ERIK ERIKSON

 

The Eight Stages of Psychosocial

 

 

 

Erik Erikson was a well rounded person. He studied psychoanalysis and received a certificate in that field. Later he became a teacher and had a small practice in child psychoanalysis. He met Sigmund Freud at a party and became a patient of his wife. Sigmund and Erik am sure had a lot to talk about. Erik believed in Freud's theory, but took it a step farther then what Freud did. Erik's theory covered all of life and became known as the Psychosocial crisis stages. Erik went on to write many books and won the Pulitzer Prize and a national Book Award for his book called Gandhi's Truth.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

THE STAGES

 

             ____NAME                                                                         AGE          

 

Stage 1  Trust vs. Mistrust                                                     Birth to one year

 

The infant will develop a trust with it's mom and dad and feel like the world is a safe place. An infant that doesn't develop that trust because the mom will show constancy or give the infant an secure feel then the infant will show signs of thinking that world is an unstable place and have fear.

 

Stage 2 Autonomy vs. Shame & Doubt                                 Early childhood  Toddler

 

 

Having control is the main focus on this. Erik feels that toilet training is the best way to accomplish this. A child feels they control their choice of toys, food and clothing. When a child completes this then he feels a sense of control, secure and confident. Those who don't feel a sense of inadequacy and self-doubt.

 

Stage 3 Initiative vs. Guilt                                                    Preschool

Children beginning to take some control and use their power in directing play and interacting with others. A child that has completed this task should become a leader or will have good leader skills. A child that has trouble in this task will likely become one that has issues of doubt and no initiative.





Stage 4  Industry vs. Inferiority                                            Early school approximately age 5 to 11

Children begin to build their pride in what they do or accomplish though being socially interacting. Children that are driven or encouraged to do good build confidence in their abilities. Children that don't receive that encouragement being to doubt their abilities.










Stage 5 Identity vs. Role Confusion                                        Adolescent 














Children begin to develop an independence and direction. Children that are encouraged to do this will come out with strong independence and control. Children that don't get the encouragement will become confused and unsure about themselves.



Stage 6 Intimacy vs. Isolation                                               Young adult


This is when young people begin to explore relationships in their lives. Erikson said that it was important that people develop committed relationships with other people. The ones that are successful at doing this will have relationships that become secure and lasting. The ones that don't develop a committed relationship tend to deal with depression and loneness.





Stage 7 Generativity vs. Stagnation                                      Mid-adult 

This is a stage of focusing on our career and family. The ones that accomplish this stage will feel that they contributed to the world and their community. The ones that don't accomplishes this stage will  feel unproductive and uninvolved in the world.






 
Stage 8 Integrity vs. Despair                                                    Late adult




This stage is about looking back on our past life. The ones that can look back and are proud of their life will feel a sense of accomplishments. The ones that can't look back and feel good about their past life will feel a sense of failure.