Erikson's Identity Theory Quiz

Erik Erikson's Identity Theory

• Erik Erikson (1902-1994) proposed a lifespan approach to personality
• His theory emphasizes psychosocial development across the entire lifespan
• Development is driven by crises at each stage, leading to either positive or negative resolutions

Stages Summary

• Trust vs. Mistrust (0-1 year): Interaction with primary caregiver forms foundation of trust. Consistency in care leads to trust, inconsistency leads to mistrust. Basic Strength: Hope

• Autonomy vs. Shame & Doubt (2-3 years): Development of physical and mental abilities fosters a sense of independence. Success leads to autonomy; difficulty leads to shame and doubt. Basic Strength: Will

• Initiative vs. Guilt (3-5 years): Children initiate activities, develop fantasies, and learn about social rules. Successfully navigating these experiences leads to initiative; difficulties lead to guilt. Basic Strength: Purpose

• Industry vs. Inferiority (6-11 years): School and social interactions are crucial during this stage. Successfully mastering skills leads to a sense of industry; difficulties result in feelings of inferiority. Basic Strength: Competence

• Identity vs. Role Confusion (12-18 years): Adolescents explore different roles and identities to form a sense of self. Successfully navigating this exploration leads to identity; difficulty leads to role confusion. Basic Strength: Fidelity

• Intimacy vs. Isolation (19-35 years): Young adults establish intimate relationships with others. Successful intimacy fosters care; isolation leads to avoidance of relationships. Basic strength: Love

• Generativity vs. Stagnation (35-55 years): Adults focus on the future, raising families, and contributing to society. Success leads to generativity (sense of contribution); difficulty leads to feelings of stagnation. Basic strength: Care

• Ego Integrity vs. Despair (55+ years): Older adults reflect on their lives, assess their accomplishments, and accept their experiences. Positive reflection leads to ego integrity; negative reflection to despair. Basic Strength: Wisdom

Epigenetic Principle

• Development unfolds through a predetermined sequence of stages, influenced by genetic factors.
• Crises and turning points happen at each stage

Additional Research Focus

• Assessment strategies include play therapy and anthropological/historical analyses of major life themes

• Research focuses on case studies, play constructions, and psychosocial development through lifespan

• This is a theory based on lifespan development of a person, from conception through adulthood

Motivating/Maladaptive Characteristics of Crises

• Resolution of crises results in strengths, while unsatisfactory resolutions lead to motivating characteristics (or maldevelopment.)

• Maldevelopment is when the ego consists of exclusively one way of coping with conflict.

Critiques of Erikson's Theory

• Some criticisms focus on ambiguities in terms and concepts, as well as problematic treatment of maturity, negative aspects of aging, and differing experiences for women or individuals facing economic hardship.