ERIK ERIKSON’S

Stages of Development

Ch. 8, 9 & 10

I. Stage 1- Infancy

A. Birth to 1 ½ years

B. Fastest growth period in life

C. Developmental Tasks 1. learn to eat solid food

2. begin to walk

3. begin to talk

4. developing trust

D. Trust vs. Mistrust

II. Stage 2 - Early Childhood

A. Ages 2-3B. Developmental tasks 1. walk and talk more 2. potty trained 3. social independence

develops 4. Sense of autonomy- need to control

impulses, body, environment.

C. Autonomy vs. Shame/Doubt

III. Stage 3 - Childhood

A. 4-5 years

B. Developmental tasks

1. initiate play with other kids

2. make-believe

3. ask questions

4. Learn initiative- the ability to start something on their own.

C. Initiative vs. Guilt

IV. Stage 4 – Late Childhood

A. 6 to 11 yearsB. Developmental Tasks 1. learn physical skills for

sports, games, etc.2. intellectually- learn to read, write, do math3. learn right from wrong

4. develop attitudes towards themselves and others.

5. develop sense of industry- make things- cookies, models, etc.

C. Industry vs. Inferiority

V. Stage 5 – Puberty/AdolescenceA. Ages 9 – 13 & 14-17B. Beginning of adolescenceC. Become capable of reproducingD. Secondary sex characteristics begin to developE. Second fastest period of growthF. Hormones develop- estrogen & progesterone-girls &

testosterone-boys

G. Developmental Tasks

1. Form mature relationships

2. achieve a masculine or feminine social role

3. accept one’s physique and use one’s body effectively

4. Achieve emotional independence from parents and other adults

5. prepare for marriage and family life

6. prepare for career

7. acquire personal standards

8. develop social intelligence-aware of human needs-helping others

9. develop conceptual and problem-solving skills

VI. Stage 6- Young AdulthoodA. Generally age 20 to early 30’s- can start as

young as 17.B. Financially independent from parentsC. Can deal with everyday life trials with

maturityD. At peak of physical abilities- strength,

quickness, alertnessE. Crucial life decisions made- marriage,

career, childrenF. Intimacy vs. Isolation

VII. Stage 7- Middle AdulthoodA. 35-65 yearsB. Start thinking in terms of what to do with the rest of their lives.C. Feeling that time is running outD. Start to face death of parentsE. Mid-life crisis common- divorce, career change, remarriage 1. some have not accepted middle age- can lead to problems adjusting 2. Their children may be going through adolescence, during this time which

can add to conflict.

VIII. Stage 8- Late AdulthoodA. 65 and olderB. Retirement commonC. Senior citizen does not equate

to old anymore.D. Longer life expectancy- 85 and

older common.E. Better health practices than in

the past.F. Measures of Age 1. Chronological- How old you

actually are 2. Biological- how well your body

is holding up influenced by diet, exercise,

lifestyle, heredity 3. Social- a person’s lifestyleG. Grandchildren become importantH. Must face death

IX. Death- Stages of Acceptance

1. Denial- “No not me”- can’t accept news of a death or their own imminent death.

2. Anger- “Why me?” Stage-resentment, sometimes leads to isolation, rejection

3. Bargaining- begins to accept reality, but bargains for more time by praying, other medical treatments, etc.

4. Depression-time of grieving for what the patient has already lost and will lose. Worries about family, money, fells sense of great loss.-Encourage him or her to grieve

5. Acceptance – Allows for action and facing reality in a constructive way. Closure is important. Not a happy stage, but not helpless either.