Lesson No. 2.

2:

Erikson’s Psychoanalytic Theory and Psychosocial Stages of Development

Lesson Objective

LO1. Analyze the eight psychosocial stages of life through conflict,

relationship, virtue, maladaptation’s and malignancies;

LO2. Write a short story of your life using Erikson's stages as a framework.

Erik Homburger Erikson

• The Father of Psychosocial Development

• Nationality American/ German

• Fields Developmental Psychology Influences Sigmund Freud/ Anna Freud

Coined the term Lifespan Development

Austrian psychoanalyst. With Anna’s encouragement, he began to study child

psychoanalysis at the Vienna Psychoanalytic Institute.

• He studied groups of Aboriginal children to learn about the influence of society

and culture on child development. From this, he developed a number of theories,

the most

famous being his psychosocial development.

• He believed that humans have to resolve different conflicts as they progress

through each stage of development in the life cycle.

• Erikson ‘s theory consists of eight stages of development. Each stage is

characterized by a different conflict that must be resolved by the individual. If a

person is unable to resolve a conflict at a particular stage, they will be confronting

and struggle with it later in life.

Elements

 Ego Identity- Ego identity is developed by human interaction and how an

individual becomes more conscious of themselves and their surroundings.

 Ego Strength- Ego strength deals with an individual becoming competent

in different areas life, by becoming competent in life they feel more

important.

 Conflict- Conflict is a turning point during which an individual struggle to

attain some psychological quality. Sometimes referred to as a psychosocial

works toward success or failure.

• Best known theories of personality and development

• Personality develops in a series of predetermined stages.

• Psychosocial, and not psychosexual.

• In each stage of development conflicts acts as turning points in life

 Personality- consists of all the relatively stable and distinctive styles of

thought, behavior and emotional responses that characterize a person ‘s

adaptations to surrounding situations.

 Psychosexual Development- Refers to the emotional and psychological

changes across the life cycle that occurs in the context of the individual ‘s

social environment.

8 Stages of Psychosocial Development

The first stage of Erikson's theory of psychosocial development occurs

between birth and 1 year of age and is the most fundamental stage in life. Because

an infant is utterly dependent, developing trust is based on the dependability and

quality of the child's caregivers.

At this point in development, the child is utterly dependent upon adult caregivers

for everything they need to survive including food, love, warmth, safety, and

nurturing. If a caregiver fails to provide adequate care and love, the child will come

to feel that they cannot trust or depend upon the adults in their life.

Outcomes

If a child successfully develops trust, the child will feel safe and secure in the

world.2 Caregivers who are inconsistent, emotionally unavailable, or rejecting

contribute to feelings of mistrust in the children under their care. Failure to develop

trust will result in fear and a belief that the world is inconsistent and unpredictable.

During the first stage of psychosocial development, children develop a sense of

trust when caregivers provide reliability, care, and affection. A lack of this will lead

to mistrust.

No child is going to develop a sense of 100% trust or 100% doubt. Erikson believed

that successful development was all about striking a balance between the two
opposing sides. When this happens, children acquire hope, which Erikson

described as an openness to experience tempered by some wariness that danger

may be present.

Subsequent work by researchers including John Bowlby and Mary Ainsworth

demonstrated the importance of trust in forming healthy attachments during

childhood and adulthood.

Stage 2: Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt

The second stage of Erikson's theory of psychosocial development takes

place during early childhood and is focused on children developing a greater sense

of personal control.

The Role of Independence

At this point in development, children are just starting to gain a little independence.

They are starting to perform basic actions on their own and making simple

decisions about what they prefer. By allowing kids to make choices and gain

control, parents and caregivers can help children develop a sense of autonomy.2
Potty Training

The essential theme of this stage is that children need to develop a sense of

personal control over physical skills and a sense of independence. Potty training

plays an important role in helping children develop this sense of autonomy.

Like Freud, Erikson believed that toilet training was a vital part of this process.

However, Erikson's reasoning was quite different than that of Freud's. Erikson

believed that learning to control one's bodily functions leads to a feeling of control

and a sense of independence. Other important events include gaining more control

over food choices, toy preferences, and clothing selection.

Outcomes

Children who struggle and who are shamed for their accidents may be left without

a sense of personal control. Success during this stage of psychosocial

development leads to feelings of autonomy; failure results in feelings of shame and

doubt.

Finding Balance

Children who successfully complete this stage feel secure and confident, while

those who do not are left with a sense of inadequacy and self-doubt. Erikson

believed that achieving a balance between autonomy and shame and doubt would
lead to will, which is the belief that children can act with intention, within reason

and limits.

Stage 3: Initiative vs. Guilt

The third stage of psychosocial development takes place during the

preschool years. At this point in psychosocial development, children begin to

assert their power and control over the world through directing play and other

social interactions.

Children who are successful at this stage feel capable and able to lead others.

Those who fail to acquire these skills are left with a sense of guilt, self-doubt, and

lack of initiative.

