Erikson

  • definition: the interplay between psychological maturation and increased social expectation creates a series of psychosocial “crises” than an individual needs to successfully resolve for optimal development 

    • as we grow older, society expects more of us

    • can we meet those social expectations? 

  • infant stages 

  1. trust vs. mistrust: can the completely dependent infant learn to trust the world?

    1. birth to one year  

  2. autonomy vs. shame/doubt: can the toddler learn bodily self-control? 

    1. like potty training 

  • Childhood stages 

  1. initiative vs. guilt: discovery of the world by the way of activity, curiosity, and exploration or an immobilization 

    1. 3 to 6 years of age

  2. industry vs. inferiority: the “apprenticeship of life”, child learns to enjoy/strive for accomplishment 

  • Erikson: the fundamental task of adolescence is to form and establish one’s own identity 

  • identity questions: Where did I come from? Who am I? What do I want to become? Where am I going? What do I mean to myself and others? 

    • identity: a sense of continuity; between one’s past, present, and future selves; being at home in one’s body; knowing where one is going; recognition from others 

      • one must demonstrate fidelity to beliefs, values, relationships, and a vocational path 

    • Martin Luther: Here I stand, I can do no other 

  • moratorium: a period of physical/cognitive maturity and yet sanctioned postponed of definitive commitment 

    Adolescent/young adult stages

  1. identity vs. identity diffusion:Identity is knowing your path in life, while identity diffusion is feeling lost and unsure of your direction.

  2. intimacy (love) vs. isolation: will individual identity become expanded into shared identity or will self become estranged from others 

    1. love is shared identity

      1. from me & you to → us & we  

Types of Identity Statuses 

  • identity achievement: have gone through period of exploration toward making identity commitments 

  • foreclosure: made identity commitments without period of exploration 

  • moratoriums: actively exploring identity commitments 

  • diffusion: lacks both commitments and time of exploration  

Adult Stages

  1. generativity vs. stagnation: a widening of social/vocational commitments to care for others beyond oneself or continued self-absorption 

    1. my life is no longer just about me 

  2. integrity vs. despair: integrating/appreciating previous life experiences or becoming bitter, resentful, negative