Psychosocial Development

Erick Erickson’s 8 Stage theory of personality Development

Juan Diaz
EDU 202
CSN SPRING 2021
 Over View

• Who is Erick Erickson

• Over View of Ericksons Psychosocial

Development Theory

• The 8 Stages of the Psychosocial Development

Theory

• Conclusion

• Question
Eric Erickson Quick Bio Overview:
Erick Erickson, was a 20th century German-
American developmental Psychologist

Important Themes In Erickson’s work

Role Culture and Society

• Unlike his contemporaries, Erickson based his theories on
idea that culture and society play an important role in
shaping an individuals personal development

Pontential
• Erickson emphasized the idea that personal growth had the
POTENTIAL to improve or disprove in some cases over an
individual’s entire lifespan.

 Erick Erickson’s 8 Stage theory of personality Development

Overview: CONFLICT
In short Erick Ericksons Psychosocial development Each new stages faces a new challenge or conflict
theory can be summed up by the concept of…
that most be overcome

• The Individual v. The Needs of Society • If the conflict is resolved during the stage
= Improvement in Personality
The 8 Stages • A virtue will be acquired
• Erick Erickson broke down his theory of personal
development into 8 separate stages, each stage
with its own CONFLICT, VIRTUE or NEGATIVE
• If the conflict is NOT resolved during the
stage
OUTCOME

= Unhealthy Personality
• Negative outcome/trait will be acquired

• Each stage represents a key phase or age in the

life of an individual

(EX: Stage 1 relates to an infants between the

first year of life)

 Erick Erickson’s 8 Stage theory of personality Development

Visual of the theory

 Stage 1 :
Group Conflict Virtue (-) Outcome

First year of life

Trust v. Mistrust HOPE Fear, Suspicion
(0-24 months)

Explanation: Negative Outcome:

During the infancy, children look towards their mother and • If a child is neglected or during this stage they
father for a sense of security and care.
will develop a sense of mistrust.

• Children with mistrust will being to perceive the

• According to Ericksons theory, during this 1st stage, if a world with a deep sense of fear and suspicion
mother tends to her child lovingly they will develop a sense
of trust and acquire the virtue of HOPE.

• If conflict arises, the child will have hope that trusting

individuals will come to their aid.
 Stage 2:

Group Conflict Virtue (-) Outcome

Second year of life

Autonomy v. Doubt Will Shame
(2 years old)

Explanation:
Negative Outcome:
During this stage children begin to assert their independence,
by slowing moving away from other parents. (Ex: Learning to If the parents are critical of the actions the child
walking, curiosity about their bodies and the world around takes, then they will acquire a sense of doubt in
them.
their own abilities

• Having doubt in their own abilities gives the

• If the parents let their child explore the will around they will child a sense of shame.

develop a sense of Autonomy (Independence)

• Low self-esteem, is a trait that can be acquired

• Autonomy and free range, acquires the child with the virtue when being shamed for being who you are.
of free independent Will
 Stage 3:
Group Conflict Virtue (-) Outcome

3-5 years Initiative v. Guilt Purpose Inadequacy

Explanation: Negative Outcome:

During Stage 3 which happens during the ages of 3-5, a child • If the child’s is ability to ask questions and be
beings to explore the extended possibilities of their curious about the world around them is
independence.
criticized they will develop a sense of guilt.

• During this time children start to attend school and thus • Children will begin to feel a sense of inadequacy
they are interacting with other children. Which will allow and label themselves as annoying

them to assert themselves as leaders, and take initiative.

• Children begin to develop the mentality that it is

• During this stage children ask a lot of questions. They will best to be a followers then a leaders

begin to acquire the virtue of Purpose within their personal

choices, and decisions.
• Guilty can also hurt a child’s creativity

 Stage 4:
Group Conflict Virtue (-) Outcome

6-12 years Industry v. Inferiority Competence Inferiority

Explanation:
Negative Outcome:
Stage 4, takes place from, childhood all the way through
puberty. According to Erickson, teachers often play the most • If a child is not encouraged, they can begin to
important role in this stage.
doubt their ability and develop a sense of
inferiority compared to others

• Children begin to crave a thirst for knowledge, in order to

gain the approval and acceptance of their fellow peers and • Children feel that they do not meet the needs of
mentors, and society.
society

• Children who are encouraged gain an industrious ability or • Hurts a child’s chances of reaching their own
confidence.
potential.

