Erik erikson

The life is a continuous process involving learning and trials which help us to grow as individuals, so
Erikson’s enlightening theory guides us and helps us to tell us why and in this theory or stages of
pychosocial development were included in the chapter entitled “ The 8 stages of man that was
published and written by Erik Erikson and he expanded and refined his theory in later book and
revisions. Before we further discuss the 8 stages of the psychosocial development by Erik Erikson, we
need first to unlock what are the important concepts that we will learn as we go on with our discussion.

First, when we say Psychosocial, or why did Erik Erikson called this theory as the Psychosocial theory, so
Erik Erikson Psychosocial term is derived from two source words, which namely psychological/ psycho,
which means relating to the mind, brain, personality of an individual. And the other one was social,
which refers to the external relationships and environment, so both are the heart of Erikson’s theory,

Erikson’s theory was largely influenced by the Sigmund Freud’s Psychoanalytic Theory, Erikson’s
extended the theory and incorporated cultural and social aspects into Freud’s biological and sexually
oriented theory. So in an overview of this theory, as we reach every stage of the human development,
we have different crisis that we have faced in every stage,

And just like other influential theories, Erikson’s model is simple and well designed.

So as an educator, why do we have to study this, because it can help us in becoming more
knowledgeable and at the same time understanding of the various environmental factors that affect our
own and our learner’s personality and behaviours. Since that the theory is very accessible and relevant
in the modern world, so it is very useful for teaching, parenting, self-awareness, managing, coaching,
dealing with conflict and generally for understanding self and others,

Each stage involves a psychosocial crisis of two opposing emotional forces, a helpful term used by
Erikson’s for these opposing forces is contrary disposition so, so each crisis stage relates to our
corresponding life stage and it’s inherent challenges. Erikson used the word syntonic for the first listed
or the positive disposition and dystonic for the 2 nd listed or the negative disposition. And if a stage is
managed well, we carry away a certain virtue or psychosocial strength which will help us through the
rest of the stages of our lives. So successfully passes each through crisis involves achieving a healthy
ratio or balance between the two opposing dispositions that represent each crisis. On the other hand, if
we don’t manage well the dispositions in each stage we may develop mal adaptations and malignancies
as well as endanger all our future development

The crisis stage are not sharply defined steps, elements tend to overlap and mingle from one stage to
another or next and to the preceding stages. It is a broad framework and concept. Erikson was keen to
point out that the transition like here in our illustration that the transition between stages is
overlapping.

STAGE 1

The trust versus mistrust stage is the first stage of psychologist Erik Erikson’s theory of
psychosocial development. This stage begins at birth and lasts until your child is around 18
months old. According to Erikson, it is the most important period of your child's life, as it shapes
their view of the world as well as their overall personality.
Erikson's psychosocial development theory has seven other stages that span throughout a
person's lifetime. At each stage, people face conflicts that can result in gaining psychological
strength or being left with a weakness.

The Importance of Trust

Babies are almost entirely dependent on their caregivers. So it should come as no surprise that
how parents interact with their babies has a profound effect on both their physical and mental
health.

Erikson believed that early patterns of trust help children build a strong base of trust that's crucial
for their social and emotional development. If a child successfully develops trust, they will feel
safe and secure in the world. You're essentially shaping their personality and determining how
they will view the world.1

Children who learn to trust caregivers in infancy will be more likely to form trusting
relationships with others throughout the course of their lives.
Consequences of Mistrust
Children raised by consistently unreliable, unpredictable parents who fail to meet these basic
needs eventually develop an overall sense of mistrust.2
Mistrust can cause children to become fearful, confused, and anxious, all of which make it
difficult to form healthy relationships. This, in turn, can lead to poor social support, isolation,
and loneliness.

One study done with female twins, both identical and fraternal, concluded that a trusting
personality seems to be at least in part genetic, while a mistrustful or distrusting personality
seems to be learned from family and other social influences

STAGE 2

utonomy versus shame and doubt is the second stage of Erik Erikson’s stages of psychosocial

development. This stage occurs between the ages of 18 months to around age 2 or 3 years.
According to Erikson, children at this stage are focused on developing a greater sense of self-
control.

