Erik Erikson Study Notes

Erik Erikson's Background

A psychologist born in Germany, trained by Anna Freud, and known for his lifespan approach to development. Which concept is most associated with his theoretical framework?

Epigenetic Principle

A child's ability to walk develops only after they can crawl, and then they can run. This progression, where each stage has a specific time of ascendancy building on the previous one, best illustrates which of Erikson's concepts?

Erikson's Psychosocial Stages - General

Unlike Freud, Erikson's developmental theory emphasizes the influence of social interactions and cultural factors throughout the entire lifespan. What is the fundamental difference in focus compared to Freud's psychosexual stages?

Trust vs. Mistrust (Infancy)

A baby cries and their caregiver consistently responds by feeding or comforting them, leading the baby to feel secure. What positive outcome is the baby developing in this Eriksonian stage?

Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt (Early Childhood)

A toddler insists on dressing themselves, even if it results in mismatched clothes. Their parents encourage this independent effort. What is the primary psychosocial crisis being resolved here?

Initiative vs. Guilt (Play Age)

A preschooler enthusiastically plans a game with their friends, assigning roles and leading the activity. This demonstrates the healthy development of which Eriksonian virtue?

Industry vs. Inferiority (School Age)

A 9-year-old struggles with math homework but perseveres and eventually masters the concept, feeling a sense of accomplishment. What is the key psychosocial task for this age group?

Identity vs. Role Confusion (Adolescence)

A teenager explores different friend groups, interests, and potential career paths to understand who they are and what they want in life. What developmental challenge are they navigating?

Intimacy vs. Isolation (Young Adulthood)

A person in their mid-20s forms deep, committed relationships and shares their life with others, fostering a sense of connection. What successful resolution are they demonstrating in this stage?

Generativity vs. Stagnation (Adulthood)

A middle-aged individual mentors younger colleagues, raises children, and volunteers in their community, feeling a sense of contributing to the next generation. What is the positive outcome of this stage?

Integrity vs. Despair (Old Age)

An elderly person looks back on their life with a sense of fulfillment and acceptance, feeling content with their choices and experiences. According to Erikson, what virtue have they achieved?

Gerotranscendence (potential ninth stage)

An 85-year-old reflects on their life, accepting past regrets and mortality, and discovers a renewed sense of connection to kinship and spirituality. What concept describes this potential later-life development?

Strength of Trust vs. Mistrust

When infants successfully navigate reliable care, they develop a positive expectation about the world and future. This emergent characteristic is known as what strength?

Strength of Autonomy vs. Shame/Doubt

A child's determination to do things independently, even if they struggle, demonstrates the development of what vital strength according to Erikson?

Strength of Initiative vs. Guilt

A child who successfully takes on new challenges and directs their own activities, without excessive guilt, develops a sense of focused intention. What strength is this?

Strength of Industry vs. Inferiority

When children master academic and social skills, they develop a belief in their own abilities. This positive self-efficacy is known as what strength?

Strength of Identity vs. Role Confusion

A teenager who successfully forms a stable sense of self and commits to personal values after exploring alternatives exhibits loyalty to their true self and others. What strength is this?

Strength of Intimacy vs. Isolation

The capacity to form deep, reciprocal, and meaningful emotional bonds with others is the hallmark virtue of successful resolution in what Eriksonian stage?

Strength of Generativity vs. Stagnation

A middle-aged adult's active concern for guiding the next generation and contributing to society, often through parenting or mentoring, signifies the development of which strength?

Strength of Integrity vs. Despair

An older adult's ability to reflect on their life with a sense of peace, acceptance of its entirety, and an understanding of its meaning, embodies what ultimate strength?

Pseudospeciation

When one group of people defines another group as fundamentally different and inferior, treating them as if they belong to a different (and lesser) species, what Eriksonian concept is being exhibited, often leading to conflict and prejudice?

Identity Achiever

After exploring various interests and career options, Sarah has a clear understanding of her values and goals, and is confidently pursuing a degree in environmental science. What identity status does Sarah fit into?

Moratorium (Identity Status)

David is in college but isn't sure about his major. He's actively taking different courses, joining various clubs, and engaging in deep philosophical discussions about his future, but hasn't made a commitment. Which identity status best describes David?

Identity Diffusion

Alex is 22, has no clear career goals, and drifts between part-time jobs without direction, often avoiding decisions about his future. He doesn't seem to have explored many options or committed to any sense of self. What identity status is Alex likely in?

Foreclosure (Identity Status)

Maria decided to become a doctor because her parents are both doctors and strongly encouraged it since she was a child. She never seriously considered other career paths, simply adopting her family's expectation. Which identity status best describes Maria?

Psychosocial Balance

The overall healthy resolution of the conflicts in Erikson's developmental stages, leading to a sense of well-being, trust, and integrity throughout life, is referred to as which overarching concept?

Correlation of Ego Integrity and Fear of Death

An individual who has successfully achieved ego integrity in old age is often observed to experience a lower level of this negative emotion. What is the specific life outcome that is negatively correlated with ego integrity?

Psychoanalytic Social Psychology

This field examines how factors like cultural norms, societal expectations, and group dynamics fundamentally influence an individual's personality development and the resolution of psychological conflicts. What is this subfield called?