Developmental Life TasksDevelopmental Life TasksChapter 2Chapter 2

Erik Erikson

~People must modify their personalities in order to adjust successfully to their social environments

~Begins in childhood

~A child’s success in the early stages depends largely on their parents

~An ongoing process that is never final

Psychosocial Development Theory

Psychosocial development theory is based on eight stages of development

Erikson’s theory is based on the idea that development through life is a series of stages which are each defined by a crisis or challenge

The early stages provide the foundations for later stages so Erikson says that if a child does not resolve a crisis in a particular stage, they will have problems in later stages

For example, if an adolescent does not establish their own identity, they will have difficulty in relationships as an adult

Trust vs. MistrustInfancy to one year old

Trusto Respond

quicklyoHoldingo Cuddlingo Playingo Talking to themo Love themo Care for them

Mistrusto Receive

inconsistent care

o Receive little love and attention

o Fear and suspicion toward the world and everyone

Autonomy vs. ShameToddler 1 to 3 year olds

AUTONOMY is… Develop a sense of independenceDeveloping minds of their ownSAYING NO!Allow children to practice new motor skills, want to do everything themselvesLet them practice life skills and make simple choices Gives a sense that they can control their own behaviour and their environmentBuilds confidenceThey will look forward to meeting greater challenges

Autonomy vs. Shame1 to 3 year oldsSHAME is…Not allowing children to do things for

themselvesDoubt their abilitiesAlways criticizing and scolding

children for not being perfectQuestion their worth and their

abilities to control themselves and their world.

View themselves and the world in shame and doubt.

Initiative vs. GuiltPreschool 3 to 5 year olds

Initiative is…

Often initiate activities

Spend time imagining what they want to do, then think of ways to do those things.

Children need to know their ideas, questions, and concepts matter to others

Children need chances to create play ideas and put them into action

Initiative vs. Guilt3 to 5 year oldsGuilt is…Parents scold instead encourageChildren’s play ideas are not praisedBelittle and ridicule childrenPunishing children for acting on their ideasNo encouragement to think or be creativeParents convey to children that their ideas are not valuable or worthwhileThe child will feel less confident

Industry vs. InferioritySchool-age 5 to 12 years

Children capable of deductive reasoningLearn to follow rulesBecome interested in how things are

made, how they work, and what they doParents are no longer the only influence on

stages; friends are also

IndustryHaving the capacity to make a productive effort.

What parents can do:Encourage children to do, make, or build projectsStress the importance of seeing a task through to completionPraise and reward them for their efforts

InferiorityFeel incapable of succeeding in their effortsDiscouraged from doing and making things on their ownNot praised for their accomplishments,Don’t feel like they can do anything right.May passively accept failure or misbehave to compensate

Identity vs. Role ConfusionAdolescence 12 to 18/20 years

Adolescents develop a sense of who they are and what they can do.

They begin to figure out where they want to go in the future.

Without these goals and visions, teens are likely to see role confusion; an uncertainty about one’s place in society and the world.

Also known as ‘identity crisis’ – Who am I?