Erikson’S Stages Of Psychosocial Development

Erikson’s Theory of Psychosocial Development

Approximate Age Developmental Task + Description Other Information

Trust v. Mistrust  Torn between trusting & mistrusting parents Infancy  If needs are met, will develop a sense of basic trust Babies learn to trust or mistrust others based on  If needs are not met, may become suspicious, fearful & (0-1) whether or not their needs – such as food and overly concerned about security comfort – are met.

Autonomy v. Shame & Doubt  Begin to have greater contact with surroundings Toddler  Learn to hold things, manipulate objects & control bodily Toddlers realize that they can direct their own functions (1-2) behavior.  Failure to do so may lead to self-doubt and shame

Initiative v. Guilt  Learn to initiate tasks & execute plans Preschooler  Parental support for these initiatives can lead to a sense of Preschoolers are challenged to control their own joy (3-5) behavior, such as controlling their exuberance  Failure to acquire a sense of initiative may lead to strong when they are in a restaurant. feelings of guilt, unworthiness and resentment

Industry v. Inferiority Elementary  Children encounter a new set of expectations & skills (home & school) School-aged children are faced with learning new  Failure to meet these expectations may lead the child to social & academic skills. Social comparison is a (6-puberty) conclude that they are inadequate or mediocre primary source of information.

Identity v. Role Confusion Adolescence  Childhood ends, adulthood begins; must forge an identity Adolescents are faced with deciding who or what  Failure to forge an identity may lead to role confusion & (teens-early 20s) they want to be in terms of occupation, beliefs, despair attitudes and behavioral patterns.

 Men & women must learn to be intimate (emotionally and Intimacy v. Isolation Young Adulthood physically) with another adult  (Must have resolved earlier developmental issues to The task facing those in early young adulthood is become intimate) to be able to share who they are with another (mid 20s-30s)  Failure to do so may lead to a painful sense of loneliness person in a close, committed relationship. and isolation

 Must remain productive & creative in all aspects of one’s Generativity v. Stagnation Middle Adulthood life  People who have successfully negotiated the previous The challenge is to be creative, productive and stages are likely to find meaning & joy in all aspects of (40s-50s) nurturing to the next generation their lives

Ego Integrity v. Despair Late Adulthood  Must come to terms with the approach of death  People who have gained full maturity by resolving earlier The issue is whether a person will reach wisdom, stages possess the integrity to face death with minimum spiritual tranquility, a sense of wholeness, and (60s+) fear acceptance of his or her life.