MODULE

7
ERIKSON’S PSYCHO-
SOCIAL THEORY OF
DEVELOPMENT
 Erikson’s stages of psychosocial
development is a very relevant,
highly regarded and meaningful
theory. Life is a continuous
INTRODUCTION process involving learning and
trials which help us to grow.
Erikson’s enlightening theory
guides us and helps to tell us why.
The Eight
Stages of
Psychosocial
Development
What are those?
 Erickson is convinced
that personality develops
in a series of stages.

ERICKSON’S EIGHT STAGES OF

PSYCHOSOCIAL DEVELOPMENT
Focus on the resolution of a
specific crisis that one encounters
in each stage of its development as
a person.
 Stage One

INFANCY ( from birth ~ 12 months of age ):

Trust
vs. Mistrust
Most fundamental stage in life

The crisis is trust vs. mistrust. The

goal is to develop trust without completely
eliminating the capacity for mistrust. If
parents are unreliable and inadequate, if
they reject the infant. He or she will be
apprehensive and suspicious around people.
Stage Two
EARLY CHILDHOOD (18 months-3 or 4 years old):

Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt

It is to achieve a degree of autonomy

while minimizing Shame and doubt.
The parent should not discourage the
child but mother should they push a
balance as requires.
 
Stage three
Preschool (age 3~6 years)

Initiative vs. guilt

Psychosocial crisis is the early childhood stage from 3 years old to 6
years old the task is to learn initiative without too much guilt.
Maladaptation / malignancy Too much initiative and too little guilt
means a maladaptive tendency Erickson calls ruthlessness, The
malignancy of too much guilt which Erikson calls inhibition.

Virtue A good balance leads to the psychosocial

strength of purpose.
Stage Four
SCHOOL –AGE (ages 6~12 years)
Industry vs. Inferiority
*Psychosocial Crisis The fourth step is about 6-12,
for children, the task is to develop a capasity for
industry while avoiding an excessive sense of
inferiority.
*Maladaptation/Malignancy Too much industry leads to
the maladaptive tendency called narrow virtuosity. And
much more common is the malignancy called Inertia.
*Virtue Then we have virtue called compentency.
Stage Five
ADOLESCENCE (ages 12~18)
Identity vs. Role Confusion
•Psychosocial Crisis- Regarding stage 5 is the young people who
reach puberty and end up around the age of 18, The task during
adolescence is to achieve ego identity and avoid role confusion.

•Maladaption/Malignancy- is that there are children who prefer

their membership in the world of adults, some young people
prefer groups that go against the norms. as well as if you
successfully negotiate this stage you will have the virtue Erikson
called FEDILITY- means Loyalty.

•Virtue- The good thing is the youth grow up with respect for the
elders, and build the right balance of the inferiority of this
industry.
Stage Six
YOUNG ADULTHOOD (20~early 40s)
Intimacy vs. Isolation

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.
Stage Seven
MIDDLE ADULTHOOD
(40s~mid60s)

Generativity vs. Stagnation

This stage takes place during middle
adulthood, between the approximate ages
of 40 and 65. Psychosocial development
according to Erik Erikson. In this stage,
adults strive to create or nurture things,
often through parenting, contributing to
the community, or some other positive
change.
Stage Eight
MATURITY(From mid~60s to end of life)
Ego Integrity vs. Despair
It is referred to delicately as late adulthood or
maturity, or less delicately as old age.

It is to develop ego integrity with a minimal amount

of despair.

In response to this despair, some older people

become preoccupied with the past.