Trust vs Mistrust & Autonomy vs Shame & Doubt

MAED-ECE Educ 504 report

1. Erik erikson’s psychosocial development theory Donna Claire M. Bachinilla

2. ERIK HOMBURGER ERIKSON A German-American developmental psychologist and psychoanalyst June 15, 1902 to May 12, 1994

3. Psychosocial development theory Psychosocial development theory is based on eight stages of development Erikson’s theory is based on the idea that development through life is a series of stages which are each defined by a crisis or challenge The early stages provide the foundations for later stages so Erikson says that if a child does not resolve a crisis in a particular stage, they will have problems in later stages. For example, if an adolescent does not establish their own identity, they will have difficulty in relationships as an adult. “The more successfully an individual resolves the crisis, the healthier development will be.” ( Santrock , 2008 )

4. THE STAGES ARE AS FOLLOWS: Stage 1 – Infancy (Birth – 1 ½ ) Stage 2 – Early Childhood (1 ½ – 3) Stage 3 – Preschool Age (3 – 5) Stage 4 – Latency or School Age (5 – 12) Stage 5 – Adolescence (12 – 18) Stage 6 – Early Adulthood (18 – 40) Stage 7 – Middle Adulthood (40 – 65) Stage 8 – Maturity (65 – Death)

5. THE STAGES ARE AS FOLLOWS: Stage 1 – Infancy (Birth – 1 ½ ) Stage 2 – Early Childhood (1 ½ – 3)

6. Trust vs. mistrust STAGE 1: INFANCY Birth to 1 ½ years old

7. "Can I trust the people around me?"

8. During this stage, the infant is uncertain about the world in which they live. To resolve these feelings of uncertainty, the infant looks towards their primary caregiver. When a baby cries, does his caregiver attend to his needs? When he is frightened, will someone comfort him? When she is hungry, does she receive nourishment from her caregivers?

9. If the care the infant receives is consistent, predictable and reliable , they will develop a sense of trust which will carry with them to other relationships, and they will be able to feel secure even when threatened .

10. Success in this stage will lead to the virtue of   hope . By developing a sense of trust, the infant can have hope that as new crises arise, there is a real possibility that other people will be there as a source of support. Failing to acquire the virtue of hope will lead to the development of fear .

11. I f the care has been harsh or inconsistent , unpredictable and unreliable , then the infant will develop a sense of mistrust and will not have confidence in the world around them or in their abilities to influence events . It may result in anxiety, heightened insecurities, and an over feeling of mistrust in the world around them.

12. Trust vs. mistrust BASIC VIRTUE: HOPE IMPORTANT EVENT: FEEDING

13. AUTONOMY VS. SHAME & DOUBT Stage 2: EARLY CHILDHOOD 1 ½ to 3 years old

14. "Can I do things myself or am I reliant on the help of others?"

15. D uring this stage, children begin to assert their independence, by walking away from their mother, picking which toy to play with, putting on clothes and shoes, and making choices about what they like to wear, to eat, etc.

16. Erikson states it is critical that parents allow their children to explore the limits of their abilities within an encouraging environment which is tolerant of failure . For example, rather than put on a child's clothes a supportive parent should have the patience to allow the child to try until they succeed or ask for assistance. So , the parents need to encourage the child to become more independent while at the same time protecting the child so that constant failure is avoided.

17. A delicate balance is required from the parent. They must try not to do everything for the child, but if the child fails at a particular task they must not criticize the child for failures and accidents (particularly when toilet training). The aim has to be “self control without a loss of self-esteem” (Gross, 1992). Success in this stage will lead to the virtue of will .

18. If children in this stage are encouraged and supported in their increased independence (autonomy) , they become more confident and secure in their own ability to survive in the world.

19. If children are criticized, overly controlled, or not given the opportunity to assert themselves, they begin to feel inadequate in their ability to survive, and may then become overly dependent upon others, lack self-esteem, and feel a sense of shame or doubt in their abilities.

20. What can parents do to encourage success? Provide opportunities for children to be independent. Allow them to make food, clothing, and toy choices and provide reassurance that they have done a good job. Be supportive during potty training, but not punitive for accidents. Offer safe outlets where children are able to play independently with the support and guidance of a trusted caregiver.

21. Autonomy vs. shame & doubt BASIC VIRTUE: will IMPORTANT EVENT: toilet training

22. Thank you for listening …