ERIKSON'S 8 STAGES

TRUST VS. MISTRUST

• Song: A Matter of Trust by Billy Joel
• www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/billyjoel/amatteroftrust.html
• This song is about both trust and mistrust. Two people are trying to start a relationship
• but one person struggles with mistrust. She must learn to trust that the relationship and love will last.
• "It took a lot for you to not lose your faith in this world. I can't offer you proof but you're going to face a moment of truth"

AUTONOMY VS. SHAME & DOUBT

• Song: Greatest Love of All by Whitney Houston
• www.azlyrics/lyrics/whitneyhouston/greatestloveofall.html
• This song is about autonomy because it refers to children taking the lead down the road.
• "I believe the children are our future. Teach them well and let them lead the way.
• Show them all the beauty they possess inside. Give them a sense of pride."

INITIATIVE VS. GUILT

• Song: Perfect by Simple Plan
• www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/simpleplan/perfect.html
• This song is about the guilt of a child who feels they can't live up to their parent's
• standards. As a result, the child feels hopeless.
• "I just wanna make you proud. I'm never gonna be good enough for you."

COMPETENCY VS. INFERIORITY

• Song: I Believe I Can Fly by R. Kelly
• www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/rkelly/ibelieveicanfly.html
• This song is about generativity. In this song, the person feels confident in being
• able to carry out tasks well. They have a feeling of pride and invincibility.
• "If I just believe it, there's nothing to it. I believe I can fly."

IDENTITY VS. ROLE CONFUSION

• Song: Reflection by Christina Aguilera
• www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/christinaaguilera/reflection.html
• This song is about role confusion. This song speaks to people who are trying to find
• themselves in the midst of people trying to tell them who to be.
• "Who is that girl I see, staring straight back at me? When will my reflection show who I am inside?"

INTIMACY VS. ISOLATION

• Song: Thinking out Loud by Ed Sheeran
• www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/edsheeran/thinkingoutloud.html
• This song is about intimacy. The story portrayed is one of two people who believe
• that they have found an everlasting love. They have formed a physical and emotional intimacy.
• "I'm thinking out loud that maybe we found love right where we are."

GENERATIVITY VS. STAGNATION

• Song: 100 Years by Five For Fighting
• www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/fiveforfighting/100years.html
• This song is about stagnation. As the years go by, people begin to realize what little
• time we have to live. As we age, there is a sense of urgency to do something to contribute.
• "I'm 45 for a moment. The sea is high and I'm heading into a crisis. Chasing the years of my life."

INTEGRITY VS. DESPAIR

• Song: I Lived by OneRepublic
• www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/onerepublic/ilived.html
• This song is about integrity. The person in this song has no regrets and feels they
• have done everything they possibly could in the time they have had.
• "I, I did it all. I owned every second that that this world could give. I saw so many places, the things that i did."