Erikson’s Psychosocial Development – Quick Review

Core Ideas

  • Psychosocial: interaction of inner (psycho) and outer (social) factors.
  • Development unfolds in 88 conflicts; each balance → virtue / imbalance → problems.
    • Virtue = positive strength gained.
    • Maladaptation = excess positive pole.
    • Malignancy = excess negative pole.

Stage 11 – Infancy (0-10\text{-}1 yr): Trust vs. Mistrust

  • Needs met regularly → Trust → Hope.
  • Irregular care → Mistrust.
  • Maladaptation: Sensory maladjustment.
  • Malignancy: Withdrawal.

Stage 22 – Early Childhood (1-31\text{-}3 yrs): Autonomy vs. Shame/Doubt

  • Self-control (toileting, mobility) allowed → Autonomy → Will.
  • Over-criticism → Shame/Doubt.
  • Maladaptation: Impulsiveness.
  • Malignancy: Compulsiveness.

Stage 33 – Play Age (3-63\text{-}6 yrs): Initiative vs. Guilt

  • Free play & decision-making → Initiative → Purpose.
  • Excess control → Guilt.
  • Maladaptation: Ruthlessness.
  • Malignancy: Inhibition.

Stage 44 – School Age (6-126\text{-}12 yrs): Industry vs. Inferiority

  • Success in school skills → Industry → Competence.
  • Repeated failure / little praise → Inferiority.
  • Maladaptation: Narrow virtuosity.
  • Malignancy: Inertia.

Stage 55 – Adolescence (12-1912\text{-}19 yrs): Identity vs. Role Confusion

  • Coherent self-image (values, goals) → Identity → Fidelity.
  • Unresolved roles → Role confusion.
  • Maladaptation: Fanaticism.
  • Malignancy: Repudiation.

Stage 66 – Young Adulthood (20-2520\text{-}25 yrs): Intimacy vs. Isolation

  • Deep, mutual relationships → Intimacy → Love.
  • Avoidance of closeness → Isolation.
  • Maladaptation: Promiscuity.
  • Malignancy: Exclusion.

Stage 77 – Adulthood (26-6426\text{-}64 yrs): Generativity vs. Stagnation

  • Guiding next generation / productivity → Generativity → Care.
  • Self-absorption → Stagnation.
  • Maladaptation: Overextension.
  • Malignancy: Rejectivity.

Stage 88 – Old Age (65+65+ yrs): Ego Integrity vs. Despair

  • Life review with acceptance → Ego integrity → Wisdom.
  • Regret & hopelessness → Despair.
  • Maladaptation: Presumption.
  • Malignancy: Disdain.

Exam Focus

  • Know conflict, age span, virtue, maladaptation & malignancy for all 88 stages.
  • Healthy development = balanced resolution at each stage; identity evolves lifelong.