Erikson’s Psychosocial Theory of Development�Module 3.6b

Erikson’s Theory

• Biological in belief that there are innate drives to develop social relationships and that these promote survival (Darwinism)
• Divided life span into 8 psychosocial stages, each associated with a different drive and a problem or crisis to resolve
• Outcome of each stage varies along a continuum from positive to negative

Stage 1: (Birth–1)�Trust vs. Mistrust

• Infants must rely on others for care
• Consistent and dependable caregiving and meeting infant needs leads to a sense of trust
• Infants who are not well cared for will develop mistrust

Stage 2: (1–3 years) �Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt

• Children are discovering their own independence
• Testing more independence by assuming more self-responsibilities
• Toilet, Feeding, Dressing
• Those given the opportunity to experience independence will gain a sense of autonomy
• Children that are overly restrained or punished harshly will develop shame and doubt

Stage 3: (3–5 years)�Initiative vs. Guilt

• Preschoolers learn to plan out and carry out their goals
• Sense of accomplishment leads to initiative
• Feelings of guilt can emerge if the child is made to feel too anxious or irresponsible

Stage 4: (5–12 years) �Industry vs. Inferiority

• Stage of life surrounding mastery of knowledge and intellectual skills
• Sense of competence and achievement leads to industry
• Feeling incompetent and unproductive leads to inferiority

Stage 5: (Adolescence)�Identity vs. Confusion

• Developing a sense of who one is and where one is going in life
• The adolescent’s path to successful identity achievement begins with identity diffusion.
• This is followed by a moratorium period.
• Gradually, the adolescent arrives at an integrated identity
• Successful resolution leads to positive identity
• Unsuccessful resolution leads to identity confusion or a negative identity

Stage 6: (Young adulthood)�Intimacy vs. Isolation

• Time for sharing oneself with another person
• Capacity to hold commitments with others leads to intimacy
• Failure to establish commitments leads to feelings of isolation

Stage 7: (Middle adulthood)�Generativity vs. Stagnation

• Caring for others in family, friends, and work leads to sense of contribution to later generations
• Stagnation comes from a sense of boredom and meaninglessness

Stage 8: (Late adulthood to Death)�Integrity vs. Despair

• Successful resolutions of all previous crises leads to integrity and the ability to see broad truths and advise those in earlier stages
• Despair arises from feelings of helplessness and the bitter sense that life has been incomplete

stagnation