 Psychosocial Conflict: Autonomy versus shame and doubt

 Major Question: "Can I do things myself or am I reliant on the help of others?"
 Basic Virtue: Will
  Important Event(s): Toilet training

Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt Builds on the

Previous Stage
Erikson's theory of psychosocial development describes a series of eight stages that take place
throughout the course of life. The first stage of development, trust versus mistrust, is all about
developing a sense of trust about the world. The next stage, autonomy versus shame and doubt,
builds upon that earlier stage and lays the foundation for the future stages to come. 

What Happens During Stage 2

If you are a parent or if you have ever interacted with a child between the ages of 18 months and
3 years, then you have probably witnessed many of the hallmarks of the autonomy versus shame
and doubt stage. It is at this point in development that young children begin to express a greater
need for independence and control over themselves and the world around them.

During the previous stage of development, trust versus mistrust, children are almost entirely
dependent upon others for their care and safety. It is during this stage that children build the
foundations of trust in the world. As they progress into the second stage, however, it is important
for young children to begin developing a sense of personal independence and control. As they
learn to do things for themselves, they establish a sense of control over themselves as well as
some basic confidence in their own abilities.

Important Tasks
Gaining a sense of personal control over the world is important at this stage of development.
Children at this age are becoming increasingly independent and want to gain more control over
what they do and how they do it. There are a number of different tasks that are often important
during the autonomy versus shame and doubt stage of development.

Children who successfully complete this stage feel secure and confident, while those who do not
are left with a sense of inadequacy and self-doubt. This stage also serves as an important
building block for future development. Kids who have confidence in their skills are more likely
to succeed in subsequent tasks such as mastering social, academic, and other skills.

Offering reassurance and having faith in your child's abilities is crucial to the development of a
sense of autonomy and confidence.1 Parents who are negative or who punish a child for simple
mistakes can contribute to feelings of shame or self-doubt.
STAGE 3

Initiative versus guilt is the third stage of Erik Erikson’s theory of psychosocial development.

This stage occurs during the preschool years, between the ages of 3 and 5. During the initiative
versus guilt stage, children begin to assert their power and control over the world through
directing play and other social interaction.1

Overview:

 Psychosocial Conflict: Initiative versus guilt

 Major Question: “Am I good or bad?”
 Basic Virtue: Purpose
 Important Event(s): Exploration, play

What Is Initiative?
Within the context of Erikson's theory, initiative is "a truly free sense of enterprise, manifested at
the societal level in a society’s economic structure and endeavour."2
Benefits of Initiative
Kids who develop initiative are eager to try new activities and experiences without excessive fear
of failure. They learn what they can and cannot control. When they do make mistakes, they don't
feel guilty; they understand that they just need to try again. By trying things on their own and
exploring their own abilities, they can develop ambition and direction.

What Is Guilt?
A child who feels more guilt than initiative at this stage learns to resist trying new things for fear
of failing.

Success and Failure in Stage 3

Success in this stage relies on a healthy balance between initiative and guilt. Initiative leads to a
sense of purpose and can help develop leadership skills; failure results in guilt. Essentially, kids
who don't develop initiative at this stage may become fearful of trying new things. When they do
direct efforts toward something, they may feel that they are doing something wrong.

How to Build Initiative

Children need to begin asserting control and power over the environment by taking initiative by
planning activities, accomplishing tasks and facing challenges. During this stage, it is important
for caregivers to encourage exploration and to help children make appropriate choices.
Caregivers who are discouraging or dismissive may cause children to feel ashamed of
themselves and to become overly dependent upon the help of others.1
This stage can sometimes be frustrating for parents and caregivers as children begin to exercise
more control over the things that impact their lives. Such decisions can range from the friends
they play with, the activities they engage in, and the way that they approach different tasks.
Parents and other adults might want to guide children toward certain friends, activities, or
choices, but children might resist and insist on making their own choices. Although this might
lead to conflict with parental wishes at times, it is important to give kids a chance to make such
choices. In doing so, parents must continue to enforce safe boundaries and encourage children to
make good choices through the use of modeling and reinforcement
How to Limit Guilt
Caregivers should encourage children to see their mistakes as learning opportunities. It's very
important that parents and teachers avoid excessive criticism, ridicule, and dismissiveness at this
stage and encourage children to keep trying through practice and persistence. Encouraging a
child's natural curiosity without judgment or impatience is crucial.