• Children begin to develop a sense of pride in their

accomplishments, which leads them to acquire self
reassurance and competence in the new things they
choose to undertake.
 Stage 5:

Group Conflict Virtue (-) Outcome

12-18 years Identity v. Role Confusion Fidelity Rebellion

Explanation: Negative Outcome:

During this stage, a transition from childhood into adulthood is Not exploring who one is, can lead Role confusion
taking place. The individual begins to gain more or a sense of feeling lost

independence, and they start to think about their future goals

such as career, relationship and other roles within society.
• Asking the question, “I don’t know that I want to
be when I grow up’.

• The physicality of the body begins to change dramatically,

and so the questions of “Who am I?” begins to take certain • Confusion can lead to acts of Rebellion, and
stage
feelings of unhappiness.
• Through exploring questions and future outcomes, a sense
of identity is developed.

• The virtue of Fidelity, refers to ones ability to view

themselves are unique
 Stage 6:
Group Conflict Virtue (-) Outcome

18-40 years Intimacy v. Isolation Love Isolation/ Unhappiness

Explanation:
Stage 6 takes places during young adulthood into adulthood, Negative Outcome:
where an individual start to open up more to to others, and Avoiding this stage, can often lead an individual
they begin to search for meaningful relationships
into depression and isolation

• Intimacy, begins to be explored through long and stable • Avoiding personal relationships can isolate one
relationships with others.
from society

• Longer term commitments with others

• Isolation, and lack of connection to others can
lead one towards unhappiness
The virtue acquired during this relationship, is Love. A sense,
of safety, stability, and care in a relationship.
 Stage 7:
Group Conflict Virtue (-) Outcome

40-65 years Generativity v. Stagnation Care Unproductive

Explanation: Negative Outcome:

Stage 7, takes place during the midpoint of ones life, and thus unable to take part during this stages, gives the
they begin to view themselves as part of the bigger picture.
individual the feeling of stagnation or feeling
stuck.

• Individuals begin to form families, and raise their own

children to benefit society. (Generation = Generativity)
• They view themselves are stationary, and
everything is passing by them.

• The work, these individuals lead, allows them to feel

productive, and important.
• They begin to feel unproductive in the tasks
they accomplish
• A deeper sense of care for the welfare of others is
developed during this stage
 Stage 8:
Group Conflict Virtue (-) Outcome

65 + years Integrity v. Dispair Wisdom Disatisfaction

Explanation: Negative Outcome:

The last stage in Ericksons theory, takes place from the age of The feeling that one did not accomplish what they
65, all the way until death. Individuals are senior citizens now.
wanted to in life, will lead them to feel guilt and
dissatisfaction with the way they lived they life.

• Individuals begin to contemplate back on their life and their

accomplishments.
• Regrets or guilt about actions they took and did
not take in the past

• Integrity, in this sense signifies ones feelings of satisfaction,

with the way they conducted their life.
• Viewing one life as having been unproductive
can lead to despair upon death.
• Wisdom, is the virtue that is acquired during this stage. It
allows one to share with others their successes and failures
without guilt or remorse
 Conclusion
• Ericksons Psychosocial Theory of Development, advocates
that through mastering and overcoming the difficult conflict in
life, an individual is able to gain new abilities, and live a fruitful
life.

• Each stage serves as a turning point in the development of

oneself.

• New development can ONLY occur through CONFLICT

 Question
One could argue that some failure is needed within some
stages to teach the individual new lessons. For example
some guilt could be necessary to teach self control.

DO YOU DISAGREE OR AGREE WITH THIS STATEMENT?

EXPLAIN WHY.
 Source(s)

• https://www.khanacademy.org/test-prep/mcat/individuals-and-society/
self-identity/v/eriksons-psychosocial-development

• https://www.simplypsychology.org/Erik-Erikson.html