Outcomes

The major theme of the third stage of psychosocial development is that children

need to begin asserting control and power over the environment. Success in this

stage leads to a sense of purpose. Children who try to exert too much power

experience disapproval, resulting in a sense of guilt.

When an ideal balance of individual initiative and a willingness to work with others

is achieved, the ego quality known as purpose emerges.

The fourth psychosocial stage takes place during the early school years from

approximately ages 5 to 11. Through social interactions, children begin to develop

a sense of pride in their accomplishments and abilities.

Children need to cope with new social and academic demands. Success leads to

a sense of competence, while failure results in feelings of inferiority.

Outcomes

Children who are encouraged and commended by parents and teachers develop

a feeling of competence and belief in their skills. Those who receive little or no

encouragement from parents, teachers, or peers will doubt their abilities to be

successful.

Successfully finding a balance at this stage of psychosocial development leads to

the strength known as competence, in which children develop a belief in their

abilities to handle the tasks set before them.

Stage 5: Identity vs. Confusion

The fifth psychosocial stage takes place during the often turbulent teenage

years. This stage plays an essential role in developing a sense of personal identity
which will continue to influence behavior and development for the rest of a person's

life. Teens need to develop a sense of self and personal identity. Success leads to

an ability to stay true to yourself, while failure leads to role confusion and a weak

sense of self.

During adolescence, children explore their independence and develop a sense of

self.2 Those who receive proper encouragement and reinforcement through

personal exploration will emerge from this stage with a strong sense of self and

feelings of independence and control. Those who remain unsure of their beliefs

and desires will feel insecure and confused about themselves and the future.

What Is Identity?

When psychologists talk about identity, they are referring to all of the beliefs,

ideals, and values that help shape and guide a person's behavior. Completing this

stage successfully leads to fidelity, which Erikson described as an ability to live by

society's standards and expectations.

While Erikson believed that each stage of psychosocial development was

important, he placed a particular emphasis on the development of ego identity.

Ego identity is the conscious sense of self that we develop through social

interaction and becomes a central focus during the identity versus confusion stage

of psychosocial development.
According to Erikson, our ego identity constantly changes due to new experiences

and information we acquire in our daily interactions with others. As we have new

experiences, we also take on challenges that can help or hinder the development

of identity.

Why Identity Is Important

Our personal identity gives each of us an integrated and cohesive sense of self

that endures through our lives. Our sense of personal identity is shaped by our

experiences and interactions with others, and it is this identity that helps guide our

actions, beliefs, and behaviors as we age.

Stage 6: Intimacy vs. Isolation

Young adults need to form intimate, loving relationships with other people.

Success leads to strong relationships, while failure results in loneliness and

isolation. This stage covers the period of early adulthood when people are

exploring personal relationships.2

Erikson believed it was vital that people develop close, committed relationships

with other people. Those who are successful at this step will form relationships that

are enduring and secure.

Remember that each step builds on skills learned in previous steps. Erikson

believed that a strong sense of personal identity was important for developing

intimate relationships. Studies have demonstrated that those with a poor sense of

self tend to have less committed relationships and are more likely to struggler with

emotional isolation, loneliness, and depression.

Successful resolution of this stage results in the virtue known as love. It is marked

by the ability to form lasting, meaningful relationships with other people.

Stage 7: Generativity vs. Stagnation

Adults need to create or nurture things that will outlast them, often by having

children or creating a positive change that benefits other people. Success leads to

feelings of usefulness and accomplishment, while failure results in shallow

involvement in the world.

During adulthood, we continue to build our lives, focusing on our career and family.

Those who are successful during this phase will feel that they are contributing to

the world by being active in their home and community.2 Those who fail to attain

this skill will feel unproductive and uninvolved in the world.

of your accomplishments, watching your children grow into adults, and developing

a sense of unity with your life partner are important accomplishments of this stage.

Stage 8: Integrity vs. Despair

The final psychosocial stage occurs during old age and is focused on

reflecting back on life.2 At this point in development, people look back on the events

of their lives and determine if they are happy with the life that they lived or if they

regret the things they did or didn't do.

Erikson's theory differed from many others because it addressed development

throughout the entire lifespan, including old age. Older adults need to look back on

life and feel a sense of fulfillment. Success at this stage leads to feelings of

wisdom, while failure results in regret, bitterness, and despair.

At this stage, people reflect back on the events of their lives and take stock. Those

who look back on a life they feel was well-lived will feel satisfied and ready to face

the end of their lives with a sense of peace. Those who look back and only feel

regret will instead feel fearful that their lives will end without accomplishing the

things they feel they should have.

Those who are unsuccessful during this stage will feel that their life has been

wasted and may experience many regrets. The person will be left with feelings of

bitterness and despair.

Those who feel proud of their accomplishments will feel a sense of integrity.

Successfully completing this phase means looking back with few regrets and a

general feeling of satisfaction. These individuals will attain wisdom, even when

confronting death.

Reference:

https://www.verywellmind.com/erik-eriksons-stages-of-psychosocial-

development-2795740

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