Children who are over-directed by adults may struggle to develop a sense of initiative and
confidence in their own abilities.

Stage 4

Industry versus inferiority is the fourth stage of Erik Erikson's theory of psychosocial
development, which happens after the third stage of initiative versus guilt. The stage occurs
during childhood between the ages of approximately six and eleven.1

 Psychosocial Conflict: Industry vs. Inferiority

 Major Question: "How can I be good?"
 Basic Virtue: Competence
 Important Event(s): School

According to Erikson’s theory, people progress through a series of stages as they develop and
grow. Unlike many other developmental theories, Erikson’s addresses changes that occur across
the entire lifespan, from birth to death.

Psychosocial theory does not focus on the obvious physical changes that occur as children grow
up, but rather on the socioemotional factors that influence an individual's psychological
growth.2 At each point in development, people cope with a psychosocial crisis. In order to
resolve this crisis, children and adults are faced with mastering the developmental task primarily
to that stage.

If this skill is successfully achieved, it leads to an ability that contributes to lifelong well-being. For
example, achieving trust is the primary task of the very first stage of development.3 It is an ability that
contributes to emotional health throughout life during both childhood and adulthood. Failing to master
these critical tasks, however, can result in social and emotional struggles that last a lifetime.
So what exactly happens during the industry versus
inferiority stage? What factors contribute to overall success
at this point in development? What are some of the major
events that contribute to psychosocial growth?
The Social World Expands
School and social interaction play an important role during this time of a child’s life.1 A child's
social world expands considerably as they enter school and gain new friendships with peers.
Through social interactions, children begin to develop a sense of pride in their accomplishments
and abilities.

During the earlier stages, a child’s interactions centered primarily on caregivers, family
members, and others in their immediate household. As the school years begin, the realm of social
influence increases dramatically. Friends and classmates play a role in how children progress
through the industry versus inferiority stage. Through proficiency at play and schoolwork,
children are able to develop a sense of competence and pride in their abilities. By feeling
competent and capable, children are able to also form a strong self-concept. During social
interactions with peers, some children may discover that their abilities are better than those of
their friends or that their talents are highly prized by others.4 This can lead to feelings of
confidence. In other cases, kids may discover that they are not quite as capable as the other kids,
which can result in feelings of inadequacy.

Schoolwork Helps Build Competency and

Confidence
At earlier stages of development, children were largely able to engage in activities for fun and to
receive praise and attention. Once school begins, actual performance and skill are evaluated.
Grades and feedback from educators encourage kids to pay more attention to the actual quality of
their work.

During the industry versus inferiority stage, children become capable of performing increasingly
complex tasks. As a result, they strive to master new skills. Children who are encouraged and
commended by parents and teachers develop a feeling of competence and belief in their abilities.
Those who receive little or no encouragement from parents, teachers, or peers will doubt their
ability to be successful.

Children who struggle to develop this sense of competence may emerge from this stage with
feelings of failure and inferiority. This can set the stage for later problems in development.
People who don't feel competent in their ability to succeed may be less likely to try new things
and more likely to assume that their efforts will not measure up under scrutiny.
Events at This Stage Can Build or Undermine
Self-Confidence
According to Erikson, this stage is vital in developing self-confidence.5 During school and other
social activities, children receive praise and attention for performing various tasks such as
reading, writing, drawing, and solving problems.

Kids who do well in school are more likely to develop a sense of competence and confidence.
They feel good about themselves and their ability to succeed.

Children who struggle with schoolwork may have a harder time developing these feelings of
sureness. Instead, they may be left with feelings of inadequacy and inferiority.

At this stage, it is important for both parents and teachers to offer support and encouragement.
However, adults should be careful not to equate achievement with acceptance and love.
Unconditional love and support from adults can help all children through this stage, but
particularly those who may struggle with feelings of inferiority.

Children who are overpraised, on the other hand, might develop a sense of arrogance. Clearly,
balance plays a major role at this point in development.

Parents can help kids develop a sense of realistic competence by avoiding excessive praise and
rewards, encouraging efforts rather than outcome, and helping kids develop a growth mindset.

