, weight gain, loss in height, and increased fatigue following physical activities. Despite the changes she has experienced with age, she tries  not to worry about her health. She has learned how to deal with change, and is aging with grace and acceptance.  

After I questioned my grandmother on the physical dimension of her development, we moved on to her cognitive development.  In response to questions about learning, she replied that from a young age she loved to learn.  She started attending school at the age of five years old and she enjoyed it immensely.  Although learning was something she enjoyed, she never thought of herself as especially bright or intelligent. In her words, she considered herself as “average, with a little spark.”  Her special “spark” was indeed her creative mind. Even more than learning, my grandmother adored being creative.  Dancing, art, and singing were the things at which she excelled, and these skills followed her throughout her adolescent and adult life as well.  In high school, when learning became more than just for fun my grandmother started to struggle a little with her schooling. In our interview, she observed that as a teenager she started looking at school with grades and college in mind instead of as an enjoyable outlet.  As she transitioned through emerging adulthood learning became easier to her again and she saw her intelligence expand. She attended college following high school but was unable to finish her degree. She chose instead to marry my grandfather. When she reached the age of 40 however, she encountered a midlife transition period, and ventured back to school to finish her degree. She majored in education and got her certification to be a pre-school teacher.  My grandmother loved her years as a pre-school teacher; this time exemplified her life philosophy to always keep moving forward. As she ages, my grandmother believes that she has become wiser and more intelligent. When asked to define wisdom, my grandmother replied that “wisdom is how to apply what you know to help someone get better, or fill a need. “  Intelligence, she defined as: “knowing where to go and find the information that you need.”  I think these definitions gives wonderful insight into my grandmother’s mind. She feels that in her current state of life she has the knowledge to achieve anything she wants to accomplish. 

My grandmother’s way of thinking is certainly unique, and her way of interacting with others directly reflects this.  Following examination of her cognitive changes, we then transitioned to the psychosocial aspects of her development.  Starting in her very first years alive my grandmother was always social. Growing up she lived in a home with her mother, father, and two younger brothers.  She would go out and play every day riding her bike around the neighborhood. During her childhood she viewed the world using egocentric thought. From her perspective everybody was her friend.  Going to school expanded her world and she thrived in the social environment.  In 7^th grade however, around the age of puberty, she experienced a sudden personality change. She became quiet and reserved acting uncharacteristically at home and at school. Just as suddenly as her personality shifted, it shifted back and in 9^th and 10^th grade she became a social butterfly once again. These sudden personality changes were most likely a result of my grandmother’s search for her true self. A period of figuring out her own strength, weaknesses, and her place in society, in other words discovering her identity.    Throughout her later high school years she thrived in social interaction, and was popular at school.  After high school my grandmother went on to college and took on the new social role of housewife at the young age of 19. Currently, she is a minister’s wife and leader in her community and just as socially active as ever.

Finally, we moved on to her emotional development. My grandmother always has had a cheerful and easy going temperament. She was an outgoing, fun loving child who loved everybody and in turn thought that everybody loved her. She was happiest when singing, laughing and being creative. Her mother was an artist and encouraged her to take on hobbies such as sewing her own clothes, making cards, and painting. She was a compliant easily pleased daughter, and in her family she was the first born.  She paved the way for her younger brothers in every aspect of life. During adolescence however, my grandmother does admit to “rocking the boat” from time to time, but over all she feels that her personality hasn't changed much over the years. When questioned about the strengths of her personality, she replied that her greatest strengths are: being able to see the best in people and encouraging them to develop. When asked about her weaknesses she replied that her greatest weaknesses are: talking too much and laughing at the wrong times. As she gets older she doesn't expect her emotional state to change much in the future.  She feels that as long as long as she is loved she won’t become bitter. My grandmother follows the psychological activity theory of aging, she has kept herself interested and active and she has always been full of life and love. Even now, at age 68, when facing her future she is looking forward with excitement and anticipation.     

Here is an audio recording of our interview: