Eirk Erikson's Stages of Psychosocial Development

Stages of Psycho-social Development

1. Post-Freudian Theory of Personality Erik Erikson

2. Biography of Erik Erikson Born on June 15, 1902 in Germany. His father, a Danish Protestant, and his mother, a Danish Jew, separated before he was born, and he grew up in the home of his mother and German Jewish step, father. Begins travelling throughout Europe in 1919. In 1928, he studied child psychology with Anna Freud, who also psychoanalyzed him. In 1933, he immigrated to the United States. He worked at the Austen Riggs Center in Massachusetts and conducted research at Harvard, Yale and University of California. In 1950, he published his book Childhood and Society . PREPARED BY: SABA SHABIR 2

3. The Ego in post-Freudian theory Ego is a positive force that creates a self-identity, a sense of “I”. During childhood, Ego is weak and fragile & during adolescence, it gain strength and unifies personality. Ego as conscious creates self-identity, and as unconscious it organizes our present experiences with the past self-identities. PREPARED BY: SABA SHABIR 3

4. Erikson defined the Ego as a person’s ability to unify experiences and actions in an adaptive manner. He identified three interrelated aspects of Ego: The Body-Ego : physical self as different from others, and our satisfaction or dissatisfaction with our body looks and functions. The Ego-Ideal : image of ourselves in comparison with an established ideal. The Ego-Identity : image we have in a variety of social roles. The Ego in post-Freudian theory PREPARED BY: SABA SHABIR 4

5. Society’s influence on ego Ego is a potential at birth. Ego is shaped by societies , with their variations in child-rearing process, that fit the needs of that culture. E.g., cross-cultural analysis on child rearing practices. ---Sioux child rearing practices = oral personalities = generous. ---Yurok child rearing practices = strict rules for toilet training = compulsive neat, stubborn, and miser personalities. PREPARED BY: SABA SHABIR 5

6. Erikson’s Psychosocial Theory The developmental changes throughout the human life span, also called Psychosocial D evelopment T heory. Much like Sigmund Freud , Erikson believed that personality develops into a series of stages . Unlike Freud’s theory of psychosexual stages , Erikson’s theory describes the impact of social experience across the whole lifespan. PREPARED BY: SABA SHABIR 6

7. What is psychosocial development? Eight stages of human development. Each stage consists of a unique developmental task that confronts individuals with a crisis. Each stage in Erikson’s theory is concerned with becoming competent in an area of life . If the stage is handled well, the person will feel a sense of mastery, which he sometimes referred to as ego strength or ego quality. If the stage is managed poorly, the person will emerge with a sense of inadequacy. PREPARED BY: SABA SHABIR 7

8. Basic points Epigenetic principle: step-by-step growth, but any step doesn’t replace the accomplishment of the previous step, e.g., children crawl before they walk, walk before they run, and run before they jump. Interactions of opposites: conflict between a syntonic (harmonious) element and a dystonic (disruptive) element---people must have both harmonious and disruptive experiences. Basic strength: conflict b/w syntonic and dystonic produces ego strength. PREPARED BY: SABA SHABIR 8

9. Basic points Core pathology: too little basic strength Nature + nurture: biological and psychological aspects have been focused. Multiplicity of conflicts and events: Ego identity is shaped by past, present, and future. Identity crisis: from adolescence onward, major modifications in identity at every stage. PREPARED BY: SABA SHABIR 9

10. Erikson’s Stages Developmental Period Trust vs. Mistrust Infancy (first year) Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt Early childhood (2 to 3 years) Initiative vs. Guilt Play age (3 to 5 years) Industry vs. Inferiority School age (elementary school years, 6 years to puberty) Identity vs. Identity Confusion Adolescence (10 to 20 years) Intimacy vs. Isolation Early adulthood (20s, 30s) Generativity vs. Stagnation Middle adulthood (40s, 50s) Integrity vs. Despair Late adulthood (60s onward) PREPARED BY: SABA SHABIR 10

11. Infancy (Birth-1 st year ) Erikson’s first psychological stage Parallel to F reud’s oral stage Oral-Sensory Mode: Infancy is the time of incorporation with infants, not only through mouth, but through various sense organs as well. Two modes of incorporation: receiving and accepting what is given from the physical world and from other individuals. A sense of trust requires a feeling of physical comfort and a minimal amount of fear and apprehension about the future. Trust in infancy sets the stage of a lifelong expectation that the world will be a good and pleasant place to live. PREPARED BY: SABA SHABIR 11

12. Trust vs. Mistrust Life stage Infancy Relationship Mother, care giver Issues feeding and being comforted, teething, sleeping Syntonic & Dystonic Trust vs. Mistrust Basic S trength Hope: future distress will meet with satisfactory outcomes. M aladaptation Sensory distortion , discrepancy b/w sensory needs & environment Core pathology Withdrawal: retreat from the world PREPARED BY: SABA SHABIR 12

13. Early childhood (2 to 3 years) Erikson’s second psychological stage Parallel with Freud’s Anal stage. Anal-Urethral-Muscular Mode: According to Erikson, children not only gain pleasure from mastering bladder control but also by mastering other body functions such as walking, throwing, holding. Childhood is the time of self-expression. They start to assert their sense of independences, self-control, or autonomy --- realizing their will . If infants are restrained too much or punished too harshly for their self-expressions (cultural effects), they are likely to develop a sense of shame and doubt. PREPARED BY: SABA SHABIR 13

14. Autonomy vs Shame and Doubt Life Stage Toddler Relationship Parents Issues Bodily functions, toilet training, muscular control, walking Syntonic & Dystonic Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt Basic Strength Will Maladaptation Impulsivity, contradictions Core Pathology Compulsion PREPARED BY: SABA SHABIR 14

