Erik Erikson Theory

Introduction

• Freud emphasized the importance of id whereas Erikson emphasized the role of ego.
• Freud considered the conflict between id, ego and superego, Erikson emphasized the conflict within
the ego.
• According to Erikson the development of ego is dependent on the resolution of social crisis.
• For Erikson, the ego is not just to serve the id but it has some independent adaptive and creative
values.
• The theory of psychosocial development has eight distinct stages.
• Erikson assumes that a crisis occurs at each stage of development. For Erikson (1963), these crises are
of a psychosocial nature because they involve psychological needs of the individual (i.e. psycho)
conflicting with the needs of society (i.e. social).
• According to Erikson, successful completion of each stage results in a healthy personality and the
acquisition of basic virtues.
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 Trust vs Mistrust (Birth – 1 Year)

• This stage is characterized by the feeling that people will take care of you vs. viewing the world as a
cold, fearsome place. During this stage of infancy, infants seek instant response and care when
needed, which results in a positive resolution of a crisis.
• Mothers create a sense of trust in their children by that kind of administration which in its quality
combines sensitive care of the baby's individual needs and a firm sense of personal trustworthiness
within the trusted framework of their culture's life style. This forms the basis in the child for a sense
of identity which will later combine a sense of being 'all right', of being oneself, and of becoming
what other people trust one will become.
• Somatic Conviction
• Ultimately, children become neurotic not from frustrations, but from the lack or loss of societal
meaning in these frustrations.

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 Autonomy vs Shame / Doubt (1 – 3 Year)

• This stage is characterized by independence through exploring and "testing" others vs. doubt that
you can succeed.
• One of the major event is toilet training.
• During this time, the parental behavior holds an important place.
• While the parental permission of reasonable free choice can foster the sense of autonomy in their
children otherwise; the force or too much strictness can promote shameness and doubt.
• For if denied the gradual and well-guided experience of the autonomy of free choice (or if, indeed,
weakened by an initial loss of trust) the child will turn against himself all his urge to discriminate
and to manipulate.
• He who is ashamed would like to force the world not to look at him, not to notice his exposure. He
would like to destroy the eyes of the world. Instead he must wish for his own invisibility.

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 Initiative vs Guilt (3 – 5 Year)

• This stage is characterized by the ability to take initiative and follow through vs. guilt when others
discourage this behavior.
• These preschool years are characterized by the development of capacity for initiatives, to set goals
and to pursue them.
• During this period, children develop the sense of right and wrong. Therefore, parental rules,
regulations and disciplines can either cultivate the confidence in their own initiation or foster the
feeling of guilt.

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 Industry vs Inferiority (6 – 11 Year)

• This stage is characterized by learning culture's skills and deriving feelings of competence from peers
vs. feeling inferior relative to peers.
• The stage of late childhood is marked by the participation in the wider world.
• At school, they learn to cooperate with their peer groups and develop the capacity to work. If they
are successful in their endeavors, it can boost the confidence in their own industry otherwise they
may develop the feeling of inferiority.
• Childs now learns to win recognition by producing things.
• He develops a sense of industry - i.e., he adjusts himself to the inorganic laws of the tool world.
• His ego boundaries include his tools and skills.
• Many a child's development is disrupted when family life has failed to prepare him for school life, or
when school life fails to sustain the promises of earlier stages.

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 Identity vs Role Confusion (12 – 20 Year)

• This stage is characterized by asking the question "Who am I?" by trying on roles within a secure
environment vs. lack of exploration and delayed sense of self.
• This is the transition from childhood to adulthood. This is the most important developmental stage.
Children are becoming more independent, and begin to look at the future in terms of careers,
relationships, families, housings, etc.
• Erikson suggested that important aspect are formed in this stage: the sexual and the occupational.
Sexual identity refers to the awareness and acceptance of one's biologically determined sexual
characteristics. Occupational identity is one's selection of academic discipline which ultimately leads
him/her towards career path.

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 Intimacy vs Isolation (21 – 35 Year)

• Commiting to close relationship, sharing vs keep total independence and isolation.

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 THANK YOU
Prajjwal Acharya

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