Erik Erikson lifespan development

psychosocial theory

Erik Erikson's term for his eight-stage theory of how we develop emotionally and interpersonally as well as mentally. Unlike Piaget, Erikson assumed that we continue to change throughout adulthood.

connectedness

the desire to be loved and accepted. One of the two core motivational lenses through which to think about Erikson's 8-stage psychosocial theory of human development

mastery

the desire to develop skills that let you control your life. One of the two core motivational lenses for understanding Erikson's 8-stage psychosocial theory of human development.

trust vs. mistrust

(age 0-1). Erikson's first stage of psychosocial development. Helpless newborns and infants focus heavily on their need for connectedness. They learn whether they can truly trust their caregivers.

secure attachment style

the interpersonal theory of the world that infants develop when they feel they can really trust their caregiver(s). Infants with this view of the world are easily soothed by caregivers when things go wrong.

strange situation

a lab technique for studying infant and toddler attachment style. It involves both the unpredictable but brief disappearance of the infant's caregiver as well as the caregiver's return.

secure base

a term used by attachment theorists to refer to the idea that securely attached infants and toddlers use their caregivers as an emotional refuge or "touchstone" from which they explore the world.

insecure attachment style

an interpersonal theory infants and toddlers possess when they feel they cannot really rely on their caregivers in times of distress. See anxious ambivalent and anxious-avoidant.

anxious-ambivalent

an insecure infant attachment style characterized by chronic worry about abandonment, especially in scary or unfamiliar situations. Kids with this world view are hard to reassure.

anxious-avoidant

an insecure infant attachment style characterized by psychological defensiveness and apparent detachment from one's primary caregiver, even in unfamiliar situations.

hurdle race metaphor

an analogy for understanding how Erik Erikson viewed lifespan human development. Erikson assumed that if you safely clear early hurdles in life, you are in better shape to clear later ones.

autonomy vs. shame & doubt

(toddlerhood: ages 1-3) Erikson's second stage of life. It's when kids strive to see what they can and cannot do. If all goes well, they develop a sense of personal control (mastery) rather than incompetence. As they like to say, "Mine," and "I do it."

initiative vs. guilt

(early childhood = 3-6). In Erikson's third stage of life, kids still care about mastery. But at this age, they can plan ahead in fancy ways - and blame themselves if they think they're failures.

industry vs. inferiority

(middle childhood = 6-12). In Erikson's fourth stage, kids seek mastery by striving to become skillful at complex things like math, sports, and music. If they don't succeed, or think they compare poorly with others, kids feel inferior.

social comparison theory

the theory that we figure out where we stand by checking our own outcomes and performances against those of similar others. This is a big deal in middle childhood and beyond.

identity vs. role confusion

(adolescence = 12-18). Erikson's fifth stage. He felt that once kids reach adolescence, they begin to ponder exactly who they are and what this means for their futures.

intimacy vs. isolation

(early adulthood = age 18-39). Erikson's sixth stage. Connectedness becomes crucial as young adults ask themselves big interpersonal questions like "who loves me?" and "who can I trust?"

generativity vs. self-absorption

(middle adulthood = 40-59). Erikson's seventh stage. Middle-aged adults ask if they're truly helping others or making their marks on the world. They want to achieve something lasting.

ego integrity vs. despair

(late adulthood = age 60+). This is Erikson's eight and final life stage. He proposed that older adults realize that the end of life is near and ask if life was good, if it has been worthwhile. Seniors care deeply about connectedness.