Erikson's theory: Psychosocial Theory of Development

A “more social” view of Freud…

Psychosocial Theory of Development

• Erikson's theory is also known as the psychosocial theory of development. He defines eight stages. At each stage, each individual must face a developmental crisis. The stages are as follows:

Erik Erikson

Basic trust vs. Mistrust

• Basic trust vs. mistrust (Birth to 12-18 months): infant must form a first loving, trusting relationship with the caregiver or develop a sense of mistrust and fear of others.

Trust vs. Mistrust

Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt

• Autonomy vs. shame/doubt (18 months to 3 years): the child's energies are directed toward the development of physical skills, including walking, grasping, controlling the sphincter. the child learns to control but may develop shame and doubt if not handled well.

Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt

Initiative vs. Guilt

• Initiative vs. guilt (3 to 6 years): the child continues to become more assertive and to take more initiative but may be too forceful, which can lead to guilt feelings.

Initiative vs. Guilt

Industry vs. Inferiority

• Industry vs. inferiority (6 to 12 years): the child must deal with demands to learn new skills or risk a sense of inferiority, failure, or incompetence.

Industry vs. Inferiority

Identity vs. Role Confusion

• Identity vs. role confusion (adolescence): the teenager must achieve identity in occupation, gender roles, politics, and religion.

Identity vs. Role Confusion

Intimacy vs. Isolation

• Intimacy vs. isolation (young adulthood): the young adult must develop intimate relationships or suffer feelings or isolation.

Intimacy vs. Isolation

Generativity vs. Stagnation

• Generativity vs. stagnation (middle adulthood): each adult must find some way to satisfy and support the next generation; otherwise life becomes stagnant.

Generativity vs. Stagnation

Ego integrity vs. Despair

• Ego integrity vs. despair (late adulthood): the culmination is a sense of acceptance of oneself as one is and a sense of fulfillment (ego integrity) or a growing sense of despair as one’s life ends.

Ego integrity vs. Despair