ERIK ERIKSON:

An Ego Theory Of
Personality
Imran Mahmood
Imran.Mahmood@ucp.edu.pk
• Erik Erikson was an ego psychologist.
• He developed one of the most popular and influential
theories of development.
• His theory is centered on psychosocial development.
• He emphasized the role of culture and society and the
conflicts that can take place within the ego itself.
• Erik Erikson maintained that personality develops in a
predetermined order, and builds upon each previous
stage. This is called the epigenetic principle.

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 PSYCHOSOCIAL
DEVELOPMENT?
• Erik Erikson's theory of psychosocial development is one of the
best-known theories of personality in psychology.
• Like Sigmund Freud, Erikson believed that personality develops in
a series of stages.
• Unlike Freud's theory of psychosexual stages, Erikson's theory
describes the impact of social experience across the whole
lifespan.
• One of the main elements of Erikson's psychosocial stage theory is
the development of ego identity.

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 EGO IDENTITY
• Ego identity is the conscious sense of self that we develop
through social interaction.
• According to Erikson, our ego identity is constantly
changing due to new experiences and information we
acquire in our daily interactions with others.
• As we face each new stage of development, we face a new
challenge that can help further develop or hinder the
development of identity.
• When psychologists talk about identity, they are referring to
all of the beliefs, ideals, and values that help shape and guide
a person's behavior.
• The formation of identity is something that begins in
childhood and becomes particularly important during
adolescence.
ERIK ERIKSON’S PSYCHOSOCIAL
STAGES OF DEVELOPMENT
Trust vs. Mistrust
• This is stage takes place during the first year of life or so.
• The infant looks towards the caregiver for stability as he/she is unaware of
the world.
• If the infant receives care which is reliable and consistent then a sense of
trust is available and in harsh and inconsistent care, mistrust is developed.
• Success in this stage will lead to a virtue of hope.

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Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt
• This is a stage which lasts between the ages of 18-months and three
years.
• The child learns to play with toys, wear their clothes themselves etc.
thus discovering their skills and attaining independence and
autonomy. If the children are encouraged in this stage, they become
confident and secure in their ability.
• If they are discouraged, they lack self-esteem and feel a sense of
shame.
• Success in this stage will lead to the virtue of will.

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Initiative vs. Guilt
• This is a stage around the ages three continuing to five where
children assert themselves more frequently.
• Children make friends, plan activities allowing them to develop a
sense of initiative and developing their abilities to lead others.
• If the children are criticized or controlled they may become followers
and develop a sense of guilt and may feel like a nuisance to others.
• Success in this stage will lead to a virtue of purpose.

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Industry vs. Inferiority
• Children are aged 5 to 12 years in this stage and are learning to read,
write, do sums etc, or do creative thing..
• The child’s peer group creates a significant source of the child’s self
esteem.
• If they are encouraged for their initiative they feel industrious and
competent to achieve their goals.
• If the opposite happens, they begin to feel inferior and doubt their
own abilities and not reach their potential.
• Success in this stage will lead to competence.

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Identity vs. Confusion
• This is a stage during adolescence i.e. age 12- 18 years.
• Children begin to look at future in terms of career, relationships, self,
family etc. the adolescent re-examines their identity to figure out
what or who he/she is.
• Erikson says that the adolescent may feel uncomfortable about their
body until they can adapt the changes.
• Role confusion involves the individual not being sure about
themselves or their place in society.
• Success in this stage will lead to the virtue of fidelity.

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Intimacy vs. Isolation
• This stage occurs during young adulthood i.e. ages 18-40years where
we begin to share ourselves more intimately with others.
• Successful completion in this stage can lead to a comfortable
relationship, a sense of commitment, safety and care etc.
• Avoiding this can lead to isolation, loneliness and sometimes
depression.
• Success in this stage will lead to the virtue of love.

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Generativity vs. Stagnation
• This stage occurs during middle adulthood i.e. ages 40-65years.
• We establish a career, develop relationships, begin families etc.
• Most importantly, we give back to society by raising our children,
being productive at work, and becoming involved in community
service etc.
• Success in this stage will lead to the virtue of care.

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Integrity vs. Despair
• This occurs at the age of 65+ where we become senior citizens and
we tend to slow down our productivity and explore life as a retired
person.
• If we see our life as productive, successful we are able to develop
integrity.
• If we see our lives unhappy and are dissatisfied with the goals we
have achieved, we develop despair, hopelessness and can become
depressed.
• Success in this stage leads to the virtue of wisdom.

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 BASIC ASSUMPTIONS
CONCERNING HUMAN NATURE
• First, the theory assumes that all humans have same basic
needs that must be met.
• Second, it assumes that through meeting these basic needs,
development occurs.
• Third, it is a stage theory that assumes that development
occurs in distinct stages rather than in a continuous manner.
• Erikson’s theory is based on what he calls the epigenetic
principle, encompassing the notion that we develop through
an unfolding of our personality in predetermined stages,
and that our environment and surrounding culture influence
how we progress through these stages.

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EMPIRICAL VALIDATION OF
PSYCHOSOCIAL CONCEPTS
• Erikson's comprehensive theory of human development has
been empirically validated by personality researchers who have
taken a status approach to the adult stages of the life cycle:
identity, intimacy, generativity, and integrity.
• An understanding of these stages has implications for
psychotherapy.
• Erikson's theory provides a descriptive language for where the
individual stands currently within a psychosocial developmental
context, where he/she might have gotten "stuck" in the past, and
where he/she is heading in terms of developmental goals.

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ANY QUESTIONS??