Erik Erikson

Definition (#f7aeae)

Important (#edcae9)

Extra (#fffe9d)

Psychosocial Stages of Development:

  1. Epigenetic principle:

    • Human development is governed by a sequence of stages.

    • Depends on hereditary factors.

  2. Development involves a series of conflicts and crises.

  3. Crisis: Turning point faced at each development stage.

  4. At every stage, the ego consists mainly of the positive attitude and will be balanced by some portion of negative attitude.

  5. Basic strengths: Motivating characteristics and beliefs.

    • Derived from satisfactory resolution of the crisis at each stage.

Stages of Psychosocial Development & Basic Strengths

  1. Trust vs Mistrust:

    • Mouth area is important.

    • Determined by the baby’s interaction with the mother.

    • Result of trust:

      • Expect consistency and continuity from others.

    • Result of mistrust:

      • Suspicious, fearful, and anxious.

  2. Autonomy vs Doubt & Shame:

    • Children develop physical and mental abilities.

      • Includes the abilities to hold on and let go.

      • Toilet training: Attempt to regulate instinctual needs.

    • Result of autonomy:

      • Child learns to exercise independence.

    • Result of shame:

      • Self-doubt.

  3. Initiative vs Guilt:

    • Desire to take initiative in activities:

      • Fantasies to possess the parent of the opposite sex may develop.

    • Result of initiative:

      • Awareness of permissible behavior.

      • Channeled toward realistic and socially accepted goals.

    • Result of guilt:

      • Self-directed activities are affected.

  4. Industry vs Inferiority:

    • Child begins school and has new social experiences.

      • Sex stereotypes reflect in activities.

    • Result of industriousness:

      • Praise & reinforcement lead to feelings of competence/encouragement.

    • Result of inferiority:

      • Develops feelings of inadequacy.

  5. Identity Cohesion vs Role Confusion:

    • Ego identity: Self image formed during adolescence.

      • Integrates what 1 is and what 1 wants to be.

    • Failure to achieve ego identity leads to identity crisis.

    • Result of strong sense of self:

      • Ability to face adulthood with confidence.

  6. Intimacy vs Isolation:

    • Individual begins to function as a responsible and independent adult.

    • Results of intimacy:

      • Feelings of care and commitment.

    • Results of isolation:

      • Failure of intimacy, avoidance, aggression and rejection.

  7. Generativity vs Stagnation:

    • Expression of generativity:

      • Teaching, mentoring, and guiding the next generation.

    • Failure results in stagnation, boredom and childlike behavior.

  8. Ego Identity vs Despair:

    • Involves the evaluation of one’s life.

    • Ego integrity: Accepting one’s place and past.

    • Despair: Regretful of missed opportunities/mistakes.

Basic Weakness:

Motivating characteristics from the unsatisfactory resolution of developmental crises.

Maldevelopment: When the ego consists of a single way of coping with conflict.

Maladaptive: When only the positive tendency is present.

Malignant: When only the negative tendency is present.

Human Nature:

  1. Free will and determinism.

  2. Nurture and nurture influence.

  3. Focused on past and present.

  4. Uniqueness and universality.

  5. Growth throughout life.

  6. Optimistic.

Assessments:

Techniques:

  1. Play therapy:

    • Used while working with emotionally disturbed kids.

    • Involves observing how children interact with toys.

    • Form and intensity of plays reveals aspects of personality.

  2. Psycho-historical analysis:

    • Application of Erikson’s lifespan theory and psycho-analytical principles.

    • Involves studying historical figures.

Assessments:
Psychological tests were developed based on:

  • Ego Identity Scale.

  • Ego Identity Process Questionnaire.

  • Loyola Generativity Scale.

Research:

Focus on case study method.

  1. Play constructions.

  2. Trust and security.

  3. Psychosocial stages.

  4. Adolescent development.

  5. Identity.

  6. Generativity.

  7. Maturity.

  8. Ethnic identity.

  9. Gender preference identity.

Research on children:

Research on Ego Identity:

Research on Erikson’s ideas:

Reflections:

Contributions:

  1. Personality develops through lifespan.

  2. Concept of identity crisis in adolescence.

  3. Recognition of cultural, social and historical influence.

  4. Inspired fields life-span development psychology.

  5. Play therapy.

Criticism:

  1. Ambiguity in concepts.

  2. Incomplete description of maturity.

  3. Erikson’s position on sex differences.

  4. Stages may not be applicable to all.