Erikson's Psychosocial Stages and Personality Development

Trust vs. Mistrust

Conflict in infancy; trust develops when needs are met; mistrust when caregivers are inconsistent. Basic strength: Hope.

Autonomy vs. Shame & Doubt

Child develops independence; shame develops when autonomy is punished. Basic strength: Will.

Initiative vs. Guilt

Child takes initiative in activities; guilt develops when initiative is discouraged. Basic strength: Purpose.

Industry vs. Inferiority

Child develops competence in tasks; inferiority develops when efforts are not supported. Basic strength: Competence.

Identity vs. Role Confusion

Adolescents form identity; confusion occurs when they lack direction. Basic strength: Fidelity.

Intimacy vs. Isolation

Ability to form intimate relationships; isolation results from fear of closeness. Basic strength: Love.

Generativity vs. Stagnation

Concern for guiding next generation; stagnation results from self‑absorption. Basic strength: Care.

Integrity vs. Despair

Life review with satisfaction leads to integrity; regret leads to despair. Basic strength: Wisdom.

Epigenetic Principle

Personality develops in a predetermined sequence of stages across the lifespan.

Crisis (Erikson)

A turning point requiring adaptive or maladaptive resolution.

Basic Strength (Erikson)

Virtue gained from successfully resolving each psychosocial crisis.

Identity Diffusion

No crisis and no commitment; unclear sense of identity.

Foreclosure

Commitment without crisis; adopts others' values without exploration.

Moratorium

In crisis but not yet committed; actively exploring.

Identity Achievement

Crisis resolved and commitments made.

Isolated Adult

Status with withdrawal from friendships and romantic relationships.

Stereotyped Adult

Many relationships but shallow and lacking depth.

Pre‑intimate Adult

Deep friendships but hesitant to commit romantically.

Pseudo‑intimate Adult

Committed romantic relationship but lacking emotional depth.

Merger Adult

Overly dependent; identity absorbed in relationship.

Intimate Adult

Deep friendships and committed romantic relationships with emotional closeness.

Ego (Erikson)

Adaptive, organizing function independent of the id; helps individuals meet life's demands.

Ego Psychology

Integration of biological, psychological, and social forces in personality development.

Actualizing Tendency

Inborn drive to grow, maintain, and enhance the self.

Organismic Valuing Process (OVP)

Internal guide evaluating experiences based on whether they promote growth.

True Self

Who a person genuinely is.

Social Self

Self shaped by expectations of others; developed to gain approval.

Need for Positive Regard

Universal need for acceptance, approval, and love from others.

Unconditional Positive Regard

Acceptance without judgment; person is valued regardless of behavior.

Conditional Positive Regard

Acceptance only when meeting expectations; leads to conditions of worth.

Conditions of Worth

Belief that one is only worthy when meeting others' standards.

Positive Self‑Regard

Acceptance and approval of oneself.

Congruence

Alignment between true self and experience; leads to psychological health.

Incongruence

Mismatch between true self and social self; leads to anxiety.

Fully Functioning Person

Open to experience, lives existentially, trusts their organism, creative, free to choose, lives a rich life.

Person‑Centered Therapy

Client leads therapy; therapist provides genuineness, empathy, and unconditional positive regard.

Q‑Sort Technique

Assessment tool measuring changes in self‑concept during therapy.

Genuineness (Therapist Quality)

Therapist is authentic and transparent.

Empathic Understanding

Therapist deeply understands and reflects client's internal world.

Basic Evil

Lack of genuine warmth and affection; includes neglect, ridicule, unfulfilled promises.

Basic Anxiety

Feeling lonely and helpless in a hostile world; foundation of neurosis.

Basic Hostility

Repressed anger toward caregivers due to fear of losing love.

Four Ways to Protect Against Basic Anxiety

Securing affection, being submissive, attaining power, withdrawing.

Neurotic Needs (10)

Affection/approval; partner; power; exploit others; recognition/prestige; personal achievement; personal admiration; self‑sufficiency; restrict life; perfection.

Neurotic Trends (3)

Moving toward people (compliant); moving against people (aggressive); moving away from people (detached).

Basic Conflict

Clash between neurotic needs and incompatible interpersonal strategies.

Actual Self

Who a person is at present, including strengths and weaknesses.

Ideal Self

Who a person believes they should be; often unrealistic in neurotics.

Despised Self

Negative self‑view formed from lack of love and acceptance.

Compliant Personality

Seeks affection and approval; moves toward people.

Aggressive Personality

Seeks power and dominance; moves against people.

Detached Personality

Seeks independence and privacy; moves away from people.

Womb Envy

Men's envy of women's reproductive capacity.

Flight from Womanhood

Women reject femininity due to societal pressure; masculinity complex.

Feminine Psychology

Focus on cultural and social influences on women's psychological development.

Need for Personal Achievement

Neurotic strategy involving tearing others down to rise higher.

Partner Choice: Compliant Type

Seeks a dominant partner.

Partner Choice: Aggressive Type

Seeks a submissive partner.