PSYC332 - Ch 5 P3 (Erik Erickson)

Erik Erickson

Erik Erikson

believed ego is relatively powerful, independent part of personality

unlike freud, thought persons personality developed throughout life (not stop in childhood)

develop personalities through interaction w/ others

• ego psychology - erikson’s approach to personality

  • principal function of the ego is to establish & maintain a sense of identity

  • identity crisis: confusion & despair we feel when we lack a strong sense of who we are

Ego psychology

eriksons approach to personality

• principal function of ego is to establish & maintain sense of identity

• identity crisis

personality development throughout life cycle

eriksons stages of personality development continue from infancy to old age

• crises

• inability to pass one stage prohibits next stage

crises

turning points encountered by ppl in personality development

• provides 2 directions in which to proceed

• how a person resolves crisis determines direction of their personality development

Basic trust vs mistrust

1st stage

• child whose needs are met develop a sense of basic trust

• infants who never receive the loving care they need develop sense of basic mistrust

Autonomy vs shame & doubt

2nd stage

• Autonomy= allowing children to manipulate & control what they encounter

  • ppl w/ sense of autonomy are confident

• overprotection of children hinders development & lead to shame & doubt

  • children become dependent on others

Initiative vs guilt

3rd stage

• children who:

  • organize & participate in social activities develop a sense of initiative

  • lack initiative feel guilt & resignation

industry & inferiority

4th stage, school age (5 yrs)

• industry: belief in ones strength & abilities

  • develops when children experience success

• inferiority: lack of appreciation for ones talents/skills

  • develops when children encounter failure

identity vs role confusion

5th stage

• ppl w/ sense of identity make decisions about personal values & religious Qs

• failing to develop strong sense of identity leads to role confusion

intimacy vs isolation

6th stage

• young ppl search for special relationship to develop intimacy & grow emotionally

• ppl who fail to develop intimacy face emotional isolation

generativity vs stagnation

7th stage

• middle age individs develop concern for guiding next generation

  • parents raise kids

  • adults w/o kids play active role in raising nieces & nephews

• adults who fail to develop sense of generativity suffer from sense of stagnation

ego integrity vs despair

8th stage (last)

• ppl who:

  • look back on lives w/ satisfaction develop sense of integrity

  • fail to develop sense of integrity fall into despair & express contempt for others