Erik Erikson 1902-1994
Social/Emotional development
Personality theory
Psychosocial Development
Draws on Freud’s concepts
Erick Erikson’s 8 life stages
Erikson developed 8 life stages that we go through, or psychosocial dilemma.
He theorized that we went through dilemmas or crisis at
each stage of life. Each stage has a developmental task to be mastered. Resolving each dilemma creates new balance between a
person and the social world. An unresolved outcome throws us off balance and
makes it harder to deal with later crisis.
Erickson’s 8 Stages of development
PERIOD
OF TIME
CONFLICT DESCRIPTION
Infancy
Virtue: Hope
Basic trust
vs. mistrust
Parents must maintain an adequate environment- supportive, nurturing, and loving-so that the child develops basic trust
PERIOD OF TIME
CONFLICT DESCRIPTION
Years
1-3
Virtue: Will
Autonomy vs.
shame or doubt
As the child develops bowel and bladder control, he or she should also develop a healthy attitude toward being independent and somewhat self-sufficient. (i.e. walking and eating alone). If the child is made to feel that independent efforts are wrong, then shame and self-doubt develops instead of autonomy.
PERIOD OF TIME
CONFLICT DESCRIPTION
Years
3-5-1/2
Virtue: Purpose
Initiative vs.
Guilt
The child must discover ways to initiate actions on his or her own. If such initiatives are successful, guilt will be avoided. This period enables children to take leadership and make decisions and to cooperate in play.
PERIOD OF TIME
CONFLICT DESCRIPTION
Years
5-1/2 - 12
Virtue: Competence
Industry vs.
Inferiority
The child must learn to feel competent, especially when competing with peers. Seeing tasks through to completion is essential. Failure results in feelings of inferiority.
PERIOD OF TIME
CONFLICT DESCRIPTION
Adolescence
Virtue: Fidelity “being true to the self”
Identity vs.
role confusion
The young person must develop a sense of role identity, especially in terms of selecting a vocation and future career. It’s important to have a strong “ego identity”, which is a “sense of self”, or know who you are.
PERIOD OF TIME
CONFLICT DESCRIPTION
Early
Adulthood
Virtue: Love
Intimacy vs.
Isolation
The adult’s formation of close friendships and relationships with the opposite sex is vital to healthy development.
PERIOD OF TIME
CONFLICT DESCRIPTION
Middle Adulthood
Virtue: Care
Generativty
vs.
Stagnation
Adults need to develop useful lives by helping and guiding children. Childless adults must fill this need through adoption or other close relationships with children.
PERIOD OF TIME
CONFLICT DESCRIPTION
Later
Adulthood
Virtue: Wisdom
Ego integrity
vs. despair
Adults eventually review their lives. A life well spent will result in a sense of well-being and integrity.