Erikson’s Psychosocial Development Theory: Stages, Virtues, and Support

What is Erikson's theory of psychosocial development focused on?

The integration of biological and psychosocial forces in personality functioning, especially during developmental crises.

How does Erikson's view of the ego differ from Freud's?

Erikson sees the ego as a powerful agency that helps resolve inner conflicts and environmental challenges, while Freud views the ego as weak compared to the id.

What is the epigenetic principle in Erikson's theory?

It states that human development occurs in a genetically determined sequence of stages that is universal and unfolds in a predetermined order.

What happens if a stage in Erikson's psychosocial development is not successfully completed?

It can lead to a reduced ability to complete further stages, resulting in an unhealthy personality and sense of self.

What is the outcome of successful completion of each stage in Erikson's theory?

It results in a healthy personality and the acquisition of basic virtues.

What does ego strength refer to in Erikson's theory?

Ego strength refers to the virtues or strengths that emerge from successfully resolving crises at various developmental stages.

What is the first stage of Erikson's psychosocial development?

Oral-sensory stage: Basic trust versus Mistrust, occurring in the first year of life.

What is the ego strength associated with the oral-sensory stage?

Hope.

What is the main issue during the muscular-anal stage?

The conflict between autonomy and shame and doubt, primarily related to toilet training.

What ego strength develops during the muscular-anal stage?

Will.

What is the third stage of Erikson's psychosocial development?

Locomotor-genital stage: Initiative versus guilt, occurring at ages 4 and 5.

What is the outcome of developing initiative in the locomotor-genital stage?

Children feel secure in their ability to lead others and make decisions.

What can happen if a child experiences too much guilt during the locomotor-genital stage?

They may become slow to interact with others and inhibit their creativity.

What is the fourth stage of Erikson's psychosocial development?

Latency stage: Industry versus inferiority, occurring between ages 6 and 12.

What is the primary focus of children during the latency stage?

Developing a sense of competence and achievement in skills and tasks.

What can result from a lack of support during the latency stage?

Feelings of inferiority and inadequacy in skills.

How does Erikson's theory view the resolution of crises?

Crises can be resolved successfully at a later time, not just during the designated stage.

What role do parents play in a child's development according to Erikson?

Parental responses significantly influence the outcomes of each developmental stage.

What is the significance of virtues in Erikson's theory?

Virtues are human qualities that emerge from successfully resolving the crises associated with developmental stages.

What is the primary focus during the latency stage?

The focus shifts from home to school life, with peer groups gaining significance.

What is the ego strength associated with the latency stage?

Competence.

What happens if children are encouraged during the latency stage?

They feel industrious (competent) and confident in their ability to achieve goals.

What can happen if a child's initiative is not encouraged in the latency stage?

The child may feel inferior and doubt their abilities.

What is the important event at the latency stage according to Erikson?

Attendance at school.

What is the fifth stage of Erikson's psychosocial development?

Adolescence: Identity versus role confusion, ages 13 - 19.

What is the main task during the adolescence stage?

To search for a sense of self and personal identity.

What are the two identities involved in the adolescence stage?

Sexual identity and occupational identity.

What is an identity crisis?

A developmental turning point during adolescence where choices need to be made about career, relationships, and ideology.

What is the ego strength associated with the adolescence stage?

Fidelity.

What can result from an unresolved identity crisis?

Negative identity, leading to hostility toward offered roles.

What is the sixth stage of Erikson's psychosocial development?

Young adulthood: Intimacy versus isolation, ages 20 - 24.

What is the major conflict during young adulthood?

Forming intimate, loving relationships.

What does intimacy involve according to Erikson?

The ability to establish close relationships and abide by commitments.

What is the ego strength associated with young adulthood?

Love.

What is the seventh stage of Erikson's psychosocial development?

Middle adulthood: Generativity versus stagnation, ages 25 - 64.

What does generativity refer to?

Making your mark on the world through creating or nurturing things that will outlast an individual.

What can lead to stagnation in middle adulthood?

Lack of productivity, boredom, and interpersonal impoverishment.

What is the ego strength associated with middle adulthood?

Care.

What is the final stage of Erikson's psychosocial development?

Late adulthood: Ego Integrity versus despair, ages 65 to death.

What is ego integrity?

Feeling that one's life has had positive meaning and worth.

What negative outcome can occur in late adulthood?

Despair, involving fear of death and viewing life as a failure.

What is the role of reflection in late adulthood?

Intense reflection and reminiscence about one's life.

What happens if individuals see their lives as unproductive according to Erikson?

They may feel guilt about their past and develop despair, leading to depression and hopelessness.

What is ego strength in Erikson's theory?

Wisdom, characterized by a detached concern with life and acceptance of death.

How do wise people experience late life according to Erikson?

They experience both ego integrity and despair as alternating states that need to be balanced.

What is one positive evaluation of Erikson's theory?

It extends personality development across the lifespan, recognizing middle and late adulthood as significant for personal growth.

What is a criticism of Erikson's theory regarding development?

It is vague about the causes of development and lacks a universal mechanism for crisis resolution.

What are the four Identity Statuses proposed by James Marcia?

Identity diffusion, foreclosure, moratorium, and identity achievement.

What does identity diffusion refer to?

A lack of firm commitments and not actively being in crisis.

What characterizes the foreclosure identity status?

Individuals have never experienced a crisis but have made firm commitments to goals, beliefs, and values.

What is the moratorium identity status?

A state of crisis where individuals are actively considering alternatives to make decisions.

What does identity achievement entail?

Undergoing a period of crisis and developing firm commitments as a result.

What is ethnic identity according to Jean Phinney?

A sense of belonging and commitment to a group sharing a common heritage, knowledge, attitudes, and values.

What is bicultural identity?

Having positive attitudes toward both one's own ethnic group and the majority group.

What criteria did Jacob Orlofsky use to assess intimacy?

Close relationships with friends, enduring heterosexual relationships, and the depth of those relationships.

What are the six intimacy statuses identified by Orlofsky?

Intimate, preintimate, stereotyped, pseudointimate, isolated, and merger individuals.

What is the definition of intimate individuals?

Those with deep relationships and enduring, committed heterosexual relationships.

What characterizes preintimate individuals?

They have close emotional ties but are ambivalent about committing to enduring love relationships.

What is the difference between stereotyped and pseudointimate individuals?

Stereotyped individuals have many superficial relationships, while pseudointimate individuals have superficial relationships but are in enduring commitments.

What is the significance of Erikson's psychohistorical analysis?

It analyzes the lives of historical figures based on his theory of ego development.

What techniques did Erikson use in assessment?

Egalitarian and personal approaches, disciplined subjectivity, transference, free association, and dream analysis.

How did Erikson interpret transference and dream analysis?

In psychosocial terms rather than sexual.

What is a major criticism of Erikson's theory regarding gender differences?

It is poorly supported and based on ambiguous terminology and incomplete descriptions.

What is the role of crisis in Marcia's theory of identity development?

Crisis is a time when values and choices are reevaluated, impacting identity formation.

How does Erikson's theory view the later periods of life?

As active and significant times of personal growth rather than irrelevant.

What does the term 'ego integrity' refer to in Erikson's theory?

A sense of fulfillment and acceptance of one's life and choices.

What is the impact of Erikson's theory on psychology?

It has reshaped the understanding of psychosocial development across the lifespan.