Ex 03: flashcards for chapter 24 (Erik Erikson lifespan development)

psychosocial theory (FINAL)

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

connectedness (FINAL)

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 (FINAL)

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

trust vs. mistrust (FINAL)

(age 0-12 months). 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 (FINAL)

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 (FINAL)

a lab technique for studying infant and toddler attachment style. It involves (a) an unpredictable but brief disappearance of the caregiver as well as (b) the caregiver's return. How will the infant respond?

secure base

attachment theorists use this term to mean that, ideally, infants and toddlers use their caregivers as an emotionally safe place, from which they explore the world.

insecure attachment style (FINAL)

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 (aka anxious insecure) (FINAL)

an insecure infant attachment style characterized by chronic worry about abandonment, especially in difficult situations. Kids with this worldview are very hard to soothe.

anxious-avoidant (aka insecure avoidant) (FINAL)

a defensive infant attachment style that involves showing little distress when a caregiver disappears (or is nonresponsive), coupled with an apparent lack of interest in the caregiver if care is offered

hurdle race metaphor (FINAL)

an analogy for understanding Erikson's psychosocial theory of human development. If you safely clear early hurdles in life, you're in better shape to clear later ones.

autonomy vs. shame & doubt (FINAL)

(toddlerhood = age 12-36 months) Erikson's second stage -- when kids figure out what they can and cannot do. When toddlers say "Mine!" or "I do it!," they're trying to have control or autonomy.

initiative vs. guilt (FINAL)

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

industry vs. inferiority (FINAL)

(middle childhood = 6-12). In Erikson's fourth stage, kids seek mastery by trying to develop complex skills at things like math, sports, or music. If they don't succeed, or think they compare poorly with others, kids may 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 (FINAL)

(adolescence = 12-18). Erikson's fifth stage. In this stage, teens begin to ponder exactly who they are and what this means for the future.

intimacy vs. isolation (FINAL)

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

generativity vs. self-absorption (FINAL)

(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 (FINAL)

(late adulthood = age 60+). This is Erikson's eighth and last stage: Older adults realize that the end of life is near -- and ask if their life has been worthwhile. This very often means caring deeply about connectedness.