Erikson's theory of human development

basic trust vs mistrust

1. Can we trust world? Is it safe?

2. Learn if we can trust someone now, we can trust others in future

3. Fear → doubt and mistrust

(infancy (1-2yrs))

autonomy vs shame & doubt

early childhood (2-4 yrs)

1. Is it okay to be me?

2. Allowed to discover ourselves → self-confidence

3. If not → shame and self-doubt

initiative vs guilt

 (preschool age (4-5 yrs))

1. Is it okay for me to do what I do?

2. Encouraged → follow interests

3. Held back → guilt

industry vs inferiority

(school age (5-12 yrs))

1. Can we make it in this world?

2. Recognition → hard-working

3. Too much neg feedback → inferiority and lose of motivation

identity vs role confusion

(adolescence (13-19 yrs))

1. Learn we have diff social roles, identity crisis

2. Allowed to explore → find identity

3. Pushed to conform → role confusion, feeling lost

intimacy vs isolation

(early adulthood (20 - 40 yrs))

1. Can we love?

2. Slowly understand who we are

3. Long-term commitment → confident, happy

4. Cannot form intimate relationships → isolation and loneliness

generativity vs stagnation

(adulthood (40-65 yrs))

1. Think we’re able to lead next generation → happy

2. Didn't resolve earlier conflicts → pessimism and stagnation

ego integrity vs despair

(maturity (65-death))

1. How have I done?

2. Think we did well → contentment and integrity

3. If not → despair, grumpiness, and bitterness