Erikson's Psycho-Social Theory of Development

A complete set of vocabulary flashcards covering Erikson's 8 stages of psychosocial development, including the virtues, maladaptations, and malignancies associated with each stage.

Erik Erikson

A German-American child psychoanalyst ($1902-1994$) who proposed a lifespan model of development emphasizing social relationships.

Psychosocial

A term derived from psychological (mind, brain, personality) and social (external relationships and environment), representing the heart of Erikson's theory.

Epigenetic Principle

The principle that personality develops through a predetermined unfolding in eight stages, where progress depends on success or failure in previous stages, likened to a rosebud unfolding.

Psychosocial Crisis

A central conflict or challenge at each of the eight stages of life that must be resolved for healthy personality growth.

Contrary Dispositions

Erikson's term for the two opposing emotional forces involved in each psychosocial crisis.

Syntonic

The first-listed positive or healthy disposition in a psychosocial crisis, such as Trust.

Dystonic

The second-listed negative or challenging disposition in a psychosocial crisis, such as Mistrust.

Virtue

A psychosocial strength or capacity carried away from a stage if the crisis is managed well and a healthy balance is achieved.

Maladaptation

A result of managing a stage poorly by having too much of the positive (syntonic) aspect and too little of the negative (dystonic) aspect.

Malignancy

The worse result of managing a stage poorly, involving too little of the positive (syntonic) aspect and too much of the negative (dystonic) aspect.

Trust vs. Mistrust

Stage 1 (Birth to $18$ months) focused on whether caregivers provide familiarity and consistency, resulting in the virtue of Hope.

Sensory Maladjustment

The maladaptation of Stage 1 where a person is overly trusting or gullible, unable to believe anyone would mean them harm.

Withdrawal

The malignancy of Stage 1 characterized by depression, paranoia, and possibly psychosis.

Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt

Stage 2 ($18$ months to $3$ years) where the child develops independence and self-control, resulting in the virtue of Will.

Impulsiveness

The maladaptation of Stage 2; a shameless willfulness that leads to jumping into things without considering one's abilities.

Compulsiveness

The malignancy of Stage 2 characterized by the inability to stop a behavior.

Initiative vs. Guilt

Stage 3 ($3-6$ years) where the child explores through play and imagination, resulting in the virtue of Purpose.

Ruthlessness

The maladaptation of Stage 3; being heartless or without mercy, where goals matter more than people; extreme form is sociopathy.

Inhibition

The malignancy of Stage 3; holding oneself back from action due to fear, shyness, or caution.

Industry vs. Inferiority

Stage 4 ($6-12$ years) where the child masters skills through effort and peer comparison, resulting in the virtue of Competence.

Narrow Virtuosity

The maladaptation of Stage 4; an unhealthy focus on just one area of skill without allowing for broader development.

Inertia

The malignancy of Stage 4, which includes those suffering from inferiority complexes and feeling they are not good enough.

Identity vs. Role Confusion

Stage 5 ($12-18$ or $20$ years) where adolescents explore personal values and goals, resulting in the virtue of Fidelity.

Psychosocial Moratorium

Erikson's suggestion for adolescents to take a "time out" to get to know themselves before committing to success.

Fanaticism

The maladaptation of Stage 5; being so involved in a particular role or subculture that there is no room for tolerance.

Repudiation

The malignancy of Stage 5 where a lack of identity leads to destructive activities or withdrawal into psychotic fantasies.

Fidelity

The virtue of Stage 5, defined as loyalty and the ability to live by society's standards despite their imperfections.

Intimacy vs. Isolation

Stage 6 (Young Adulthood, $18-30$ or $40$ years) focused on forming close, loving relationships, resulting in the virtue of Love.

Promiscuity

The maladaptation of Stage 6; the tendency to become intimate too freely and without depth.

Exclusion

The malignancy of Stage 6; isolating oneself from love and community and developing hatefulness in compensation for loneliness.

Generativity vs. Stagnation

Stage 7 (Middle Adulthood, $30-60$ or $40-65$ years) involving contributing to the next generation, resulting in the virtue of Care.

Overextension

The maladaptation of Stage 7; being so generative that one no longer allows time for rest, relaxation, or oneself.

Rejectivity

The malignancy of Stage 7; having too little generativity and too much stagnation, leading to no contribution to society.

Ego Integrity vs. Despair

Stage 8 (Late Adulthood, $60+$ years) where an elder reflects on life choices, resulting in the virtue of Wisdom.

Presumption

The maladaptation of Stage 8; assuming ego integrity without facing old age's difficulties and believing one alone is right.

Disdain

The malignancy of Stage 8; a contempt for life, either one's own or everyone's.