info: erik erikson’s stages of psychosocial development
I wrote myself a summary, for convenience. There’s no harm in sharing it with you guys, just in case anybody happens to need it.
Erik Erikson’s stages of psychosocial development derive from Sigmund Freud’s psychosocial theory. These stages describe eight different crises in a person’s life. These turning points help develop their personality and sense of self. The ideal outcome is a balance of both ends of these conflicts (independence without overstepping boundaries, etc.). Failure results in negative qualities that impact adulthood.
Stage 1: Trust vs. Mistrust
Success: Hope (openness to new experiences while being wary of danger and knowing they have support)
Failure: Fear (being mistrusting toward a world that seems unpredictable)
The infant is reliant on its caretakers for everything. A predictable, reliable relationship and feedback encourages trust and self-assurance as opposed to fear and anxiety.
Stage 2: Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt
Success: Will (acting independently while respecting rules and limits)
Failure: Dependency (feeling inadequate and questioning their abilities)
Erikson believed that toilet training (i.e. gaining control of one’s bodily functions) is crucial to this stage. As independence begins to develop, children’s autonomy needs to be encouraged. An environment where failure is tolerated and independence is encouraged is ideal. Otherwise, they may become overly dependent and/or lack self-esteem. A sense of control is paramount.
Stage 3: Initiative vs. Guilt
3 years–5 years (Preschool)
Success: Purpose (good leadership and cooperativeness)
Failure: Self-doubt (lack of initiative and confidence)
This is when children begin to assert themselves and take initiative by engaging in play and asking questions. Caretakers should encourage their leadership and curiosity while also tempering their forcefulness. The important thing is to develop their sense of capability and self-control without destroying their self-confidence.
Stage 4: Industry vs. Inferiority
5 years–12 years (Elementary school)
Success: Competence (confidence in their abilities without being immodest)
Failure: Inferiority (questioning their abilities and developing an inferiority complex)
Children begin to develop abilities. They also gain the capacities to feel pride in their accomplishments and seek approval from those around them, especially peers and parents/caretakers. Encouragement reinforces a sense of competency. A lack of support (or a child’s sense that they cannot do what society expects) can cripple their self-esteem.
Stage 5: Identity vs. Role Confusion
12 years–18 years (Teenage years)
Success: Fidelity (integrated values, beliefs, and goals)
Failure: Lack of Identity (lacking direction in life and feeling confused)
Adolescence is the primary period during which teenagers secure a sense of self. They are defining their identity and their place in society as they transition from a child to an adult. They discover who they are and who they want to be. If this fails to happen, they may struggle to find direction in life as an adult.
Stage 6: Intimacy vs. Isolation
18 years–40 years (Young adulthood)
Success: Love (stable long-term relationships)
Failure: Loneliness (emotional isolation and lack of commitment outside of family)
During this stage, young adults develop vital, committed relationships with other people. However, failure in previous stages will hinder relationship development. If the adult is unable to form lasting relationships, they may then experience feelings of loneliness or emotional isolation.
Stage 7: Generativity vs. Stagnation
40 years–65 years (Middle adulthood)
Success: Care (feeling useful and contributing to their community)
Failure: Uninvolvement (shallow involvement and unproductivity)
This is when most people will secure their life’s work, whether that be raising a family, doing volunteer work, being a productive worker, or anything else. A sense of involvement in their home and community helps them leave a mark. Otherwise, they may feel unaccomplished or uninvolved.
Stage 8: Ego Integrity vs. Despair
65 years–death (Late adulthood/old age)
Success: Wisdom (self-acceptance and closure)
Failure: Bitterness (regret and despair)
This is when the elderly reflect on their lives. They will either feel satisfied or unsatisfied with what they have done so far, leading to different results of either wisdom and satisfaction or bitterness and depression.
