Laguna State Polytechnic University - SCC

College of Nursing and Allied Health

Psychosocial

Development
ERIK ERIKSON
Prepared by: Erica E. Velasco

brief biography
Erik Erikson (June 15, 1902 - May 12, 1994) was born in Frankfurt,
Germany.
His young Jewish mother, Karla Abrahamsen, raised Erik by herself
for a time before marrying a physician, Dr. Theodore Homberger.
The fact that Homberger was not his biological father was
concealed from Erikson for many years. When he finally did learn
the truth, Erikson was left with a feeling of confusion about who
he really was.
When Erikson graduated high school, he wandered the streets of
London, hoping to become an artist.
When he was 25, one of his friends suggested he apply for a
teaching position at an American school that was run by Dorothy
Burlingham.
It was here that he began learning about psychology.
brief biography
Erikson met Anna Freud while working in Vienna, Erikson decided
to pursue the field of psychoanalysis. He studied child
development at the Vienna Psychoanalytic Institute through the
Montessori method, which focused on psychosexual and
developmental stages. Erikson received a diploma from the
institute, but he never received a formal degree. Instead, his
knowledge was based upon his experiences and extensive reading.

The Erikson’s first settled in Boston, where he became the first

male to practice child psychoanalysis in the Boston area and also
served at the Harvard Medical School, Judge Baker Guidance
Center, and Harvard’s Psychological Clinic, where he came into
contact with psychologist Kurt Lewin and anthropologists
Margaret Mead and Gregory Bateson.
Contribution to psychology
Erikson impacted psychological theories by
expanding upon Sigmund Freud’s original five
stages of development. Pioneering the study
of the life cycle, Erikson believed that each
person progressed through eight stages of
development. Erikson emphasized that the
environment played a major role in self-
awareness, adjustment, human development,
and identity.
 8 STAGES OF
PSYCHOSOCIAL
DEVELOPMENT
 Trust Vs. Mistrust
Infancy (Birth - 18 months)

This stage occurs between the ages of

birth and 1.5 years and is centered on
developing a sense of trust in
caregivers and the world. Children who
receive responsive care are able to
develop the psychological quality of
hope.

Major Question: "Can I trust the people

around me?"
Basic Virtue: Hope
Important Event: Feeding
 Autonomy vs shame and doubt
Early Childhood (18 months - 3 years)

This stage takes place between the

ages of 18 months and 3 years and
involves gaining a sense of
independence and personal control.
Success in this stage allows people to
develop will and determination.

Major Question: "Can I do things

myself or am I reliant on the help of
others?"
Basic Virtue: Will
Important Event: Toilet training
 Initiative vs. Guilt
Preschool (3 years - 6 years)

Between the ages of 3 and 6 years,

children begin to explore their
environment and exert more control
over their choices. By successfully
completing this stage, children are able
to develop a sense of purpose.

Major Question: “Am I good or bad?”

Basic Virtue: Purpose
Important Events: Exploration, Play
 Industry vs. Inferiority
School Age (6 years - 12 years)

The stage that takes place between the

ages of about 6 and 12 years is focused
on developing a sense of personal pride
and accomplishment. Success at this
point in development leads to a sense of
competence.

Major Question: "How can I be good?"

Basic Virtue: Competence
Important Event: School
 Identity vs. Confusion
Adolescence (12 years - 18 years)

The teen years are a time of personal

exploration. Those who are able to
successfully forge a healthy identity
develop a sense of fidelity. Those who
do not complete this stage well may be
left feeling confused about their role
and place in life.

Major question: "Who am I?"

Basic virtue: Fidelity
Important event: Social relationships
 intimacy vs. isolation
Young Adulthood (19 years - 40 years)

The stage that takes place in early

adulthood is all about forging healthy
relationships with others. Success leads
to the ability to form committed,
lasting, and nurturing relationships
with others.

Major Question: "Will I be loved or will I

be alone?"
Basic Virtue: Love
Important Event: Romantic
relationships
Generativity vs. Stagnation
Middle Adulthood (40 years - 65 years)

At the stage occurring during middle

adulthood, people become concerned
with contributing something to society
and leaving their mark on the world.
Raising a family and having a career are
two key activities that contribute to
success at this stage.

Major Question: "How can I contribute

to the world?"
Basic Virtue: Care
Important Event: Parenthood and
Work
 integrity vs. despair
Maturity (65 years - Death)

At the stage occurring during middle

adulthood, people become concerned
with contributing something to society
and leaving their mark on the world.
Raising a family and having a career are
two key activities that contribute to
success at this stage.

Major Question: "Did I live a

meaningful life?"
Basic Virtue: Wisdom
Important Event: Reflecting back on
life
 REFERENCES

Cherry, K. (2020). Biography of Stefa1dm (2010). Erickson’S 8 Stages Good Therapy (2015). Erik Erikson
Erik Erikson (1902-1994). Retrieved Of Development Fixed. Retrieved on (1902-1994). Retrieved on January 8,
on January 8, 2022 from January 8, 2022 from 2022 from
https://www.verywellmind.com/erik https://www.slideshare.net/stefa1dm/ https://www.goodtherapy.org/famou
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