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Erikson's Psychosocial Theory: Dr. K. A. Korb University of Jos
Erikson's Psychosocial Theory: Dr. K. A. Korb University of Jos
theory
Dr. K. A. Korb
University of Jos
Erik Erikson
• Father abandoned before
born.
• Irregular work in Europe
without an identity.
• Took a job as a teacher for
children of Freud’s patients.
• Trained in psychoanalysis
(i.e. Freud).
• Took name as Erikson (son
of himself) symbolizing full
attainment of sense of
identity.
Dr. K. A. Korb
University of Jos
Psychosocial Development
• Psychosocial: Development of self in relationship
to society
– Psycho: Mental processes
– Social: Relating to society
• Developmental changes in behavior result from
the interaction between internal drives and
cultural demands
– Psychosocial development is culturally relative:
• Children in all cultures go through the same sequence of
stages, but each culture has its own way of directing the
child’s behavior
• Social demands change within each culture over time
Dr. K. A. Korb
University of Jos
Erikson’s Stages of
Psychosocial Development
• Maturation and culture’s expectations create
eight crises that the individual must resolve for
healthy development
– Cultural demands change as a child ages
• Development continues throughout the lifespan
– Main goal in life is the search for identity
• Identity: Understanding and accepting one’s self and society
• Eight psychosocial stages throughout the lifespan
influences identity
Dr. K. A. Korb
University of Jos
Erikson’s Stages of
Psychosocial Development
• Each stage is characterized by a crisis
– Crisis: a psychosocial challenge that presents
opportunities for development
– Positive resolution of crisis leads to growth but
negative resolution (or no resolution) leads to
maladjustment
• Positive resolution: Constructive orientation toward
future events related to that conflict
• Negative resolution: Problems resolving future crises
Dr. K. A. Korb
University of Jos
Erikson’s Stages of
Psychosocial Development
Stage Age Crisis
(years)
Infancy 0-1 Trust vs. Mistrust*
Early Childhood 2-3 Autonomy vs. Shame & Doubt
Preschool 3-5 Initiative vs. Guilt
School Age 6-11 Industry vs. Inferiority
Adolescence 12-20 Identity vs. Role Confusion*
Young Adults Mid-20s Intimacy vs. Isolation*
Adulthood 25-60 Generativity vs. Stagnation*
Old Age 60+ Ego Integrity vs. Despair
Dr. K. A. Korb
University of Jos
Age: 0-1 years
Primary Event: Feeding
Stage 1:
Trust vs. Mistrust
• Newborns cannot meet their own needs
– Have to trust that their mother meets their needs
– Trust: Essential trustfulness of others and sense of
one’s own trustworthiness
• Positive Resolution: Trust in the world based
on basic needs being met
• Parents’ Role: Provide warmth and
responsiveness to child’s needs to foster a
secure attachment
Dr. K. A. Korb
University of Jos
Age: 2-3 years
Primary Event: Toilet Training
Stage 2:
Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt
• Failing at toilet training leads to shame and doubt in
abilities
• Autonomy: Determination to exercise free will
• Shame and doubt about one’s self-control and
independence results if:
– Trust crisis was not resolved
– Toilet training was too harsh
– Child’s will is broken by over-controlling parents
• Positive Resolution: Development of self-confidence
based on encouragement and limit setting
• Parents’ Role: Balance the child’s desire for autonomy
and parent’s need to control the child’s behavior
Dr. K. A. Korb
University of Jos
Age: 3-5 years
Stage 3: Primary Event: Independence
Committed to Identity?
Yes No
Identity Identity
Yes
Searching Achievement Moratorium
for Identity? Identity Identity
No
Foreclosure Diffusion
Dr. K. A. Korb
University of Jos
Age: mid-20s
Primary Event: Loving Relationships
Stage 6:
Intimacy vs. Isolation
• Intimacy: Close committed relationship with
someone
– Identity is necessary for intimacy with others
• Positive Resolution: Ability to self-disclose
with another person
Dr. K. A. Korb
University of Jos
Age: 25-60 years
Primary Event: Parenting
Stage 7:
Generativity vs. Stagnation
• Generativity: Desire to create things in the
world that will outlive you
• Stagnation: Self-absorption
• Positive Resolution: Acts of caring beyond the
self
Dr. K. A. Korb
University of Jos
Age: 60+ years
Primary Event: Reflection on Life
Stage 8:
Ego Integrity vs. Despair
• Ego Integrity: View that one’s life has had
meaning and acceptance of one’s choices.
• Despair: Regret for what one has or has not
done with their life
• Positive Resolution: Satisfaction about the
past
Dr. K. A. Korb
University of Jos
Comparing Developmental Theories
Active/Passive Nature/Nurture Stage/Continuous
Piaget Active Both Stage
Information Processing Active Both Both
Sociocultural Active Both Continuous
Neo-Piagetians Active Both Stage
Social Learning Both Nurture Continuous
Psychosocial Passive Both Stage
Attachment
Ecological Systems
Dr. K. A. Korb
University of Jos
Critique of Psychosocial Theory
• Strengths
– One of first developmental theories to focus on
development across the lifespan
– Logical progression of life stages
• Weakness
– The theory does not explain why development
occurs
Dr. K. A. Korb
University of Jos
Implications for Education
• Importance of early relationships with
caregivers
• Illustrates the significance of successful
experiences in school
• Explains that children of different ages have
different social needs
Dr. K. A. Korb
University of Jos
Revision
• Describe Erikson’s eight stages.
• Explain what a teacher/parent can do to
support development in each of the childhood
stages
Dr. K. A. Korb
University of Jos