Psychosocial Stages of Development Flashcards

These vocabulary flashcards cover Erik Erikson's eight stages of psychosocial development, including their central conflicts, key activities, and resulting virtues.

Psychosocial

A term where "psycho" refers to inner psychology, behavior, and thought (relating with self) and "social" refers to relationships.

Erik Erikson

A German American psychologist who experienced an identity crisis and proposed that personality develops as a continuous process over a lifetime.

Epigenetic principle

A concept stating that developmental stages occur in a predetermined, sequential order.

Virtues

Basic strengths or qualities that develop after successfully resolving the central conflict of each stage.

Trust vs. Mistrust

The conflict during Infancy (key activity: feeding and caregiving) where a consistent, reliable caregiver develops a sense of trust in the child.

Hope

The virtue developed during Infancy; failure results in an anxious individual who views the world as unreliable.

Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt

The conflict during Early Childhood (key activity: learning self-care) where children explore their environment to gain independence.

Will

The virtue of acting independently developed during Early Childhood; failure leads to overdependence and low self-esteem.

Initiative vs. Guilt

The conflict during Play Age (key activity: exploration and asking "why") where encouragement fosters a willingness to try things.

Purpose

The virtue developed during Play Age; failure caused by criticism results in the child feeling like a nuisance and prevents creativity.

Industry vs. Inferiority

The conflict during School Age (key activity: schoolwork and peer comparison) where children learn productivity and seek to demonstrate competence.

Competence

The virtue developed during School Age characterized by confidence in skills; failure undermines academic and social confidence.

Identity vs. Role Confusion

The conflict during Adolescence (key activity: experimenting with roles) centered on the question "who am i?".

Fidelity

The virtue of remaining true to self developed during Adolescence; failure leads to insecurity, confusion, and rebellion.

Intimacy vs. Isolation

The conflict during Early Adulthood (key activity: romantic relationships and deep friendships) involving the willingness to be open, vulnerable, and committed.

Love

The virtue developed during Early Adulthood; failure leads to alienation and difficulty maintaining relationships.

Generativity vs. Stagnation

The conflict during Middle Age (key activity: parenting and career) focused on the next generation and being productive.

Care

The virtue developed during Middle Age; failure leads to a lack of personal growth or a midlife crisis.

Ego Integrity vs. Despair

The conflict during Old Age (key activity: life review) involving acceptance of mortality and a sense of satisfaction.

Wisdom

The virtue developed during Old Age; failure results in depression, hopelessness, regret, and fear of death.