Erik Erikson’s

Personality Theory

Pratiksha Gupta
Msc Clinical Psychology (2021-2023)
A51340821028
 01. Erik Erikson

02. The Theory

03. Elements
Table of contents
04. Eight stages

05. Criticism

06. References
● Was a developmental
psychologist and psychoanalyst

● Student of Sigmund Freud

● Believed that the development Who was

of personality depended directly
on the resolution of existential
crises
Erik Erikson?
(1902-1994)
● Coined the term identity crisis,
lifespan development
 THE THEORY
❏ Centered on psychosocial development rather than psychosexual development (Freud).
❏ The theory comprises of eight developmental stages.
❏ During each stage, two conflicting ideas must be resolved successfully in order to develop
one’s personality.
❏ Failure to master these conflicts leads to feelings of inadequacy and unhealthy personality.
❏ Theory portrays how social interaction and relationships played a role in the growth of
human beings.
❏ How one has dealt with earlier issues determines how one will resolve later issues.
❏ Conflicts act as a turning point in life, at each stage of development.
❏ Erikson believed that a sense of competence motivates behaviors and actions.
ELEMENTS

Ego Identity Ego Strength Conflict

Developed by human Deals with an individual A turning point during which

interaction and how an becoming competent in an individual struggles to
individual becomes more different areas of life, by attain some psychological
conscious of themselves and becoming competent in life quality. They might face
their surrounding. they feel more important. vulnerability or strength to
success in life.
 Personality
Personality consists of relatively stable and
distinctive style of thoughts, behaviour and
emotional responses that is characterized by
the individual’s environmental situations.
01.
Trust
vs Mistrust
Age: Birth to 18 months
Relationship: Mother
Strength: Hope
Key Event: Feeding
 Trust Mistrust

When caregivers respond If caregivers neglect an infants’

immediately to an infant’s cries, needs, or if care is irregular, an
the infant can learn to depend on infant may grow insecure. They
others helping the baby develop a may learn they cannot rely on
sense of trust and security. others and thus feel unsafe.

Dependable and Reliable Undependable, unpredictable and

Dangerous
02.
Autonomy
vs Shame
Age: 2 to 3 years
Relationship: Family
Strength: Will
Key Event: Toilet Training
 Autonomy Shame

Caregivers who discourage their

Caregivers often serve as a safe
children lead them to develop
base from which to explore the
feelings of shame. If caregivers
world. When caregivers encourage
foster excessive dependence, the
independence, children will feel
child may learn to doubt their own
secure enough to face challenges.
potential.
Secure and confidence self
Inadequacy and self doubt
03.
Initiative
vs Guilt
Age: 3 to 5 years
Relationship: Family
Strength: Purpose
Key Event: Exploration, Independence
 Initiative Guilt

If children are condemned for

When caregivers look after these
being assertive, they may feel guilt
tendencies, children learn how to
for pursuing their desires.
make decisions and plan for the
Controlling caregivers may teach
future. They can grow into adults
children to follow another’s lead.
who are able to follow their
ambitions and goals.
Always being wrong, failed to
Creative and Constructive
explore
04.
Industry
vs Inferiority
Age: 6 to 11 years
Relationship: Neighbors, Friends
Strength: Confidence
Key Event: School
 Industry Inferiority

Children who do not achieve

Children who are accomplished,
milestones may doubt their
compared to their peers can
abilities. When they are constantly
develop self-confidence and pride.
criticized, they may develop
Praise for their achievements can
feelings of inferiority.
boost their self-esteem.
Weak sense of self, Incapable to
Strong sense of competence
take responsibilities
05.
Identity
vs Role
Confusion
Age: 12-15 years
Relationship: Peers, Role Models
Strength: Fidelity
Key Event: Social Relationships
 Identity Role Confusion

Adolescents need to establish a

Some adolescents may have a
clear sense of self. They will need
weak sense of self. They may
to determine their priorities in life
struggle to break away from their
(family, academic success, etc.)
ideal self. With a inconsistent
and set goals for their adult selves
identity, they may grow confused
based on those values.
about what they truly want.

Ego diffusion, identity crisis

Who we are
06.
Intimacy
vs Isolation
Age: 19-40 years
Relationship: Partners, Colleagues
Strength: Love
Key Event: Relationships
 Intimacy Isolation

Relationships can be a major People who do not develop

source of affection and intimacy in relationships may become socially
adulthood. Many find emotional isolated. They may develop
benefits from having a committed, long-term feelings of loneliness.
lifelong bond.

Strong relationship Loneliness

07.
Generativity
vs Stagnation
Age: 40 to 65 years
Relationship: Household, children
Strength: Care
Key Event: Work and Parenthood
 Generativity
People may offer guidance to the
next generation through parenting
or mentorship. They may also
offer to lead the way by
leaving a legacy and
contributing to society’s future.
Parenting, social involvement
Stagnation
Some people may feel as if they
have no impact on society. If
people do not find their work
meaningful, they may feel restless
or isolated.
Material possession, uninvolved,
unproductive
08.
Ego Integrity
vs Despair
Age: 65 to death
Relationship: Mankind
Strength: Wisdom
Key Event: Reflection on life
 Ego Integrity
Those who look back on a life they
feel was well-lived will feel
satisfied and ready to face the end
of their lives with a sense of peace.
Feeling of wisdom and meaning
Despair
Those who look back and only feel
regret will instead feel fearful that
their lives will end without
accomplishing the things they feel
they should have.
Bitterness, regret
❏ Assumes that the completion of one stage is
prerequisite for the next crisis of
development.
❏ More attention is paid to infancy and
childhood than to adult life.
❏ Questions have been raised for those adults
who rediscover themselves at a much later
CRITICISM
age due to life changes and experiences.
❏ No attention towards cognitive or emotional
development.
❏ Some terms are not easily measure
empirically.
❏ Is more of a male dominant theory.
 References

■ Cherry, K. (2021, July 18). Understanding Erikson's stages of psychosocial development. Verywell
Mind from
https://www.verywellmind.com/erik-eriksons-stages-of-psychosocial-development-2795740

■ Erikson's eight stages of development. GoodTherapy.org Therapy Blog. (n.d.). Retrieved from
https://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/psychpedia/erikson-eight-stages-development.

■ Erikson’s 8 stages of psychosocial development. (n.d.) Lumen Learning. Retrieved from

https://courses.lumenlearning.com/teachereducationx92x1/chapter/eriksons-stages-of-psycho
social-development

■ Pictures and illustrations by Nusha Ashjaee from www.verwellmind.com

Thank
You!