Life and Career Skills

Erik Erikson

• Developmental Psychologist

• “Psychosocial Developmental theory”

Psychosocial Developmental Theory

Human development happens throughout the entire lifespan. At every stage of life, a person faces a conflict that influences their personality, behavior, and relationships. If the conflict is resolved positively, the individual gains a strong personal virtue. If not, the person may struggle with emotional or social difficulties. Successful development depends on both personal growth and social experiences, and each stage builds the foundation for the next.

INFANCY

• 0-1

• Trust vs. Mistrust

• Hope

EARLY CHILDHOOD

• 1-3

• Autonomy vs Shame

• Will

PLAY AGE

• 3-6

• Initiative vs Guilt

• Purpose

SCHOOL AGE

• 7-11

• Industry vs Inferiority

• Competence

ADOLESCENCE

• 12-18

• Identity vs Confusion

• Fidelity

EARLY ADULTHOOD

• 19-29

• Initimacy vs Isolation

• Love

MIDDLE AGE

• 30-64

• Generativity vs Stagnation

• Care

OLD AGE

• 65-Death

• Integrity vs Despair

• Wisdom

James Marcia

• Four Identity Statuses

Four Identity Statuses

• Explains that adolescence develop their identity in different ways.

• Describes how people expo love different options and make commitments about who they are.

• The statuses are not permanent. A person may move from one status to another as they gain new experiences and mature.

Two significant Factors of the Four Identity Statuses

Exploration

Commitment

Diffusion

• Low commitment and low exploration

• Occurs when a person has not explored different choices and has not made any commitments to goals, beliefs, or future plans.

Foreclosure

• High commitment and low exploration

• Occurs when a person makes a commitment without exploring other possibilities.

Achievement

• High commitment and high exploration

• Occurs when a person has explored different possibilities and made meaningful commitments based on personal values, interests, and goals.

Moratorium

• High exploration and low commitment

• Occurs when a person is actively exploring different options but has not yet made a final commitment.

Resilience

The process and outcome of successfully adapting to difficult or challenging life experiences.

Protective Factors

Positive conditions or influences that help individuals cope with challenges, enhance resilience, and promote. healthy development.

Risk Factors

Negative conditions or influences that increase the likelihood of adverse outcomes.

Risk and Protective Factors Exist Across

Different Layers of Life

A person‘s behavior is rarely caused by only one factor. Instead, it results from the interaction of influences from the individual, family, peers, and the larger community.

Static Factors

Relatively permanent or

cannot easily be changed.

Temporal Factors

Changes over time.

Risk and Protective Factors Are Like

"Stackable Blocks“

Every protective factor adds another layer of

support, while every risk factor increases

vulnerability.