1. ERIK ERIKSON’S Stages of Development
Ch. 8, 9 & 10

2. Erik Erickson

3. Erikson’s Contributions
Personality develops throughout the lifetime
Credited with coining the term “Lifespan Development”. Other major theorists believe that at the onset of adulthood, development was somewhat fixed.
Identity crisis in adolescence
Impact of social, cultural, personal and situational forces in forming personality

4. Who is in charge? Stages 1-4 Stages 5-8 Largely determined by others
(parents, teachers)
Stages 5-8
Individual has more control over environment
Ultimately, the Individual is responsible for crisis resolution in each stage

5. I. Stage 1- Infancy Ages: Birth to 1 ½ years
Fastest growth period in life
Developmental Tasks
1. learn to eat solid food
2. begin to walk
3. begin to talk
4. developing trust
Basic Trust vs. Mistrust

6. Stage 1: Basic Trust vs. Mistrust
Totally dependent on others
Caregiver meets needs: child develops trust
Caregiver does not meet needs: child develops mistrust
Basic strength: Hope
Belief our desires will be satisfied
Feeling of confidence/ Trust

7. II. Stage 2 - Early Childhood
Ages: 2-3
Developmental tasks
1. walk and talk more
2. potty trained
3. social independence develops
4. Sense of autonomy-
need to control impulses, body, environment.
Autonomy vs. Shame/Doubt

8. Stage 2: Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt
Child able to exercise some degree of choice
If the child’s independence is thwarted: child develops feelings of self-doubt, or shame in dealing with others
Basic Strength: Will
Determination to exercise freedom of choice in face of society’s demands

9. III. Stage 3 – Play Age Ages: 4-5 years Developmental tasks
1. initiate play with other kids
2. make-believe
3. ask questions
4. Learn initiative- the ability to start something on their own.
Initiative vs. Guilt

10. Stage 3: Initiative vs. Guilt
Child expresses desire to take initiative in activities
If parents or teachers punish child for initiative: child develops feelings of guilt that will affect self-directed activity throughout life
Basic strength: Purpose
Courage to envision and pursue goals

11. IV. Stage 4 – School Age Ages: 6 to 11 years Developmental Tasks
1. learn physical skills for sports, games, etc.
2. intellectually- learn to read, write, do math
3. learn right from wrong
4. develop attitudes towards themselves and others.
5. develop sense of industry- make things- cookies, models, etc.
Industry vs. Inferiority

12. Stage 4: Industry vs. Inferiority
Child develops cognitive abilities to enable in task completion (school work, play)
Parents/teachers do not support child’s efforts: child develops feelings of inferiority and inadequacy
Basic strength: Competence
Applying skill and intelligence to pursue goals and comple tasks

13. V. Stage 5 – Puberty/Adolescence Learning Identity vs
V. Stage 5 – Puberty/Adolescence Learning Identity vs. Identity Confusion
Ages: 9 – 13 & 14-17
Beginning of adolescence
Become capable of reproducing
Secondary sex characteristics begin to develop
Hormones develop- estrogen & progesterone-girls & testosterone-boys
Life’s Second fastest period of growth

14. Stage 5: Identity vs. Role Confusion
Ages 12-18
Form ego identity: self-image
Strong sense of identity: face adulthood with certainty and confidence
Identity crisis: confusion of ego identity
Basic strength: Fidelity
Emerges from cohesive ego identity
Sincerity, genuineness, sense of duty in relationships with others

15. Developmental Tasks in Adolescence:
1. Form mature relationships
2. achieve a masculine or feminine social role
3. accept one’s physique and use one’s body effectively
4. Achieve emotional independence from parents and other adults
5. prepare for marriage and family life
6. prepare for career
7. acquire personal standards
8. develop social intelligence-aware of human needs-helping others
9. develop conceptual and problem-solving skills

16. VI. Stage 6- Young Adulthood
Ages: Generally age 20 to early 30’s- can start as young as 17.
Financially independent from parents
Can deal with everyday life trials with maturity
At peak of physical abilities- strength, quickness, alertness
Crucial life decisions made- marriage, career, children
Intimacy vs. Isolation

17. Stage 6: Intimacy vs. Isolation
Undertake productive work and establish intimate relationships
Inability to establish intimacy leads to social isolation
Basic strength: Love
Mutual devotion in a shared identity
Fusing of oneself with another person

18. VII. Stage 7- Middle Adulthood Learning Generativity vs
VII. Stage 7- Middle Adulthood Learning Generativity vs. Self- Absorbtion
Ages: years
Start thinking in terms of what to do with the rest of their lives.
Feeling that time is running out
Start to face death of parents
Mid-life crisis common- divorce, career change, remarriage
1. some have not accepted middle age- can lead to problems adjusting
2. Their children may be going through adolescence, during this time which can add to conflict.

19. Stage 7: Generativity vs. Stagnation /Self-Absorbtion
Generativity: Active involvement in teaching/guiding the next generation
Stagnation involves not seeking outlets for generativity
Basic strength: Care
Broad concern for others
Need to teach others

20. VIII. Stage 8- Late Adulthood Integrity vs. Despair
65 and older
Retirement common
Senior citizen does not equate to old anymore.
Longer life expectancy- 85 and older common.
Better health practices than in the past.
Measures of Age
1. Chronological- How old you actually are
2. Biological- how well your body is holding up
influenced by diet, exercise, lifestyle, heredity
3. Social- a person’s lifestyle
Grandchildren become important
Must face death

21. Stage 8: Integrity vs. Despair
Evaluation of entire life
Integrity: Look back with satisfaction
Despair: Review with anger, frustration or regret
Basic strength: Wisdom
Detached concern with the whole of life

22. Stages of Acceptance about Death
1. Denial- “No not me”- can’t accept news of a death or their own imminent death.
2. Anger- “Why me?” Stage-resentment, sometimes leads to isolation, rejection
3. Bargaining- begins to accept reality, but bargains for more time by praying, other medical treatments, etc.
4. Depression-time of grieving for what the patient has already lost and will lose. Worries about family, money, fells sense of great loss.-Encourage him or her to grieve
5. Acceptance – Allows for action and facing reality in a constructive way. Closure is important. Not a happy stage, but not helpless either.

23. Criticisms of Erickson’s Work
Ambiguous terms and concepts
Lack of precision
Some terms are not easily measured empirically
Experiences in stage may only apply to males
Identity crisis may only apply to those affluent enough to explore identities

24. References
- retrieved April 14, 2014