Erickson’s Stages of Development

• Erik Erikson proposed that humans develop a personality in 8 psychosocial stages

– During each stage, we experience a particular psychosocial crisis it must be resolved positively or negatively

– Each outcome will have an effect on our ability to deal with the next crisis

– According to Erickson the crisis at each stage of development must be resolved positively before one can successfully master subsequent stages

Erikson’s Eight Stages of Development

1. Trust vs. Mistrust(Infancy)

When all an infant's needs are met, trust develops.

2. Autonomy vs. Shame(Toddlerhood)

Parents who create supportive environments allow toddlers to learn self-sufficiency and gain confidence. Overprotective

or disapproving parents can lead to children who second-guess themselves.

3. Initiative vs. Guilt(Preschooler)

Children who receive encouragement and consistent discipline gain esteem while learning to take chances. If

children receive nothing but scolding, they may develop an overriding sense of guilt. Children at this stage improve their

motor skills and become more interested in social interaction.

Erickson’s 8 Stages of Development

Erikson’s Eight Stages of Development

4. Industry vs. Inferiority

(Elementary)

Doing well in school and making friends helps children develop a sense of competence or industry. Otherwise they feel a sense of

inadequacy.

5. Identity vs. Role Confusion

(Adolescence)

If teens successfully answer the question, "who am I?" they develop a strong sense of self. If, however, they remain confused about their identity, they will likely grow up with an inability to

make crucial decisions.

6. Intimacy vs. Isolation

(Young Adulthood)

Intimacy is possible with a more-or-less solid sense of identity gained in earlier stages. If young adults still harbor doubts about

who they are, then they are likely to become isolated, fear commitments, and root themselves in egocentrism.

Erickson’s 8 Stages of Development

Erikson’s Eight Stages of Development

7. Generativity vs. Stagnation

(Middle Adulthood)

Adults in this stage may dedicate their lives to rearing children, to their work, or to some special cause, all in hope of leaving 'mark' on the world. People resolve the conflict of

generativity versus stagnation by giving something of themselves to future generations. If adults fail to make a

contribution to the world, they remain caught up in egoism and a self-centered lifestyle.

Erickson’s 8 Stages of Development

8. Integrity vs. Despair

(Late Adulthood)

At this time of life, adults look back on their lives and evaluate their effect on the world. If the previous stages

have been resolved positively, adults are able to approach their deaths from a healthy point of view. Otherwise, they

may fear death and regret their lives.

Piaget’s Theory of Cognitive Development

• Jean Piaget’s theory of personality development focused on 4 stages in cognitive development (a person’s ability to think and reason)1. Sensorimotor stage – the stage at which

infants learn to experience and think about the world through their senses and motor skills

2. Preoperational stage – the stage at which the ability to speak grows rapidly

Piaget’s Theory of Cognitive Development

• Stages of development 3 and 4

3. Concrete Operational Stage – the stage at which children can think about objects in the world in more than one way and start to understand causal connections in their surroundings

4. Formal Operational Stage – the stage at which people become able to comprehend abstract thought

Kohlberg

• Lawrence Kohlberg’s moral theory

– Suggested that moral reasoning occurs on three levels

1. The Preconventional level (7-10 years old) – moral decisions based on seeking pleasure over pain

– Children’s perceptions are based on punishment and obedience.

– Ask a 5 year old why stealing is wrong, and chances are that they'll respond: "Because daddy or mommy says it's wrong" or "Because you get spanked if you steal."

Kohlberg

2. The Conventional level (10 yrs to adult) –use of norms and rules to determine what is right and wrong

– People become concerned with how they are perceived by peers and how one conforms to rules

• If you ask adolescents at this level why something is wrong or why it is right, they will tend to answer in terms of what their families have taught, what their friends think or what Americans believe.

Kohlberg

3. The Postconventional level (few people will actually reach this)

– These people make moral & ethical decisions based on higher, overarching ethical principles related to the good of humanity rather than on reward & punishment or the rule of law

– Examples are Ghandi & Mother Theresa