JENNIFER CURRY, PH.D.

PSYCHOSOCIAL DEVELOPMENT

ASSUMPTIONS OF THE LIFESPAN PERSPECTIVE

•Development is Lifelong•Multidimensional & Multidirectional•Plastic-responds to the environment, flexibility…this declines with age•Embedded in context—individuals respond to non-normative influences, historical and cohort influences, and age-gradation

ERIKSON’S PSYCHOSOCIAL DEVELOPMENTAL STAGES

•Trust vs Mistrust: occurs in infancy, 0-2Needs maximum comfort with minimal uncertaintyto trust himself/herself, others, and the environment

•Autonomy vs Shame and Doubt: ages 2-4Works to master physical environment while maintainingself-esteem

•Initiative vs Guilt: 5 and 6 year oldsBegins to initiate, not imitate, activities; developsconscience and sexual identity

•Industry vs Inferiority, 6-11 year oldsTries to develop a sense of self-worth by refining skills

ERIKSON’S PSYCHOSOCIAL DEVELOPMENTAL STAGES

• Identity vs Role Confusion, 12-22 year oldsTries integrating many roles (child, sibling, student, athlete,worker) into a self-image under role model and peer pressure

• Intimacy vs Isolation, 22-30Learns to make personal commitment to another asspouse, parent or partner

• Generativity vs Stagnation, 30-65Seeks satisfaction through productivity in career, family, andcivic interests

• Integrity vs Despair, 65+Reviews life accomplishments, deals with lossand preparation for death

MARCIA’S THEORY OF IDENTITY DEVELOPMENT—LINKED TO IDENTITY VS.

ROLE CONFUSION

Identity has two primary parameters (crisis and commitment) interacting to produce authentic identity particularly in the area of career development

• Identity Diffusion -teens aren’t exploring and haven’t committed to any values or goals

• Identity Foreclosure -teens commit to values without exploring options

• Moratorium -teens are actively exploring values and goals

• Identity Achievement -Teen commits after exploring alternatives

THE SOCIAL CLOCK

The socially prescribed, age-graded expectations that we hold for life events, such as a first job, getting married, having children, buying a house, and retirement. Being off-time can negatively affect self-esteem. The social clock has become considerably more flexible over time.

DEVELOPMENTAL RESILIENCY

The ability toadapt

effectivelyto changes or

threats todevelopment.

RESILIENCY

• Risks to development include poverty, divorce, mental illness, drug abuse

• Personal Characteristics may mediate risk such as intellect, creativity, and temperamental stability

• Protective Influences-parental relationships, social support, strong community