Erik Erikson’s Personality Theory

Psychosocial Development
throughout the
Life Span
Overview of the Theory
 Erikson believed that at each stage in
life, individual’s would face a specific
challenge
 While facing the challenge, individual’s
may struggle personally and/or socially
 Each person will ultimately follow one
of the two life stage options
Trust vs. Mistrust
 Infant’s basic needs
are either met or not
met by the parents
 Parents are expected
to provide food,
caring, comfort
 Infants learn whether
or not people are
reliable
Autonomy vs. Shame
 Children begin to explore
surroundings (if Trust is
developed, use parents as a
secure base)
 Begin to develop own interests
and try to do things on their own
 Feeding
 Dressing
 Bathroom
 Develop either self-sufficiency or
a sense of shame about own
abilities
Initiative vs. Guilt
 Undertaking, planning and
executing a task
 May feel guilt when initiative
does not produce desired
results
 Accomplishing tasks on own
 Testing limits/boundaries
 Become more autonomous if
plans are supported, but may
develop guilt if parents or
caregivers dismiss their plans
 Industry vs. Inferiority
 Development of self-
confidence
 Industry = hard working,
sacrificing play for work
 Inferiority = ridiculed or
punished for lack of ability
 Development of individual
talents
 Not doing so can lead to
poor self-esteem
 Identity vs. Role Confusion
 Transition from
childhood to adulthood
 Development of personal
identity, beliefs, values
 May test personal limits
 “Identity Crisis”
 Often a conflict between
personal desires and the
expectations of others
Intimacy vs. Isolation
 Blend own identities
with those of friends or
loved ones
 Development of long-
term relationships
 Friendships
 Marriage
 Inability to develop close
relationships may lead to
a feeling of isolation
Generativity vs. Stagnation
 Generativity – establishing
and guiding the next
generation
 Contributing to society
 Sense of productivity and
accomplishment
 Stagnation = dissatisfaction
with the lack of personal
productivity
 “What have I contributed?”
 Integrity vs. Despair
 Contemplation of personal
accomplishments
 Reflect upon one’s own
life
 Integrity = “I’ve had a
successful life”
 Despair = “I haven’t done
what I’ve wanted to do”