Even if children struggle in some areas of school, encouraging kids in areas in which they excel
can help foster feelings of competence and achievement

Example
Perhaps the best way to visualize how the industry vs inferiority stage might impact a child is to
look at an example. Imagine two children in the same 4th-grade class.

Olivia finds science lessons difficult, but her parents are willing to help her each night with her
homework. She also asks the teacher for help and starts to receive encouragement and praise for
her efforts.

Jack also struggles with science, but his parents are uninterested in assisting him with his nightly
homework. He feels bad about the poor grades he receives on his science assignments but is not
sure what to do about the situation. His teacher is critical of his work but does not offer any extra
assistance or advice. Eventually, Jack just gives up, and his grades become even worse.

While both children struggled with this aspect of school, Olivia received the support and
encouragement she needed to overcome these difficulties and still build a sense of mastery. Jack,
however, lacked the social and emotional encouragement he needed. In this area, Olivia will
likely develop a sense of industry where Jack will be left with feelings of inferiority.
A Word From Verywell
It's important to note that this is a theory. And the psychosocial theory has received some
criticism. One major area of criticism stems from the idea that the exact mechanisms for
resolving conflict and moving from one stage to the next are not well described. The theory fails
to provide details about how an individual can

Stage 5

According to Erikson, people progress through a series of stages as they grow and change
throughout life. During each stage, people face a developmental conflict that must be resolved to
successfully develop the primary virtue of that stage. He was interested in how social interaction
and relationships affect development and growth.

What to Know

 Psychosocial conflict: Identity vs. confusion

 Major question: "Who am I?"
 Basic virtue: Fidelity
 Important event(s): Social relationships

What Are Identity and Role Confusion?

As they transition from childhood to adulthood, teens may begin to feel confused or insecure
about themselves and how they fit into society. As they seek to establish a sense of self, teens
may experiment with different roles, activities, and behaviors. According to Erikson, this is
important to the process of forming a strong identity and developing a sense of direction in life.

to keep this in mind.

One of the main elements of Erikson's psychosocial stage theory is the development of ego
identity. It is the conscious sense of self that we develop through social interaction, which
is constantly changing due to new experiences and information we acquire in our daily
interactions with others. 

Identity
Erikson defines identity as a “fundamental organizing principal which develops constantly
throughout the lifespan.”

Identity involves the experiences, relationships, beliefs, values, and memories that make up a
person's subjective sense of self. This helps create a continuous self-image that remains fairly
constant even as new aspects of the self are developed or strengthened over time. Identity
provides the following:
During the identity vs. confusion stage, the conflict is centered on developing a personal identity.
Successfully completing this stage leads to a strong sense of self that will remain throughout life.

Benefits of Identity
There are numerous benefits behind shaping and forming an identity.

 Commitment: Resolving the crisis at this stage of development involves committing to a

particular identity. This might involve committing to a career path, deciding what social
groups to associate with, and even developing a sense of personal style.
 Self-confidence: Those who are able to develop a strong sense of identity are better able
to have self-confidence, or a sense of trust in their abilities, qualities, and judgements.
 Sense of independence: Those who receive proper encouragement and reinforcement
through personal exploration will emerge from this stage with a strong sense of self and a
feeling of independence and control. Those who remain unsure of their beliefs and
desires will remain insecure and confused about themselves and the future.
 Fidelity: Those who are successful develop fidelity, a psychological virtue characterized
by the ability to relate to others and form genuine relationships.1 This ability plays an
important role in the upcoming stage known as intimacy versus isolation.

Causes
There are various factors that contribute to whether a person forms a strong identity. Friends,
family, schoolmates, other social groups, societal trends, and pop culture all play a role in
shaping and forming identity.

Different identities can also intersect to shape a person’s overall sense of self.

Consequences of Role Confusion

Role confusion can have lasting consequences on a person's life, including:2

 Difficulties with commitment: A stable personal identity allows individuals to have

better relationships with others.
 Worse mental health and well-being: Research has linked a strong sense of identity to
better emotional and psychological well-being in adolescents.
 Weak sense of self: Role confusion has been found to lead to a weak sense of self.3
 Lack of confidence: A lack of self-identity can make it difficult for people to have
confidence in themselves and their abilities.

