Psychosocial Developmentof Erik Erikson

Erik Erikson

• Original name was Homburger, until he went to

the US

• Born in Frankfurt, Germany on June 15, 1902

• Biological father: unnamed Danish man

• His mother was Karla Abrahamsen

• Married Joan Serson, had 3 children

• Taught art at an experimental school for American boys

• Gathered a certificate in Montessori teaching

• Was offered a position in Harvard Medical school

• Later on practiced child psychoanalysis privately.

• Taught at Yale and later still at University of California

• Wrote Child and Society in 1950

CAREER

Erik EriksonErik Erikson worked with Sigmund Freud in Austria. After

his mentor died, he continued with Sigmund's daughter

Anna Freud. Like others among Freud's followers, Erikson

initially felt that his own theory was simply an elaboration

of Sigmund Freud's psychoanalytic theory. Eventually,

though, he decided he disagreed with too many of Freud's

key points. He felt Freud was correct in noting that people

go through specific stages in developing their

personalities, but he came to believe that Freud had

overemphasized the role that sexual development plays

and that Freud had neglected adult personality

development.

PSYCHOSOCIAL DEVELOPMENT

• One of the best-known theories of personality in psychology

• Personality develops in a series of stages

• Describes the impact of social experience across the whole

lifespan

• Describes eight developmental stages through which a healthily

developing human should pass from infancy to late

adulthood

• In each stage the person confronts, and hopefully masters, new

challenges

• Each stage builds on the successful completion of earlier stages

PSYCHOSOCIAL DEVELOPMENT

ERIKSON'S PSYCHOSOCIAL CRISIS STAGES

Trust vs. Mistrust

Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt

Initiative vs. Guilt

Industry vs. Inferiority

Identity vs. Role Confusion

Intimacy vs. Isolation

Generativity vs. Stagnation

Integrity vs.Despair

STAGE 1: INFANCY (Birth – 18 months)

Psychosocial Crisis: Trust vs. MistrustBasic Strength: Drive and HopeRelationship: MotherMaladaptation/Malignancy: Sensory Distortion / Withdrawal

Freudian Psychosexual Stage: Oral

+ MAIN TASK: To develop TRUST without completely eliminating the capacity for MISTRUST.

+ MAIN QUESTION: Is my environment trustworthy or not?

+ MAIN THOUGHT: I can be safe

+ WHAT TO DO: Give good quality of care. This means, consistency and regularity in caring.

PSYCHOSOCIAL STAGES

PSYCHOSOCIAL STAGES

STAGE 2: MUSCULAR-ANAL (1 1/2 – 3 years)

Psychosocial Crisis: Autonomy vs. Shame & DoubtBasic Strength: Willpower and Self-controlRelationship: ParentsMaladaptation/Malignancy: Impusivity/CopmpulsionFreudian Psychosexual Stage: Anal

+ MAIN TASK: To achieve autonomy while minimizing shame and doubt.

+ MAIN QUESTION: Do I need help from others.

+ MAIN THOUGHT: I can be independent.

+ WHAT TO DO: Do not over-protect; be firm; show patience and tolerance

PSYCHOSOCIAL STAGES

STAGE 3: PLAY AGE (3 – 6 Years)

Psychosocial Crisis: Initiative vs. GuiltBasic Strength: Purpose and DirectionRelationship: FamilyMaladaptation/Malignancy: Ruthlessness / InhibitionFreudian Psychosexual Stage: Phallic

+ MAIN TASK: To develop confidence in self-starting and self-guidance. Learn INITIATIVE without too much GUILT

+ MAIN QUESTION: How moral am I?

+ MAIN THOUGHT: I can do

+ WHAT TO DO: Do not over-protect; be firm; show patience and tolerance

PSYCHOSOCIAL STAGES

STAGE 4: SCHOOL AGE (6 – 12 Years)

Psychosocial Crisis: Industry vs. InferiorityBasic Strength: Competence and MethodRelationship: Neighbourhood and SchoolMaladaptation/Malignancy: Narrow Virtuosity / InertiaFreudian Psychosexual Stage: Latency

+ MAIN TASK: To develop a capacity for industry while avoiding excessive sense of inferiority. Develop a sense of achievement and competence.

+ MAIN QUESTION: Am I good at what I do?

+ MAIN THOUGHT: I Can Enjoy and Finish What I Do

+ WHAT TO DO: Encouragement of good-efforts from parents and teachers; Give positive feedback when the child shows/showed good work.

PSYCHOSOCIAL STAGES

STAGE 5: ADOLESCENCE (12 – 18 Years)

Psychosocial Crisis: Identity vs. Role ConfusionBasic Strength: Devotion and FidelityRelationship: Peers, Groups, InfluencesMaladaptation/Malignancy: Fanaticism / RepudiationFreudian Psychosexual Stage: Puberty and Genitality

+ MAIN TASK: To discover who we are as individuals separate from our family of origins and become members of a wider society.

+ MAIN QUESTION: Who am I?

+ MAIN THOUGHT: I am

+ WHAT TO DO: Should be given freedom to explore the different options in life – but with proper guidance.

PSYCHOSOCIAL STAGES

STAGE 6: YOUNG ADULTHOOD (18 – 35 Years)

Psychosocial Crisis: Intimacy vs. IsolationBasic Strength: Affiliation and LoveRelationship: Lovers and FriendsMaladaptation/Malignancy: Promiscuity / ExclusivityFreudian Psychosexual Stage: Genitality

+ MAIN TASK: To search for a “soulmate” or someone to share life with.

+ MAIN THOUGHT: I can be loved.

+ WHAT TO DO: One must first establish a sense of identity before true intimacy can be found.

PSYCHOSOCIAL STAGES

STAGE 7: MIDDLE ADULTHOOD (35 – 55 Years)

Psychosocial Crisis: Generativity vs. Self absorption or Stagnation

Basic Strength: Production and CareRelationship: Children and Community

Maladaptation/Malignancy: Overextension / Rejectivity

+ MAIN TASK: To help and guide the younger generation.

+ MAIN QUESTION: What am I doing all this for?

+ MAIN THOUGHT: I want to spread love.

+ WHAT TO DO: Having made good decisions in the previous stages, that could be passed on to the younger generation

PSYCHOSOCIAL STAGES

STAGE 8: LATE ADULTHOOD (55 – Death)

Psychosocial Crisis: Integrity vs. DespairBasic Strength: WisdomRelationship: Society, World, LifeMaladaptation/Malignancy: Presumption / Disdain

+ MAIN TASK: Reflect on one's life

+ MAIN QUESTION: What kind of life have I lived?

+ MAIN THOUGHT: I am wise

+ WHAT TO DO: Having made good decisions in the previous stages