Erik Erikson's Stages Of Psychosocial Development

Page 1 of 8

Ads by Google

Erik Erikson

Active Child

Age of Impair

Ai Development

Psychology: What Is Psychosocial Development?

Dutch Lady GrowingUp Milk www.dutchlady.com.m With 5X DHA , Essential nutrients for your child's brain development. Your Hamam in KL www.GROUPON.groupsmore.com Have a Hamam Day for 70% less Now. Relaxe & Save with Groupon Today! Investing In Energy www.The-Green-Guide.info/ Learn About Carbon Futures & Other Energy Investments. Free Download!

Erik Eriksons Stages Of Psychosocial Development

Unlike Freuds theory of psychosexual development which places great emphasis on sex, Erik Eriksons theory of psychosocial development focuses more on the choices people make and the conflicts they face during different stages of their life.
Horoscope for all 2011 AboutAstro.com/horoscope Claim your Free Reading from this accurate & talented Astrologer now Personal 2011 Year Ahead www.russellgrant.com Your Daily Personal Horoscopes for ALL of 2011 - free report trial Astrology Reading www.findyourfate.com We answer your unanswered questions Ask a question? on love, marriage..

http://www.eruptingmind.com/erik-eriksons-stages-of-psychosocial-development/

4/17/2011

Erik Erikson's Stages Of Psychosocial Development

Page 2 of 8

Eriksons theory of psychosocial development has eight stages. Within each stage there are different types of conflicts an individual must resolve, and if they are unable to do so they will struggle with those conflicts later in life.
Stages Of Erikson Eriksons Psychosocial Development

The eight stages of psychosocial development are : Trust Vs Mistrust Autonomy Vs Shame & Guilt Initiative Vs Guilt Industry Vs Inferiority Identity Vs Role Confusion Intimacy Vs Isolation Generativity Vs Self-Absorption Integrity Vs Despair For each of these stages the first attribute is considered to be a positive or desirable personality trait. For example, autonomy is a positive trait. The second attribute is considered to be a negative or undesirable trait. For example, isolation is a negative trait. Throughout a persons life as they move from stage to stage, they must overcome the various challenges they face so that they can form the positive trait. If they are unable to do this, it will cause them problems later in life. So basically Eriksons theory is about the challenges we face in life, and whether or not we are able to overcome those challenges to form certain desirable (positive) traits.

http://www.eruptingmind.com/erik-eriksons-stages-of-psychosocial-development/

4/17/2011

Erik Erikson's Stages Of Psychosocial Development

Page 3 of 8

Lets explore each of these eight stages of psychosocial development in more detail.
Trust Vs Mistrust (birth 2 years old)

Trust vs. mistrust is a stage associated with infancy, and lasts until we are two years of age. If an infant develops a sense of trust as a result of being looked after, attended to and loved by its parents, the infant will be happy and in good health. However if the infant develops a sense of mistrust as a result of being neglected or treated poorly by its parents, they will display a lack of interest in their surroundings and have poor health. These are characteristics associated with infantile depression, which may then result in adult depression later in life. So overall, this stage can be summarised by saying that if the infant is looked after well (develops trust) it will be happy and healthy. But if the infant is looked after poorly (develops mistrust) it will be depressed and unhealthy.
Autonomy Vs Shame & Doubt (2(2-3 years old)

The stage of autonomy vs. shame and doubt occurs during years two to three (toddlerhood). A toddler with a sense of autonomy will be interested in exploring their surroundings, and will constantly be looking for new things to stimulate (mentally) themselves with. They will tend to perform this exploration by themselves, and as a result may appear to wander off randomly or try to escape from their parents somehow to explore new surroundings. A toddler with a sense of shame and doubt will tend to do the opposite. They will be more withdrawn, appear to lack confidence and not venture too far into areas they have not been before.

http://www.eruptingmind.com/erik-eriksons-stages-of-psychosocial-development/

4/17/2011

Erik Erikson's Stages Of Psychosocial Development

Page 4 of 8

So this stage can be summarised by saying that a child with autonomy likes to explore new things, whereas a child with shame and doubt does not. One is confident, the other isnt.
Initiative Vs Guilt (3(3-6 years old)

The initiative vs. guilt stage occurs during years three to six (preschool children). A preschooler with a sense of initiative will tend to complete tasks that they start. For example, if they start to draw a picture they will keep drawing until they finish it. A preschooler with a sense of guilt will tend not to seek challenges, and tends to hold back expressing who they are and what they would like to do. This stage can be summarised by saying that a preschooler with initiative expresses who they are, whereas a preschooler with guilt does not.
Industry Vs Inferiority (6(6-12 years old)

Industry vs. inferiority is associated with children aged six to twelve years old. Children with a sense of industry show an interest in school work, tasks they are given at home and display a responsible attitude. Children with a sense of inferiority will tend to display the opposite type of behaviour, such as being uninterested in school work or tasks they are given because they feel they are not good enough to complete those tasks successfully. This sense of inferiority can become further entrenched if that child is criticised by their parents or other people. So we can summarise this stage by saying that a child with a sense of industry is one who is interested in challenges and enjoys responsibility,

http://www.eruptingmind.com/erik-eriksons-stages-of-psychosocial-development/

4/17/2011

Erik Erikson's Stages Of Psychosocial Development

Page 5 of 8

being somewhat confident in their abilities to complete the tasks they are given. Children with a sense of inferiority however do not like responsibility or being given tasks to complete. They feel that if they are given these tasks, or given responsibility, they wont be able to complete them very well and so will be criticised as a result.
Identity Vs Role Confusion (12(12-18 years old)

