Erik Erikson

Speciality of Erik Erikson

Psychosocial personality development

Psychosocial personality development

Unconscious conflicts + Interpersonal and social relationships

8 stages of Erikson’s psychosocial theory of personality development

• Infancy (Trust vs. Mistrust)

• Early childhood (Autonomy vs. Shame and doubt)

• Play age (Initiative vs. Guilt)

• School age (Industry vs. Inferiority)

• Adolescence (Identity vs. Role confusion)

• Young adulthood (Intimacy vs. Isolation)

• Adulthood (Generativity vs. Stagnation)

• Maturity (Ego integrity vs. Despair)

Infancy

• Stage 1

• Trust vs. Mistrust

• Birth to 1 years

• A baby's trust in receiving care fosters social attachment and can lead to separation anxiety

• Receiving consistent care, love, and attention, making them feel safe leads to trust

• When caregiving is unreliable or neglectful, leading to feelings of fear and insecurity it leads to mistrust

Early childhood

• Stage 2

• Autonomy vs. Shame and doubt

• 1 to 3 years

• Development of self awareness and identity

• Children test limits to assert independence

• Experience of independence leads to autonomy

• Lack of independence leads to self doubt

Play age

• Stage 3

• Initiative vs. Guilt

• 3 to 6 years

• Children self direct their activities

• Fostering pride and confidence leads to initiative

• Failure to learn can lead to guilt and frustration

School age

• Stage 4

• Industry vs. Inferiority

• 6 to 12

• A critical period for learning and self confidence

• Success promotes motivation which leads to industry

• Struggles and failures can lead to feelings of inferiority

Adolescence

• Stage 5

• Identity vs. Role confusion

• 12 to 20

• An identity crisis marked by peer conformity and self reflection on values, principles, and future goals

• Exploration and support leads to identity

• Lack of exploration or inconsistent guidance leads to role confusion

Young adulthood

• Stage 6

• Intimacy vs Isolation

• 20 to 30 years

• Emotional readiness for lasting relationships leads to intimacy

• Unresolved identity conflicts may lead to isolation

Adulthood

• Stage 7

• Generativity vs Stagnation

• 30 to 65 years

• A desire to nurture the next generation through family and legacy leads to generativity

• Lack of readiness results in stagnation

Maturity

• Stage 8

• Ego integrity vs Despair

• 65 and more years

• Reflecting on life achievements and regrets

• Satisfaction leads to integrity

• Dissatisfaction leads to despair