PSYCHOSOCIAL

DEVELOPMENT
Erik Erikson's Stages of Psychosocial Development
INTRODUCTION

 Erikson maintained that personality develops in a

predetermined order through eight stages of
psychosocial development, from infancy to
adulthood. During each stage, the person
experiences a psychosocial crisis which could have a
positive or negative outcome for personality
development.
 According to the theory, successful completion of
each stage results in a healthy personality and the
acquisition of basic virtues.
 Meanwhile, failure to successfully complete a stage
can result in a reduced ability to complete further
stages and therefore a more unhealthy personality
and sense of self. These stages, however, can be
resolved successfully at a later time.
THE STAGES OF PSYCHOSOCIAL
DEVELOPMENT
1. INFANCY – Trust Vs. Mistrust

 Trust vs. mistrust is the first stage in Erik Erikson's

theory of psychosocial development. This stage
begins at birth continues to approximately 18
months of age. During this stage, the infant is
uncertain about the world in which they live, and
looks towards their primary caregiver for stability
and consistency of care.
 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.
2. Early Childhood – Autonomy Vs.
Shame and Doubt

 Autonomy versus shame and doubt is the second

stage of Erik Erikson's stages of psychosocial
development. This stage occurs between the ages of
18 months to approximately 3 years. According to
Erikson, children at this stage are focused on
developing a sense of personal control over
physical skills and a sense of independence.
 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.
3. Play Age – Initiative Vs. Guilt

 Initiative versus guilt is the third stage of Erik

Erikson's theory of psychosocial development.
During the initiative versus guilt stage, children
assert themselves more frequently.
 Uncontrolled initiative may lead to chaos and a lack
of moral principles. On the other hand, if guilt is the
dominant element, children may become slow to
interact with others and may inhibit their creativity.
 A healthy balance between initiative and guilt is
important. Success in this stage will lead to the
virtue of purpose.
4. School Age – Industry Vs. Inferiority

 Erikson's fourth psychosocial crisis, involving industry

(competence) vs. inferiority occurs during childhood
between the ages of five and twelve.
 Children are at the stage where they will be
learning to read and write, to do sums, to do things
on their own. Teachers begin to take an important
role in the child’s life as they teach the child specific
skills.
 It is at this stage that the child’s peer group will
gain greater significance and will become a major
source of the child’s self-esteem. The child now feels
the need to win approval by demonstrating specific
competencies that are valued by society and begin
to develop a sense of pride in their
accomplishments.
 A balance between competence and modesty is
necessary. Success in this stage will lead to the
virtue of competence.
5. Adolescent – Identity Vs. Role
Confusion

 The fifth stage of Erik Erikson's theory of

psychosocial development is identity vs. role
confusion, and it occurs during adolescence, from
about 12-18 years. During this stage, adolescents
search for a sense of self and personal identity,
through an intense exploration of personal values,
beliefs, and goals.
 Success in this stage will lead to the virtue
of fidelity.
 Fidelity involves being able to commit one's self to
others on the basis of accepting others, even when
there may be ideological differences.
6. Young Adulthood – Intimacy Vs.
Isolation

 Intimacy versus isolation is the sixth stage of Erik

Erikson's theory of psychosocial development. This
stage takes place during young adulthood between
the ages of approximately 18 to 40 yrs.
 After achieving a sense of identity during
adolescence, people must acquire the ability to fuse
that identity with the identity of another person
while maintaining their sense of individuality.
 Successful completion of this stage can result in
happy relationships and a sense of commitment,
safety, and care within a relationship.
 Avoiding intimacy, fearing commitment and
relationships can lead to isolation, loneliness, and
sometimes depression. Success in this stage will lead
to the virtue of love.
7. Adulthood – Generativity Vs.
Stagnation

 Generativity versus stagnation is the seventh of

eight stages of Erik Erikson's theory of psychosocial
development. This stage takes place during
adulthood (ages 40 to 65 yrs).
 Generativity refers to "making your mark" on the
world through creating or nurturing things that will
outlast an individual.
 Success leads to feelings of usefulness and
accomplishment, while failure results in shallow
involvement in the world.
 By failing to find a way to contribute, we become
stagnant and feel unproductive. These individuals
may feel disconnected or uninvolved with their
community and with society as a whole. Success in
this stage will lead to the virtue of care.
8. Old Age – Integrity Vs. Despair

 Integrity versus despair is the eighth and final stage

of Erik Erikson’s stage theory of psychosocial
development. This stage begins at approximately
age 65 and ends at death.
 Old age can be a time of joy, playfulness, and
wonder; but it is also a time of senility, depression,
and despair.
 It is during this time that we contemplate our
accomplishments and can develop integrity if we
see ourselves as leading a successful life.
 As we grow older and become senior citizens, we
tend to slow down our productivity and explore life
as a retired person.
 Success in this stage will lead to the virtue
of wisdom. Wisdom enables a person to look back
on their life with a sense of closure and
completeness, and also accept death without fear.
THANK YOU!