Erikson's Psychosocial Development Theory

Erikson's Theory of Psychosocial Development

• Erikson's theory extends Freud's theory by examining personality development throughout the lifespan
• It emphasizes the impact of social and cultural factors on personality development.
• Erikson's theory posits that development occurs through a series of eight stages, each characterized by a unique psychosocial crisis.

Stages of Psychosocial Development

• Stage 1: Trust vs. Mistrust (0-1 year): Development is based on interaction with the primary caregiver. Trust stems from consistent care, while mistrust arises from inconsistent or unreliable care.

  • Basic strength: Hope
  • Maldevelopment: Sensory maladjustment

• Stage 2: Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt (1-3 years): This stage focuses on developing physical and mental abilities and exercising independence. Children who are encouraged and supported develop a sense of autonomy, while those who are criticized or restricted may experience shame and doubt.

  • Basic strength: Will
  • Maldevelopment: Shameless willfulness

• Stage 3: Initiative vs. Guilt (3-5 years): Children begin to initiate activities and explore their fantasies. Positive experiences lead to initiative, while negative experiences may result in guilt.

  • Basic strength: Purpose
  • Maldevelopment: Compulsion

• Stage 4: Industry vs. Inferiority (6-11 years): This stage centers around school and social experiences. Positive reinforcement and successful completion of tasks fosters a sense of industry, while negative experiences can lead to feelings of inferiority.

  • Basic strength: Competence
  • Maldevelopment: Ruthlessness

• Stage 5: Identity vs. Role Confusion (12-18 years): Adolescence is a crucial stage for the formation of a consistent and congruent self-image. Failure to resolve this crisis can lead to role confusion.

  • Basic strength: Fidelity
  • Maldevelopment: Fanaticism

• Stage 6: Intimacy vs. Isolation (19-35 years): Young adults explore intimate relationships and committed partnerships. Failure to establish intimacy can lead to isolation.

  • Basic strength: Love
  • Maldevelopment: Repudiation

• Stage 7: Generativity vs. Stagnation (35-55 years): Middle-aged adults focus on contributing to future generations through teaching, mentoring, and guiding. Stagnation results from a lack of productivity or concern for the future.

  • Basic strength: Care
  • Maldevelopment: Promiscuity

• Stage 8: Ego Integrity vs. Despair (55+ years): Older adults reflect on their life's accomplishments and experiences. A sense of fulfillment and self-acceptance (ego integrity) contrasts with regret and despair.

  • Basic strength: Wisdom
  • Maldevelopment: Distain

Additional Considerations

• Epigenetic Principle: Development is governed by the sequence of stages, and each stage builds upon previous stages
• Each stage presents a crisis that needs to be resolved.
• Maldevelopment: In successful resolution of stages, the ego develops adaptive coping mechanisms, but maldevelopment can lead maladjustment.
• Resolution of Crisis: The resolution of a crisis is not permanent. If a crisis is not positively resolved, it can create challenges in future stages, sometimes leading to psychological problems.
• Free Will vs. Determinism & Nature vs Nurture: Erikson's theory considers both free will and determinism, nature and nurture influences and the importance of past and present focus.