The identity vs. role confusion stage is associated with adolescence, with includes years twelve to eighteen. An adolescent with a sense of identity will feel as though they know where they are going in life, or at least what they would like to be when they are older. As a result they go throughout adolescence with that goal in mind, and tend to have a high level of self esteem because their life has direction and a sense of purpose. Adolescents with a sense of role confusion feel as though they have no direction or purpose in life, and feel unsure as to what the future holds for them. They are unlikely to have any long term goals, and their behaviour could best be described as drifting aimlessly through life. They are also likely to have low self esteem. So in summary, an adolescent with a sense of identity knows what they want to be when they are older. Whereas an adolescent with a sense of role confusion, is uncertain as to what they will be or do when they are older.
Intimacy Vs Isolation (18 onwards)

The intimacy vs. isolation stage is associated with early adulthood, and tends to begin at age eighteen when adolescence ends.

http://www.eruptingmind.com/erik-eriksons-stages-of-psychosocial-development/

4/17/2011

Erik Erikson's Stages Of Psychosocial Development

Page 6 of 8

However it is important to note that the stage of adulthood may be delayed somewhat, until the adolescent is able to form a sense of identity (i.e. they know what they want to do with their life). As a result, an adult (someone aged over 18) may not technically enter adulthood even if they are in their twenties, thirties or older. Unless they are able to form a sense of identity, they will feel as though they are somewhat trapped in adolescence (like they have never really matured fully from school). An adult who is capable of intimacy will tend to form close bonds with people, such as by forming friends and having romantic relationships with members of the opposite sex, eventually leading to marriage. An adult with a sense of isolation finds it difficult to form relationships with people, and is unable to understand what other people are thinking or feeling. As a result they spend most of the time by themselves, with little or no friends. This stage can be summarised by saying that an adult with intimacy can form close relationships with people, whereas an adult with isolation cannot.
Generativity Vs SelfSelf-Absorption (adult)

An adult with the trait of generativity is capable of productive work, which they usually undertake for several years. This trait is also linked to helping others in some way, for example a mother who looks after her children. An adult with a trait of self absorption is more concerned with themselves rather than other people. This stage can be summarised by saying that a person with generativity likes to give something to others, whereas a person with the trait of self absorption likes to take things from others.

http://www.eruptingmind.com/erik-eriksons-stages-of-psychosocial-development/

4/17/2011

Erik Erikson's Stages Of Psychosocial Development

Page 7 of 8

Integrity Vs Despair (old age)

The stage of integrity vs. despair is associated with old age. A person with a trait of integrity can face death with peace of mind, because they know their life has been lived to the fullest and they have achieved the things they wanted to do in life. A person with a trait of despair feels a sense of desperation as their life draws to a close, because they feel they have wasted it and not been able to do the things they hoped to do. In summary a person with integrity can accept death, but a person with despair wishes for a second chance and for more time before they die.
Summary Of Psychosocial Developmental Stages

Psychosocial development focuses on the challenges people face during different stages of their life, and whether or not they are able to overcome those challenges to develop positive personality traits. There are eight stages of psychosocial development. Trust vs. mistrust develops in response to how well an infant is treated by their parents. If they are treated well they will be happy, if treated poorly they may display symptoms associated with infantile depression. Autonomy vs. shame can result in a child wanting to explore new things by themselves, or becoming withdrawn and lacking confidence. Initiative vs. guilt can result in a child who expresses who they are, or a child who holds back who they are. Industry vs. inferiority can result in a child who likes new challenges and responsibility, or a child who does not because they feel they are not good enough and will be criticised for poor performance. Identity vs. role confusion can result in an adolescent knowing what they want to be in life, or an adolescent who does not know what they want to be in life.

EruptingMind Self Improvement Tips

Free Health, Money & Self Improvement Advice, Ideas & Tips!

http://www.eruptingmind.com/erik-eriksons-stages-of-psychosocial-development/

4/17/2011

Erik Erikson's Stages Of Psychosocial Development

Page 8 of 8

Entry into adulthood can be delayed if an adolescent is unable to create an identity for themselves, such as by feeling as though they have no real purpose in life. People with intimacy can form close relationships with people and understand how they are feeling, people with isolation cannot. Generativity describes those who contribute to the welfare of others, whilst self-absorption describes those who take from others thinking solely of themselves. Integrity describes those who face death with acceptance because they have lived a fulfilling life. People with despair face death with remorse and regret at the way their life has been lived.

People who like EruptingMind have told their friends about it. So if you found this article or website helpful, please do the same and join this growing community by helping to spread the word.
Ads by Google Away Children Child 'S Items Child Save Children 18 3

http://www.eruptingmind.com/erik-eriksons-stages-of-psychosocial-development/

4/17/2011