Understanding The Self

MODULE 04:
EPIGENETIC PRINCIPLE
4.3 PSYCHOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVE
Psychosocial Theory Erik Erikson
o Epigenetic Principle
o Stages of Psychosocial Development
ERIK ERIKSON
• German-born psychoanalyst and
developmental psychologist
• believed that humans' personalities
continued to develop past the age of five

PSYCHOSOCIAL THEORY
The theory is focused on social and • personality develops in a predetermined
psychological development in the different life order through eight stages of psychosocial
stages development, from infancy to adulthood.
• EGO IDENTITY- serves to protect • During each stage, the person experiences
individuals in the face of change produced by a psychosocial crisis which could have a
sudden changes of personal or situational positive or negative outcome for personality
factors development.
EPIGENETIC PRINCIPLE
• personality develops in a predetermined Psychosocial Theory Erik Erikson
order through eight stages of psychosocial
development, from infancy to adulthood. o Epigenetic Principle
• During each stage, the person experiences o Stages of Psychosocial Development
a psychosocial crisis which could have a
positive or negative outcome for personality
development.
Stages of Psychosocial Development

1. TRUST vs MISTRUST (Birth to 1 y/o)

• Success in this stage will lead to the virtue
of HOPE. • Failing to acquire the virtue of
hope will lead to the development of fear and
WITHDRAWAL.

2. AUTONOMY vs SHAME & DOUBT (18
mos. to 2-3 y/o)
• The aim has to be “self-control without a
loss of self-esteem”
• Success in this stage will lead to the virtue
of WILL, failure in this stage will lead to
COMPULSION.
3. INITIATIVE vs GUILT (3 to 5 y/o)
• A healthy balance between initiative and
guilt is important.
• Success in this stage will lead to the virtue
of purpose, while failure results in a sense of
guilt.
4. INDUSTRY vs INFERIORITY (5 y/o to 12
y/o)
• Success in this stage will lead to the virtue
of love
7. GENERATIVITY vs STAGNATION
(approx. 40 y/o to 65 y/o)
• Generativity refers to "making your mark" on
the world through creating or nurturing things.
• Success in this stage will lead to the virtue
of care; while failure to find a way to
contribute, we become stagnant and feel
unproductive or rejectivity..
8. EGO INTEGRITY vs DESPAIR (beyond 65
y/o)
• Ego integrity as “the acceptance of one’s
one and only life cycle as something that had
to be”
• Success at this stages leads to feelings of
wisdom, while failure results in regret,
bitterness, and despair or disdain.

• Success in this stage will lead to the virtue

of competence. Failure leads to inertia.
• Too much industry and a child will develop “THE MORE YOU KNOW YOURSELF THE
what Erikson called narrow virtuosity. MORE PATIENCE YOU HAVE FOR WHAT
YOU SEE IN OTHERS”

5. IDENTITY vs ROLE CONFUSION (12 to - ERIK ERIKSON (1902-1994)

18 y/o)
• What should happen at the end of this stage
is “a reintegrated sense of self, of what one
wants to do or be, and of one’s appropriate
sex role”.
• Success in this stage leads to a healthy
identity and development of fidelity.
• Those who do not complete this stage well
may be left feeling confused about their role
and place in life.

6. INTIMACY vs ISOLATION (19 y/o to 40

y/o)
• During this period, the major conflict centers
on forming intimate, loving relationships with
other people.
• Success leads to strong relationships, while
failure results in loneliness and isolation.