Erik Erikson presented eight stages of human development, which last throughout life. At every stage of development, every developmental task represents a catastrophe for the individual. Erikson defined disaster as “a turning point of heightened vulnerability and increased potential” (Santrock 73). Each of Erikson's stages of development is presented in such a way that the negative and positive aspects are clearly defined. Although there are eight stages of development, five relate to a child's development. The first stage, which occurs during the first year of life, is referred to as the conflict between trust and distrust. Trust develops when the caregiver cares for the child, which provides the child with a sense of comfort. When a child receives positive care, they will then trust their caregiver, which will ensure beneficial development. However, when a child does not receive positive care, distrust develops. When a child reaches the age of one to three years, the stage he goes through is that of autonomy against shame and doubt. When a child or infant gains trust in their caregiver, they realize that their behavior is their own (cccc73). At this stage, infants discover and learn new concepts and tasks daily. Because learning and independence are important at this age, parental restraint can hinder development and cause the child to feel ashamed or doubtful. As a child enters their preschool years, Erikson's third stage becomes present, that of initiative versus guilt. During this stage, children develop socially and “must exhibit active, purposeful behavior that involves initiative” (Santrock 74). With a larger social world comes greater responsibility, especially for behavior... middle of paper ... issues with independence and self-control. Children raised in a neglectful environment are not motivated to succeed and therefore may suffer academically. Indulgent parenting is the final type of parenting, in which parents are extremely involved in a child's life but few limitations are put in place. Due to very few limitations and high parental involvement, a child is more likely to be creative and independent, but suffers socially and lacks the ability to maintain self-control (78). Commonly used types of parenting greatly influence students in positive ways. and negative ways. Every parenting style has its drawbacks, but a happy balance of involvement and control leads to a socially competent and well-rounded child. Works Cited Santrock, John W. Life-span Development. Twelve ed. Boston, MA: McGraw-Hill Higher Education, 2009. Print.