Erik Erikson: psychosocial theory

By: Tashia Tackett

Erikson’s Theory of personality dev.

• Each stage has a particular challenge or turning point, called crisis.

• According to Erikson, how people meet each crisis affects how their personalities grow.

Erikson’s 8 stages of development.

• Stage 1: (Trust versus mistrust) Birth to age one. During the first stages of life children need to feel secure and be loved which gains trust. Mistrust is gained when the child is not loved or for ex. A baby sitter comes over and watches baby Devan, she leaves him in his playpen the whole time and when he cries she ignores him. This action gains mistrust

Erikson’s 8 stages of development. Cont.

Stage 2: (Autonomy and Doubt) Ages 2 to 3. Autonomy means free will, so in stage 2 a child should see themselves as separate individuals. They try to control more about themselves. Children who are allowed the freedom to explore within limits seek and learn self confidence. The children not given this privilege become discouraged and may become to feel worthless about themselves.

Erikson’s 8 stages of development. Cont.

• Stage 3: (initiative and guilt) Ages 3 to 5.Children at this point are full of energy and imagination and initiative. They start to master peer relationships and also language. Children who are not encouraged to participate may feel guilty, and cling to adults and fail to develop the skills they need and to play with other children.

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• Stage 4: (industry and inferiority) Ages 6 to 11. Industry means to work hard and have sense of accomplishment from work. In this exact stage children learn that work is worthwhile. While developing self-discipline and talents and learning to work with others. People who don’t work well with others and don’t have the chance to work on projects may feel the sense of failure. Leading to the feeling of inferiority

Erikson’s 8 stages of development. Cont.

Erikson’s 8 stages of development. Cont.

• Stage 5: (Identity and Identify Confusion.) Ages 12 to 18.This is the challenge of the teen years and how they find their true self. They hang out with certain groups trying to be like them to see if they fit in… if they don’t, they move to a different group. They try to find out who they are by following in other peoples footsteps. Those who aren't able to build and sense in themselves suffer identity confusion. They go through life not knowing who they are.

Erikson’s 8 stages of development. Cont.

• Stage 6: ( Intimacy and isolation) ages 19 to 35. In this stage people turn toward others, working to build intimacy based on mutual caring. For the most this stage involves marriage and parenthood. Those who don’t build intimate relationships feel isolated and lonely.

Erikson’s 8 stages of development. Cont.

• Stage 7: ( Generativity and stagnation) Ages 35 to 50. Generativity involves taking care of others and contributing something lasting to the world. This is the challenge of the middle years of life. Raising children. Being unable to contribute in these ways can bring boredom, and restlessness.

Erikson’s 8 stages of development. Cont.

• Stage 8: ( integrity and despair) Ages 50 and up. Being able to look back on life with contentment and few regrets is the main task of stage 8. Integrity involves having a good perspective on life in ones final years. People that struggle in life without feeling a part of it may end facing death in despair.

• Stage Basic Conflict Important Events Outcome Infancy (birth to 18 months) Trust vs. Mistrust Feeding Children develop a sense of trust when caregivers provide reliabilty, care, and affection. A lack of this will lead to mistrust. Early Childhood (2 to 3 years) Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt Toilet Training Children need to develop a sense of personal control over physical skills and a sense of independence. Success leads to feelings of autonomy, failure results in feelings of shame and doubt. Preschool (3 to 5 years) Initiative vs. Guilt Exploration Children need to begin asserting control and power over the environment. Success in this stage leads to a sense of purpose. Children who try to exert too much power experience disapproval, resulting in a sense of guilt. School Age (6 to 11 years) Industry vs. Inferiority School Children need to cope with new social and academic demands. Success leads to a sense of competence, while failure results in feelings of inferiority. Adolescence (12 to 18 years) Identity vs. Role Confusion Social Relationships Teens need to develop a sense of self and personal identity. Success leads to an ability to stay true to yourself, while failure leads to role confusion and a weak sense of self. Yound Adulthood (19 to 40 years) Intimacy vs. Isolation Relationships Young adults need to form intimate, loving relationships with other people. Success leads to strong relationships, while failure results in loneliness and isolation. Middle Adulthood (40 to 65 years) Generativity vs. Stagnation Work and Parenthood Adults need to create or nurture things that will outlast them, often by having children or creating a positive change that benefits other people. Success leads to feelings of usefulness and accomplishment, while failure results in shallow involvement in the world. Maturity(65 to death) Ego Integrity vs. Despair Reflection on Life Older adults need to look back on life and feel a sense of fulfillment. Success at this stage leads to feelings of wisdom, while failure results in regret, bitterness, and despair.

sources

• http://psychology.about.com/library/bl_psychosocial_summary.htm

• I used my notes on Erikson's theory of personality development on certain stages

• Used the book for some stages.