1. Erikson’s psychosocial theory
Dr. K. A. Korb
University of Jos

2. Erik Erikson Father abandoned before born.
Irregular work in Europe without an identity.
Took a job as a teacher for children of Freud’s patients.
Trained in psychoanalysis (i.e. Freud).
Took name as Erikson (son of himself) symbolizing full attainment of sense of identity.
Born in Germany from Danish parents. After father abandoned, Erikson’s mother married a Jewish Doctor. Erikson wasn’t told for years that his step-father wasn’t his biological father. So raised a Jew looking like a Scandinavian and accepted by neither.
Moved to US after training as psychoanalysis…Studied Native Americans on reservations, further contribute to loss of sense of identity.
Came to believe sense of identity was critical task of growing up.
Dr. K. A. Korb
University of Jos

3. Psychosocial Development
Psychosocial: Development of self in relationship to society
Psycho: Mental processes
Social: Relating to society
Developmental changes in behavior result from the interaction between internal drives and cultural demands
Psychosocial development is culturally relative:
Children in all cultures go through the same sequence of stages, but each culture has its own way of directing the child’s behavior
Social demands change within each culture over time
Dr. K. A. Korb
University of Jos

4. Erikson’s Stages of Psychosocial Development
Maturation and culture’s expectations create eight crises that the individual must resolve for healthy development
Cultural demands change as a child ages
Development continues throughout the lifespan
Main goal in life is the search for identity
Identity: Understanding and accepting one’s self and society
Eight psychosocial stages throughout the lifespan influences identity
Dr. K. A. Korb
University of Jos

5. Erikson’s Stages of Psychosocial Development
Each stage is characterized by a crisis
Crisis: a psychosocial challenge that presents opportunities for development
Positive resolution of crisis leads to growth but negative resolution (or no resolution) leads to maladjustment
Positive resolution: Constructive orientation toward future events related to that conflict
Negative resolution: Problems resolving future crises
“What doesn’t kill you makes you better.”
When faced with situation in future, able to deal constructively i.e. successful resolution of trust stage enables you to be trustful towards other in future. Significant other…
Negative resolution stuck at stage…Not able to trust parents, not able to trust significant other…
African girls wet bed…
Dr. K. A. Korb
University of Jos

6. Erikson’s Stages of Psychosocial Development
Age (years)
Crisis
Infancy
0-1
Trust vs. Mistrust*
Early Childhood
2-3
Autonomy vs. Shame & Doubt
Preschool
3-5
Initiative vs. Guilt
School Age
6-11
Industry vs. Inferiority
Adolescence
12-20
Identity vs. Role Confusion*
Young Adults
Mid-20s
Intimacy vs. Isolation*
Adulthood
25-60
Generativity vs. Stagnation*
Old Age
60+
Ego Integrity vs. Despair
Dr. K. A. Korb
University of Jos

7. Stage 1: Trust vs. Mistrust
Age: 0-1 years
Primary Event: Feeding
Stage 1: Trust vs. Mistrust
Newborns cannot meet their own needs
Have to trust that their mother meets their needs
Trust: Essential trustfulness of others and sense of one’s own trustworthiness
Positive Resolution: Trust in the world based on basic needs being met
Parents’ Role: Provide warmth and responsiveness to child’s needs to foster a secure attachment
What are newborn’s needs? Obviously can’t provide for self, so must have someone to provide
Freud: Oral stage is limited to taking things in (food, sensorimotor stage) via mouth…
Dr. K. A. Korb
University of Jos

8. Stage 2: Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt
Age: 2-3 years
Primary Event: Toilet Training
Stage 2: Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt
Failing at toilet training leads to shame and doubt in abilities
Autonomy: Determination to exercise free will
Shame and doubt about one’s self-control and independence results if:
Trust crisis was not resolved
Toilet training was too harsh
Child’s will is broken by over-controlling parents
Positive Resolution: Development of self-confidence based on encouragement and limit setting
Parents’ Role: Balance the child’s desire for autonomy and parent’s need to control the child’s behavior
What is key event for the Anal stage?
Ask for toilet training stories…Not just here’s diaper, here’s toilet. Have to learn to control body’s impulses.
Ross’s story…No shame there!
Control over bladder is chance to acquire feelings of autonomy…control over body’s impulses.
Dr. K. A. Korb
University of Jos