How to Strengthen Identity

No matter where you are in your life, there are things you can do to help build a stronger sense of
identity. For example, thinking about what your values are helps solidify your identity. Core
values are those things that are really important and meaningful to you and that motivate you and
guide your decisions.
It's important to spend time alone to get to know yourself better. Those quiet moments can help
you focus on your priorities and improve your sense of self. Relatedly, learn to practice self-
compassion, which can help you better understand and accept your flaws and limitations.

How to Decrease Role Confusion

If you're feeling confused about who you are and your role in life, there are steps you can take to
decrease role confusion.

 Build on your strengths. Identify the areas in your life in which you excel, and take time
to develop and build on those strengths.
 Try new things to discover what you like. Think about your passions and interests.
Brainstorm some ideas around things that excite you.
 Make commitments and set goals. While you can set goals in any part of your life,
consider thinking about some common areas like health, career, finances, and education.
 Participate in activities that are related to your interests. Whether church events or
clubs for sports, take the initiative to become part of something that interests you.

Stage 6

Intimacy versus isolation is the sixth stage of Erik Erikson's theory of psychosocial development,
which happens after the fifth stage of identity vs role confusion. This stage takes place during
young adulthood between the ages of approximately 19 and 40.

The major conflict at this stage of life centers on forming intimate, loving relationships with
other people. Success at this stage leads to fulfilling relationships. Struggling at this stage, on the
other hand, can result in feelings of loneliness and isolation.

Overview

 Psychosocial Conflict: Intimacy versus isolation

 Major Question: "Will I be loved or will I be alone?"
 Basic Virtue: Love
 Important Event(s): Romantic relationships

What is intimacy

 While the word intimacy is closely associated with sex for many, it encompasses much
more than that. Erikson described intimate relationships as those characterized by
closeness, honesty, and love.
 Romantic and sexual relationships can be an important part of this stage of life, but
intimacy is more about having close, loving relationships. It includes romantic partners,
but it can also encompass close, enduring friendships with people outside of your family.
 Benefits of intimacy

People who navigate this period of life successfully are able to forge fulfilling relationships with
other people. This plays an important role in creating supportive social networks that are important
for both physical and mental health throughout life.

What Causes Intimacy or Isolation?

Intimacy requires being able to share parts of yourself with others, as well as the ability to listen
to and support other people. These relationships are reciprocal—you are sharing parts of
yourself, and others are sharing with you.

When this happens successfully, you gain the support, intimacy, and companionship of another
person. But sometimes things don't go so smoothly. You might experience rejection or other
responses that cause you to withdraw. It might harm your confidence and self-esteem, making
you warier of putting yourself out there again in the future.

Isolation can happen for a number of reasons. Factors that may increase your risk of becoming
lonely or isolated include:

 Childhood experiences including neglect or abuse

 Divorce or death of a partner
 Fear of commitment
 Fear of intimacy
 Inability to open up
 Past relationships
 Troubles with self-disclosure

No matter what the cause, it can have a detrimental impact on your life. It may lead to feelings of
loneliness and even depression.

Consequences of Isolation
Struggling in this stage of life can result in loneliness and isolation. Adults who struggle with
this stage experience:

 Few or no friendships
 Lack of intimacy
 Lack of relationships
 Poor romantic relationships
 Weak social support

They might never share deep intimacy with their partners or might even struggle to develop any
relationships at all. This can be particularly difficult as these individuals watch friends and
acquaintances fall in love, get married, and start families.
Loneliness can affect overall health in other ways. For example, socially isolated people tend to
have unhealthier diets, exercise less, experience greater daytime fatigue, and have poorer sleep.1

Loneliness and isolation can lead to a wide range of negative health consequences including:2

 Cardiovascular disease
 Depression
 Substance misuse
 Stress
 Suicide

How to Build Intimacy

Learning to be open and sharing with others is an important part of the intimacy versus isolation
stage. Some of the other important tasks that can play a role in succeeding or struggling at this
point of development include:

 Being intimate: This is more than just engaging in sex; it means forging emotional
intimacy and closeness. Intimacy does not necessarily have to be with a sexual partner.
People can also gain intimacy from friends and loved ones.
 Caring for others: It is essential to be able to care about the needs of others.
Relationships are reciprocal. Getting love is important at this stage, but so is giving it.
 Making commitments: Part of being able to form strong relationships involves being
able to commit to others for the long term.
 Self-disclosure: This involves sharing part of the self with others, while still maintaining
a strong sense of self-identity.

