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.