Erikson’s third stage of initiative vs. guilt takes place during the preschool years (between the ages of three to five). Erikson explains that during this time, children “…face new challenges that require active, purposeful, responsible behavior…[and] feelings of guilt may arise…” (Santrock, p. 18). When comparing my personal and cognitive development at the age of four with Erikson’s third stage of development, I can strongly relate to certain aspects, such as feelings of guilt I experienced when displaying bad behavior and finding a sense of power and control as I began to realize that I am my own person and that I had control over myself and the decisions I made. It was during this time, that I also began to learn about what type of person