9. Stage 3: Initiative vs. Guilt
Age: 3-5 years
Primary Event: Independence
Stage 3: Initiative vs. Guilt
Initiative: Actively seek to impose sense of will on surroundings
Must learn balance between acting and controlling impulses
Guilt results if initiative frequently leads to punishment or disapproval
Positive Resolution: Explore the environment with a sense of purpose
Parents’ Role: Support the child’s initiative in appropriate situations
When sweeping, 4 year old will want to help…Want to help with everything.
What would happen if let 4 year old rule the house?
What is the role of parents?  Be encouraging, but set firm rules. Too much of either results in too far.
Oedipus complex: Impose sense of will…Penis envy and pencil study.
Dr. K. A. Korb
University of Jos

10. Stage 4: Industry vs. Inferiority
Age: 6-11 years
Primary Event: School
Stage 4: Industry vs. Inferiority
Industry: Doing things that others value
Successful experiences give sense of industry, competence, and mastery
Unsuccessful experiences leads to feelings of inadequacy, inferiority, and no self-worth
Positive Resolution: Productive work, success experiences, and understanding of progress
Parents’ Role: Help children participate in activities where they are successful
What did you learn in elementary school? Academic or in general…
Begin school years. What is general purpose of school? Make students productive members of society…Do things that society values.
Children learn to make things, use tools, and acquire the skills to be a worker and a potential provider.
Freud: latency turn attention away from sex to other pursuits like school
Competence: sense one can do things valued by others.
??Who are you??
I am a graduate student studying to do research in intelligence or motivation and/or teaching ed psych. I love to travel and serve others. I love to read and learn more about most things.
Dr. K. A. Korb
University of Jos

11. Stage 5: Identity vs. Role Confusion
Age: years
Primary Event: Peer Relationships
Stage 5: Identity vs. Role Confusion
Identity: Integrated sense of self
Answering: Who am I?
Integrate beliefs in politics, religion, career, life purpose, family, etc.
Identity crisis is the most significant conflict
Role confusion: Inability to integrate beliefs, leaving a fragmented personality
Positive Resolution: Strong sense of identity and plans for the future
Parents’ Role: Help the child learn about options for their identity
?What do you want to be when you grow up? How do you know? (What led you to that decision?)
Dr. K. A. Korb
University of Jos

12. James Marcia’s Identity States
Committed to Identity?
Yes No
Searching for Identity?
Identity Achievement
Identity Moratorium
Identity Foreclosure
Identity Diffusion
Pass out song sheets.
Read over the lyrics of hte
Dr. K. A. Korb
University of Jos

13. Stage 6: Intimacy vs. Isolation
Age: mid-20s
Primary Event: Loving Relationships
Stage 6: Intimacy vs. Isolation
Intimacy: Close committed relationship with someone
Identity is necessary for intimacy with others
Positive Resolution: Ability to self-disclose with another person
Does not have to be romantic relationship
?What are characteristics of an intimate relationship?
?What do both parties need before can be part of an intimate relationship?
?Why would it be important to establish identity before can have intimacy?
Genital Stage: Love other’s for their own sake
Dr. K. A. Korb
University of Jos

14. Stage 7: Generativity vs. Stagnation
Age: years
Primary Event: Parenting
Stage 7: Generativity vs. Stagnation
Generativity: Desire to create things in the world that will outlive you
Stagnation: Self-absorption
Positive Resolution: Acts of caring beyond the self
What things can you do that will outlive you? Describe a person who has achieved Generativity.
Describe a person who is stagnating.
Dr. K. A. Korb
University of Jos

15. Stage 8: Ego Integrity vs. Despair
Age: 60+ years
Primary Event: Reflection on Life
Stage 8: Ego Integrity vs. Despair
Ego Integrity: View that one’s life has had meaning and acceptance of one’s choices.
Despair: Regret for what one has or has not done with their life
Positive Resolution: Satisfaction about the past
Despair of a wasted life.
Dr. K. A. Korb
University of Jos

16. Comparing Developmental Theories
Active/Passive
Nature/Nurture
Stage/Continuous
Piaget
Active
Both
Stage
Information Processing
Sociocultural
Continuous
Neo-Piagetians
Social Learning
Nurture
Psychosocial
Passive
Attachment
Ecological Systems
Dr. K. A. Korb
University of Jos

17. Critique of Psychosocial Theory
Strengths
One of first developmental theories to focus on development across the lifespan
Logical progression of life stages
Weakness
The theory does not explain why development occurs
Dr. K. A. Korb
University of Jos

18. Implications for Education
Importance of early relationships with caregivers
Illustrates the significance of successful experiences in school
Explains that children of different ages have different social needs
Dr. K. A. Korb
University of Jos

19. Revision Describe Erikson’s eight stages.
Explain what a teacher/parent can do to support development in each of the childhood stages
Dr. K. A. Korb
University of Jos