Erikson’s

Psychosocial Theory
 Objectives
 Discuss the stage of Erikson’s
Psychosocial Theory

 Explain the salient features of Erikson’s

Psychosocial Theory

 Relate Erikson’s Psychosocial Theory

to human development stage
 Introduction
 Erikson’s work described the development
of human beings, including all the human
lifespan-from infancy to adulthood. He
stressed the importance of interpersonal,
social, and cultural influences in the
development of the people.
 Successful development of the personality
depends on meeting and overcoming these
task or crises (Fleming, 2004).
 Introduction (cont…)
 Epigenetic principles to refer to the
different stages because he believed that
human beings develop through the
predetermined unfolding of personalities in
eight successive psychosocial stages,
wherein the progress through each stage is
in part determined by the success or lack of
it in the previous stages.
Two opposing emotional
forces (contrary
dispositions)
 Syntonic, the first-listed positive
disposition in each crisis.

 Dystonic, the second-listed negative

disposition.
 Malignancy
 if there is too little of the positive
and too much of the negative
aspect.

 Maladaptation
 is also present if there is too much
of the positive and too little of the
negative (Sokol, 2009)
The Psychosocial Stages
 Stages of psychosocial
development.
 Stage One: Trust vs Mistrust
 Starting from infancy to about 18
months, this first stage develops the
infants to trust others.
 Letting them feel that they are cared of
is a paramount concern.
 Stages of psychosocial
development.
 Stage One: Trust vs Mistrust
 They should view the world as non-
threatening.
 When caregivers provide reliability,
care, and protection, children will
develop a sense of trust.
 A lack of this will lead to mistrust.
 Stages of psychosocial
development.
 Stage Two: Autonomy vs Shame and Doubt
 The prime ways to take good care of
themselves should be taught to the
children from 2 to 3 years old.
 Feeding themselves, toilet training,
and changing their clothes.
 Stages of psychosocial
development.
 Stage Two: Autonomy vs Shame and Doubt
 This stage implies that parents should
ensure that their children develop a
sense of personal control over personal
skills.
 Eventually, success leads to feeling of
autonomy; failure results in the
feelings of shame and doubt.
 Stages of psychosocial
development.
 Stage Three: Initiative vs Guilt
 Children, at this stage, are font of doing
things on their own.
 Exploration and play are crucial activities
for them to learn new ideas to apply in
their lives.
 Children need to assert control and
power over their environment.
 Stages of psychosocial
development.
 Stage Three: Initiative vs Guilt
 Success in this state results to a sense
purpose.
 If they exert too much effort and become too
authoritative, they will feel a sense of guilt.
 Preschool teachers, therefore, should ensure
that children are given sufficient
opportunities to select choices and act
independently.
 Stages of psychosocial
development.
 Stage Four: Industry vs Inferiority
 At this stage, levels of maturity and self-
awareness are increased.
 Children always ask themselves how
they can be good.
 They are ensured to cope with the new
social and academic demands.
 Stages of psychosocial
development.
 Stage Four: Industry vs Inferiority
 Success at this stage results to a sense of
competence, whereas failure leads to
feeling of inferiority.
 Teachers need to ensure that, at this
stage, children feel successful in their
own learning.
 Stages of psychosocial
development.
 Stage Five: Identity vs Role Confusion
 Social relationships play a vital role at
this stage, when their sexual identity is
developed.
 Discovery of oneself comes with the
thought of where one should fit in a
social circle.
 Stages of psychosocial
development.
 Stage Five: Identity vs Role Confusion
 At this stage, too, adolescents develop
their framework of morality.
 Identity crisis, as a result of the transition
from childhood to adulthood, may also
be experienced. It is a result of high
expectations from others.
 Stages of psychosocial
development.
 Stage Five: Identity vs Role Confusion
 Failure to balance at this stage may
result to experiencing upheaval and role
confusion.
 Teachers should ensure that teens have
the opportunities to develop a sense of
self and personal identity through
collaborative tasks and activities.
 Stages of psychosocial
development.
 Stage Six: Intimacy vs Isolation
 Finding the right partner confronts the
young adults at this stage.
 Failure to do so results to fear of
spending the rest of their lives alone or
isolated.
 Stages of psychosocial
development.
 Stage Seven: Generativity vs Stagnation
 Adults, at his stage, are mostly attached
to their careers and professional
journeys.
 They find life’s meaning by contributing
something to the community, taking
responsibilities and control, and leaving
an indelible legacy.
 Stages of psychosocial
development.
 Stage Seven: Generativity vs Stagnation
 Success leads to feelings of usefulness or
Generativity, whereas failure at attain so
cause inactivity or meaninglessness.
 Stages of psychosocial
development.
 Stage Eight: Ego Integrity vs Despair
 Harking back the days with sense of
fulfillment, adults can feel a sense of
wisdom and integrity.
 Failure results in regret, bitterness, and
despair.