Erik Erikson and Stages of Human Development Mary Markowski Texas Woman’s University

About Erikson Important psychologist in the 1960s Believed childhood, family background and individual life experience develop personality Believed childhood, family background and individual life experience develop personality 8 universal stages describe human development across the life span; 8 universal stages describe human development across the life span; each stage consists of crisis and resolution each stage consists of crisis and resolution with resolution necessary for advancement to the next stage with resolution necessary for advancement to the next stage

Erikson’s 8 Stages Stage 1: trust v. mistrust (infancy) Stage 1: trust v. mistrust (infancy) Stage 2: autonomy v. shame/doubt (toddlers) Stage 2: autonomy v. shame/doubt (toddlers) Stage 3: initiative v. guilt (early elementary) Stage 3: initiative v. guilt (early elementary) Stage 4: industry v. inferiority (elementary & Jr. high) Stage 4: industry v. inferiority (elementary & Jr. high) Stage 5: identity v. role confusion (adolescence) Stage 5: identity v. role confusion (adolescence) Stage 6: intimacy v. isolation (young adulthood) Stage 6: intimacy v. isolation (young adulthood) Stage 7: generativity v. stagnation (middle adulthood) Stage 7: generativity v. stagnation (middle adulthood) Stage 8: integrity v. despair (older adulthood) Stage 8: integrity v. despair (older adulthood)

Stages relevant to adolescence and sexuality Identity versus Role Confusion (12-18) Identity versus Role Confusion (12-18) "Who am I?“ single most significant conflict a person must face "Who am I?“ single most significant conflict a person must face Must have had healthy resolution of all earlier conflicts Must have had healthy resolution of all earlier conflicts Trust, independence, confidence Trust, independence, confidence Positive outcome: strong identity, and ready to plan for the future. Positive outcome: strong identity, and ready to plan for the future. Negative outcome: confusion, unable to make decisions and choices about vocation, sexual orientation, and role in life in general. Negative outcome: confusion, unable to make decisions and choices about vocation, sexual orientation, and role in life in general.

Stages relevant to adolescence and sexuality Intimacy versus Isolation (19-40) Intimacy versus Isolation (19-40) Body is physically mature and self begins searching for an intimate relationship with another Body is physically mature and self begins searching for an intimate relationship with another Desire for physical and emotional intimacy Desire for physical and emotional intimacy Desire to find someone to share home, work, procreation and recreation and prepare to provide for a future family Desire to find someone to share home, work, procreation and recreation and prepare to provide for a future family Positive outcome: close relationships and share with others if achievement of identity previously. Positive outcome: close relationships and share with others if achievement of identity previously. Negative outcome: fear commitment, feel isolated and unable to depend on anyone. Negative outcome: fear commitment, feel isolated and unable to depend on anyone.

What does it mean? These 2 stages are vital in social and sexual development These 2 stages are vital in social and sexual development Forming a sense of self and finding the “right” life partner are very important in development Forming a sense of self and finding the “right” life partner are very important in development What will I do, when will I do it, with whom will I do it and how will I do it? What will I do, when will I do it, with whom will I do it and how will I do it? These are all important questions and worth thinking about and preparing for These are all important questions and worth thinking about and preparing for especially as you move through high school and college and prepare to be parents!! especially as you move through high school and college and prepare to be parents!!

Needs at the bottom must be met BEFORE needs at the top of the pyramid!

DREAM/GOAL SHEET Think about everything you want to do, see, experience, etc., in your life before you die Think about everything you want to do, see, experience, etc., in your life before you die Now, categorize by age (by decade) Now, categorize by age (by decade) Then think of who will help you Then think of who will help you......

References Erikson, E. (1968). Identity, youth, and crisis. New York: Norton. Erikson, E. (1968). Identity, youth, and crisis. New York: Norton.