How to Overcome Isolation

If you are struggling with feelings of isolation, there are things that you can do to form closer
relationships with other people:

Avoid Negative Self-Talk

The things we tell ourselves can have an impact on our ability to be confident in relationships,
particularly if those thoughts are negative. When you catch yourself having this type of inner
dialogue, focus on replacing negative thoughts with more realistic ones.

Build Skills
Sometimes practicing social skills can be helpful when you are working toward creating new
relationships. Consider taking a course in social skill development or try practicing your skills in
different situations each day.
Determine What You Like
Research suggests that factors such as mutual interests and personality similarity play important
roles in friendships.4 Knowing your interests and then engaging in activities around those
interests is one way to build lasting friendships. If you enjoy sports, for example, you might
consider joining a local community sports team.
Evaluate Your Situation
What are your needs? What type of relationship are you seeking? Figuring out what you are
looking for in a partner or friend can help you determine how you should go about looking for
new relationships.

Practice Self-Disclosure
Being able to share aspects of yourself can be difficult, but you can get better at it through
practice. Consider things you would be willing to share about yourself with others, then practice.
Remember that listening to others is an essential part of this interaction as well.

Stage 7

Generativity versus stagnation is the seventh stage of Erik Erikson’s theory of psychosocial
development. This stage takes place during middle adulthood, between the approximate ages of 40
and 65.1 It comes before the eighth and final stage of development according to Erikson's theory,
which is integrity versus despair.

During this stage, middle-aged adults strive to create or nurture things that will outlast them,
often by parenting children or fostering positive changes that benefit others. Contributing to
society and doing things to promote future generations are important needs at the generativity
versus stagnation stage of development.1

It's important to note that life events at this stage tend to be less age-specific than they are during
early- and late-stage life. The major events that contribute to this stage (such as marriage, work,
and child-rearing) can occur at any point during the broad span of middle adulthood.

What to Know

 Psychosocial Conflict: Generativity Versus Stagnation

 Major Question: "How can I contribute to the world?"
 Basic Virtue: Care
 Important Event(s): Parenthood and Work

Generativity

These sorts of actions are frequently realized through having and raising children. Those who are
successful during this phase feel that they are contributing to the world by being active in their home and
community.

Stagnation
Those who fail to attain the generativity skill feel unproductive in and uninvolved with the world.

Benefits of Generativity
Developing a sense of generativity can have a number of important benefits. These include:

 Better health: Research suggests that generativity can provide a greater motivation to
initiate and maintain healthy behaviors.3 People who feel that they have the power to
make a difference may be more likely to pursue health-promoting activities because they
believe that such actions can be meaningful.
 More positive relationships: For many adults, parenting plays a key role in the
development of a sense of generativity, but it is not the only path. Erikson himself
suggested that participating in the lives of others (whether they are one's children, friends,
or others) is an important way to gain a sense of making a contribution and difference in
the world.4
 Greater productivity: The actions required to develop a sense of generativity involve
taking an active, participatory role in the world. Generative people are productive in a
variety of ways, including teaching, mentoring, and volunteering—both in their personal
lives as well as at work.5
 Greater fulfillment: Because generativity is focused on making contributions, people
who are able to develop this skill are also more likely to experience a greater sense of
satisfaction with themselves and with life in general.6 They are able to look at their life,
family, and work and feel that they have lived a life of consequence and joy.
 Increased community involvement: During the early part of adulthood, parenting and
family tend to be the dominant factors contributing to the development of generativity.
But research has also found that giving assistance to others, often in the form of civic
engagement, also plays a role in generativity as people age.7

What Contributes to Generativity?

