Erik Erikson

Like Freud, personality develops in stages

Focuses on social experiences across the life span

Development of ego identity Conscious sense of

self we develop through social interaction

Erikson Each stage is

concerned with being competent in an area

Handle well=mastery Handle poorly =

inadequacy Each stage has a

conflict that serves as a turning point in development

Erikson

Develop a psychological quality or failing to develop that quality

Potential for growth and failure is high

ERIK ERIKSON Born in Germany in 1902. In grammar school, he was

teased for being Jewish. He did not feel comfortable

(at a very early age) as a German or a Jew.

This feeling was a basis for his later theory of “identity crisis”

In 1920’s, he met Sigmund Freud’s daughter (Anna) and studied under her in Vienna.

Moved to U.S. in 1933 and taught at Yale, Harvard, and UCal at Berkeley.

Eight Stages of Psychosocial Development Trust vs. Mistrust Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt Initiative vs. Guilt Industry vs. Inferiority Identity vs. Confusion Intimacy vs. Isolation Generativity vs. Stagnation Integrity vs. Despair

Infancy and Early Childhood

Trust vs. Mistrust (birth – 1 year) Fundamental stage Infants are dependent:

need to develop trust Based on

dependability & quality of caregivers

If develops trust: safe and secure

Failure: fear and a belief that the world is inconsistent and unpredictable

Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt (early childhood)

Focused on children developing a greater sense of personal control

Toilet training was a vital part of process

Learning to control one’s body function leads to sense of control and independence

Control over food, toys, and clothes

Success: secure and confident Failure: inadequacy and self-

doubt Build self-esteem and

autonomy as we gain control Develop will

Preschool, Middle Childhood, and Adolescence

Initiative vs. Guilt (preschool years)

Children begin to assert their power and control

Play and social interaction

Successful: capable and able to lead others

Failure: sense of guilt, self-doubt, and lack of initiative

Industry vs. Inferiority: (5 to 11)

Through social interactions: sense of pride in accomplishments and abilities

Encouraged and commended by parents and teachers: develop a feeling of competence and belief in their skills

Little or no encouragement from parents, teachers, and peers: doubt ability to succeed

Industry: accomplishing new skills and knowledge

Identity vs. Confusion: 12 to 18

Exploring independence, developing sense of self

Receive proper encouragement and reinforcement through personal exploration: strong sense of self and a feeling of independence and control

Unsure of beliefs and desires= insecure and confused about themselves and future

Up to this point: development is based upon what is done to us

Here on out is what we do! Social interaction, moral issues

ADOLESCENCE: 12 to 18 con’t Our task is to discover who we are as

individuals separate from our family of origin and as members of a wider society.

And if we are unsuccessful in navigating this stage, we will experience role confusion and upheaval.

ADOLESCENCE (18-35) A significant task for us is to establish a

philosophy of life and in this process we tend to think in terms of ideals, which are conflict free, rather than reality, which is not.

The problem is that we don't have much experience and find it easy to substitute ideals for experience. However, we can also develop strong devotion to friends and causes.

It is no surprise that our most significant relationships are with peer groups.

Young Adulthood, Middle Age, Old Age

Intimacy vs. Isolation: early adulthood Seek companions and

love Attempt to find mutually

satisfying relationships through marriage and friends

Start a family Successful: intimacy on a

deep level Failure: isolation and

distance from others , if no satisfying relationships our world shrinks

Generativity vs. Stagnation: 35 to 55/65

Continue to build our lives Focus on career and family Success: feel like they are

contributing to the world by being active in their home and community

Fail: unproductive and uninvolved, self-absorbed and stagnate

Creative and meaningful work

Children leave home, mid-life crisis, new meanings and purposes

Integrity vs. Despair: 55 to 65 to Death Much of life is preparing for the

middle adulthood stage and the last stage is recovering from it

Reflecting back on life Perhaps that is because as

older adults we can often look back on our lives with happiness and are content, feeling fulfilled with a deep sense that life has meaning and we've made a contribution to life, a feeling Erikson calls integrity.

On the other hand, some adults may reach this stage and despair at their experiences and perceived failures.