Erikson’s Eight

Stages of Psychosoci

al Developme

ntPresentation by Renee Illerbrun, Heather Kleinsmith, Kevin

McMullen, and Ann Pallifrone

Erik Eriksonand his psychosocial stages

Ideas influenced by Freud’s work with personalities

Ego psychologist Believed the ego develops as it

successfully resolves social crises

Maintained that personality develops in a predetermined order and each stage completed builds upon the previous stage

Interested in how children socialize and how that affects their sense of self

Eight Stagesof Psychosocial Development

Stage One: Trust vs. Mistrust

Can I trust the people around me?The most important period in a person’s life

Infancy

Trust• Stability

• Consistency

• Building blocks that are necessary to construct the trust for success in life

• Virtue of hope

Mistrust• Failing to complete the stage of

virtue of hope

• Increased/heightened sense of fear

• Anxiety

• General feeling of mistrust in the world around them

Stage Two: Autonomy vs. Shame and

DoubtCan I do things myself or am I reliant on the help of others?

Children at this stage are focused on developing a greater sense of self-control.

Early Childhood

Autonomy• Ages of 1-3 years old

• Independence

• Self-confidence

• Positive or negative

Shame and Doubt• Positive reassurance

• Over protective

• Feeling shameful

• Learn doubt

• Toilet training

“Erikson believes that children who experience too

much doubt at this stage will lack

confidence in their powers later in life”

(Woolfolk, 1987).

Stage Three: Initiative vs.

Guilt

Am I good or bad?Children begin to assert their power and

control over the world through social interaction.

Preschool

The FactsInitiative vs. Guilt• Play age (years 3-5)

• Child develops fundamental understanding of morals and values

• Gain self-esteem and learn to cooperate with peers

• Sense of power and control of environment

• Positive outcome of this stage is self-purpose and worth

Stage Four: Industry vs.

Inferiority

How can I be good?Children begin to develop a sense of pride in their accomplishments and

abilities.

School Age

The FactsIndustry vs. Inferiority

• School age (years 5-12)

• Main goal of this stage is the individual’s ability to rely on themselves

• Child will learn about• Friendship• Self-Evaluation• Teamwork

Provides a sense of competence and capability in terms of educational

achievement.

Stage Five: Identity vs. Role

Confusion

Who am I? Who can I be?Children are exploring their

independence and sense of self.

Adolescence

The FactsIdentity vs. Role Confusion

• Ages 13-19 years old (adolescence)

• Fidelity is the main virtue

• Development of social relationships is important

• Concerned with appearances

• Sense of sexual identity

• Figuring out future roles in the adult world

• Risk of “identity crisis”

Stage Six: Intimacy vs.

Isolation

Will I be loved or will I be alone?The major conflict centers on forming

intimate, loving relationships with other people.

Young Adulthood

The FactsIntimacy vs. Isolation

• Ages 18-40• Newfound identity and meaningfulness• Developing intimacy and willingness to

express feelings and share experiences

Possible OutcomesIntimacy vs. Isolation

Failure to Establish Intimacy Results in:1. Loneliness2. Feeling or being uncared for

Success in Establishing Intimacy Results in:3. Close intimate friendships4. Feeling secure in relationshipsWhat is the importance in

understanding this stage?

Stage Seven: Generativity vs. Self-

Absorption (Stagnation)

How can I contribute to the world?

Adults strive to create or nurture things that will outlast them.Middle Adulthood

The FactsGenerativity vs. Self-Absorption

- Ages 40-65

- Goes further into looking beyond and toward the future

- Establishing family and productivity in the community

- If they do not feel productive or that they have accomplished their goals, they feel like they are losing the meaning of life- mid-life crisis

Why is this important to understand?

Stage Eight: Ego Integrity vs.

Despair

Did I live a meaningful life?People reflect on the life they have lived

and come away with either a sense of fulfillment or a sense of regret.

Maturity

The FactsEgo Integrity vs. Despair

• Age 65 until death

• Wisdom is the main virtue

• Retrospection (the final developmental task)

• Can occur out of sequence ex. Terminal disease diagnosis

Possible OutcomesEgo Integrity vs. Despair

Seeing Your Life as Productive/Successful:- Contemplate accomplishments- Develop integrity

Seeing Your Life as Unproductive/Unsuccessful:- Dissatisfied with life - Develop despair

- Can lead to depression/hopelessness

So, how is this theory relevant to us and

what we’ve studied in class?

and

How does this theory help us to better

understand ourselves?