There are a number of factors that can contribute to the development of either generativity or
stagnation during middle age. Here are a few to consider.8

 Pride in work and family: This aspect of the generativity versus stagnation stage is
centered on the sense of pride that adults take in their families and children. In many
ways, it mirrors the autonomy versus shame and doubt stage of early childhood. Pride can
occur through parenting, although not all people who produce offspring become
supportive and giving parents. Plus, those who do not have children are still able to give
to the next generation in meaningful ways.
 Feeling included: Feeling part of something, whether it is a family unit or a larger group
or community, is essential for the development of generativity. This centers on the scope
of caregiving activities and on what and who an individual is willing to include in their
life. Research indicates that participating in social organizations can assist with
developing generativity by providing feelings of inclusion.9 This reflects the trust versus
mistrust stage of early childhood.
  Taking responsibility: As people go through adulthood, they must choose whether to
take responsibility for their lives and choices. This reflects the initiative versus guilt
stage seen earlier during childhood. People who take responsibility are more likely to feel
empowered and in control of their lives and destiny.10 This helps lead to a sense of
making a contribution to the world.
 Feeling productive: Work plays a major role in adulthood, so it's no surprise that an
individual’s sense of pride and accomplishment in their work can lead to feelings of
productivity. This stage mirrors the industry versus inferiority stage of childhood.
 Making contributions: As the generativity stage draws to a close and people approach
the final stage of life, finding meaning plays an increasingly critical role. People reach a
point where they are beginning to reflect back on their lives and accomplishments,
making it important to feel that these achievements have left a lasting mark on the
world. Self-knowledge and self-understanding have an important place during the latter
portion of the generativity versus stagnation stage.

How to Improve Generativity

There are numerous things that people can do to improve their feelings of generativity versus
feelings of stagnation during middle adulthood. You can:

 Participate in your community: Research suggests that civic engagement helps foster

generativity.7 So, look for ways to get involved in your community. Help out an
organization, take part in community projects, or get involved in local activism. 
 Assume responsibilities: Since feeling productive in your work can help improve
generativity, look for new ways to take on new tasks and roles. Take on a big project at
work or explore ways to improve some aspect of your household.
 Learn new skills and share them with others: Take the time to learn a new skill, then
share this skill with others via a teaching or mentoring opportunity.
 Volunteer: Making a difference in the lives of others can build generativity as well. Your
child's school, your church, and community organizations are good places to look for
volunteer opportunities.

Consequences of Stagnation
When people fail to achieve generativity, they instead develop a sense of stagnation. Such
feelings can have an impact on how people manage the later years of their lives. Some of the
potential outcomes linked to stagnation include:

 Reduced cognitive function: A 75-year study found that less successful psychosocial
development at this stage is correlated with weaker cognitive function later in life,
potentially through increasing the risk of depression which leaves individuals more
vulnerable to cognitive decline.11
 Poorer health: Generativity has been linked to health outcomes in later life, so those
who are left with a sense of stagnation may face worse health as they age.12
  Lower quality relationships: Because the development of generativity is linked
to healthy relationships with others, stagnation may be the result of poor-quality social
connections. This can be a problem as people get older since social relationships play an
important part in healthy aging.13
 Decreased life satisfaction: People who don't achieve a sense of generativity are less
likely to feel satisfied with their lives.14 They may look at their lives with regret, a sense
of boredom, and overall dissatisfaction.

It is at this point in life that some people might experience what is often referred to as a "midlife
crisis." They may reflect back on their accomplishments, consider their future trajectory, and
regret missed opportunities such as going to school, pursuing a career, or having children.

It is important to note that it is the way that people interpret these regrets that influence their
well-being. Those who feel that they have made mistakes, wasted their time, and have no time to
make changes may be left feeling bitter. Others might use this crisis as an opportunity to make
adjustments in their lives that will lead to greater fulfillment.

Stage 7

Integrity versus despair is the eighth and final stage of Erik Erikson’s stage theory of psychosocial
development. This stage begins at approximately age 65 and ends at death. Psychologists, counselors, and
nurses today use the concepts of Erikson's stages when providing care for aging patients

Erikson’s theory suggests that people pass through eight distinctive developmental stages as they
grow and change through life. While many developmental theories tend to focus purely on
childhood events, Erikson was one of the few theorists to look at development across the entire
course of the lifespan. He was also one of the first to view the aging process itself as part of
human development.

At each stage of psychosocial development, people are faced with a crisis that acts as a turning
point in development. Successfully resolving the crisis leads to developing a psychological virtue
that contributes to overall psychological well-being.