15. Play Age (3 to 5 years) Erikson’s third stage of development Parallel with Freud’s Phallic stage. Genital- Locomotor Mode: Besides acquiring Identification with parents, children are also developing locomotion, language skills, imagination, and ability to set goals. Children are asked to assume responsibility for their bodies, behaviors, toys, and pets. Developing a sense of responsibility enables them to be initiative and taking an action with a purpose . G uilt feelings may arise if the child is irresponsible or if there are some fantasies that do not match their needs and culture (leaving home). PREPARED BY: SABA SHABIR 15

16. Initiative vs. Guilt Life Stage Preschool Relationship Family Issues Exploration and discovery, adventure and play Syntonic & Dystonic Initiative vs. Guilt Basic Strength Purpose: setting goals with purpose Maladaptation Ruthlessness, fantasies Core Pathology Inhibition: Too much guilt PREPARED BY: SABA SHABIR 16

17. School Age (6 to 11 years) Erikson’s fourth developmental stage Parallel with Freud’s Latency stage Latency mode: Erikson agreed with Freud’s concept of Latency. Children’s initiative brings them in contact with a wealth of new experiences and social growth. Children may acquire industry, means willingness to remain busy with something and to finish a job. Children can also develop a sense of inferiority when they are unable to accomplish their goals, they would feel incompetent and unproductive. PREPARED BY: SABA SHABIR 17

18. Industry vs. Inferiority Life Stage School age Relationship School, teachers, friends, neighborhood Issues Achievement and accomplishment Syntonic & Dystonic Industry vs. Inferiority Basic Strength Competence Maladaptation Narrow Virtuosity Core Pathology Inertia: nonproductive, fantasies, regression like PREPARED BY: SABA SHABIR 18

19. Adolescence (12 to 20 years) Erikson’s fifth developmental stage, and the most crucial. Adolescent is the time of trial and error , f aced with finding out who they are, what they are all about, and where they are going in life . Identity emerges from: A ffirmation or repudiation of childhood identifications. H istorical or social context encouraging conformity to certain standards. Identity Confusion starts with the Dilemma: repudiate the values of parents or peers? Identity confusions include divided self-image, inability to establish intimacy, and rejection of family or community standards. Properly handling the opposites results into faith, freedom in decision making, trust in peers and family, and confidence. PREPARED BY: SABA SHABIR 19

20. Identity vs. Identity Confusion Life Stage Adolescence Relationship Peers, groups influences Issues Resolving identity and direction Syntonic vs. Dystonic Identity vs. Identity Confusion Basic Strength Fidelity: faith in one’s ideology (political, religious, and social) Maladaptation Fanaticism Core Pathology Role Repudiation: non-workable identity by: Diffidence: extreme lack of self-trust Defiance: rebelling against authority. PREPARED BY: SABA SHABIR 20

21. Young Adulthood (20’s and 30’s) Erikson’s sixth developmental stage Face the developmental task of forming intimate relationship with others. Intimacy is the ability to fuse one’s identity with that of another person without fear of losing it or without losing one’s individuality. For example, if the young adult forms healthy friendships and an intimate relationship with another individual, intimate will be achieved; if not, isolation will result . Isolation means inability to take chances with one’s identity by sharing true intimacy. PREPARED BY: SABA SHABIR 21

22. Intimacy vs. Isolation Life Stage Early adulthood Relationship Lovers, friends, work connections Issues Intimate relationships, works and social life Syntonic vs. Dystonic Intimacy vs. Isolation Basic Strength Love: commitment, cooperation, and friendship Maladaptation Promiscuity Core Pathology Exclusivity: blocks one’s ability to cooperate, compete, or compromise PREPARED BY: SABA SHABIR 22

23. Adulthood (40’s and 50’s) Erikson’s seventh developmental stage Procreativity: responsible behavior, pro-social behavior, altruism. N ot as duty or obligation but a natural desire for prosaically behaviours. A chief concern is to assist the younger generation in developing and leading useful lives – this is what Erikson means by Generativity. The feeling of done nothing to the next generation is self-absorption or Stagnation. PREPARED BY: SABA SHABIR 23

24. Generativity vs. Stagnation Life Stage Middle adulthood Relationship Children, community Issues ‘giving back’, helping, contributing Syntonic vs. Dystonic Generativity vs. Stagnation Basic Strength Care: for persons, products, ideas Maladaptation Overextension Core Pathology Rejectivity: self-centered, pseudo speciation (other people are inferior to one’s own) PREPARED BY: SABA SHABIR 24

25. Old Age (60 to onward) Erikson’s eighth and final developmental stage During this stage, a person reflects on the past and either pieces together a positive review or concludes that life has not been spent well. For example, the older person may have developed a positive outlook in most or all of the previous stages of development. If so, the retrospective glances will reveal a picture of a life well spent, and the person will feel a sense of satisfaction – I ntegrity will be achieved. If the older adult resolved many of the earlier stages negatively, the retrospective glances likely will yield doubt or gloom – the despair (without HOPE) Erikson described, which includes depression, disgust, contempt for others. PREPARED BY: SABA SHABIR 25

26. Integrity vs. Despair Life Stage Old age Relationship Society, the world, life Issues Meaning and purpose, life achievements Syntonic vs. Dystonic Integrity vs. Despair Basic Strength Wisdom : concerned with life, approach death without fear Maladaptation Presumption Malignancy Disdain: finished, confused, helpless PREPARED BY: SABA SHABIR 26

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