At the integrity versus despair stage, the key conflict centers on questioning whether or not the individual
has led a meaningful, satisfying life.

What to Know

 Psychosocial Conflict: Integrity versus despair

 Major Question: "Did I live a meaningful life?"
 Basic Virtue: Wisdom
 Important Event(s): Reflecting back on life

The integrity versus despair stage begins as the aging adult begins to tackle the problem of his or her
mortality. The onset of this stage is often triggered by life events such as retirement, the loss of a spouse,
the loss of friends and acquaintances, facing a terminal illness, and other changes to major roles in life
Benefits of Integrity
There are a number of benefits to successfully achieving feelings of integrity at this stage of life.
These benefits include:

 Ego integrity: Successfully resolving the crisis at this stage leads to the development of
what Erikson referred to as ego integrity.
 Peace and fulfillment: People are able to look back at their life with a sense of
contentment and face the end of life with a sense of wisdom and no regrets.2
 Wisdom: Erikson defined this wisdom as an "informed and detached concern with life
itself even in the face of death itself."

Those who feel proud of their accomplishments will feel a sense of integrity. Successfully
completing this phase means looking back with few regrets and a general feeling of satisfaction.
These individuals will attain wisdom, even when confronting death.

Causes
There are a number of different factors that can influence the integrity versus despair stage of
psychosocial development. Some factors that influence the outcome of this stage include:

 Family: Having supportive relationships is an important aspect of the development of

integrity and wisdom.
 Work: People who feel a sense of pride in their work and accomplishments are more
likely to experience feelings of fulfillment at this stage of life. 
 Contributions: Those who reach this stage feeling that they have made valuable
contributions to the world are more likely to achieve a sense of integrity. This often
involves contributing to things that will outlast them through their children, friendships,
mentorships, work, or community involvement.

How to Improve Integrity

This stage of psychosocial development often depends on many of the events that occurred
during earlier periods of life. However, there are things that you can do to help develop a greater
sense of ego integrity as you age.4

 Start early: The things you do during middle age will play a role in your feelings about
life as you age. Focus on doing things that will support your emotional wellness as you
grow older, such as getting involved in your community and strengthening relationships
to ensure you have a strong social support network.
  Seek meaningful relationships: High-quality relationships with people you care about
and who care about you are important. Focus on those relationships and work on making
peace with relationships that may not be as strong.
 Reframe your thinking: Rather than ruminating over regrets or wishing you can change
the past, focus on reframing how you think about those events. For example, you might
focus on what you learned from those experiences rather than dwelling on what you wish
you could do differently.
 Practice gratitude: Focus on the positive aspects of your life rather than paying
excessive attention to the negative. 

Consequences of Despair
Despair can have serious consequences for a person's health and well-being as they face the end
of life. Research suggests that ego integrity and despair are important life-space development
indicators of well-being.3

Some of the consequences of despair include:

 Increased depressive symptoms: Feelings of despair at this stage of life can be marked
by feelings of low mood, hopelessness, sadness, and feelings of worthlessness, which are
also symptoms of depression.
 Increased regret: People who look back on their life with despair are more likely to
ruminate over mistakes and feel regret for the life they have lived. 
 Decreased life satisfaction: When people feel despair at this stage, they are also less
likely to feel satisfied with their lives going forward. This can have an effect on their
ability to cope with stress and decrease their resilience.3
Those who are unsuccessful during this phase will feel that their life has been wasted and will
experience many regrets. The individual will be left with feelings of bitterness and despair.

How to Decrease Despair

If you find yourself experiencing a sense of despair as you age, there are steps that you can take
to improve your well-being. Some of the steps you can take include:

 Reach out to others: Focus on building social support. Discussing your feelings with
friends and family can help, or look for new connections by participating in community
groups or organizations.
 Focus on the positive: Think about the memories and events that brought you feelings of
pride and happiness.
 Explore new experiences: Seek out activities that bring you pleasure and joy in the here-
and-now.
 Engage in spiritual practice: Find ways to explore your spirituality, which may help
bring feelings of peace and well-being.
 Get help: If you continue to struggle with feelings of despair, consider talking to your
doctor or mental health professional. You may be experiencing symptoms of a condition
such as depression or anxiety. Your doctor can recommend treatments that will help.