Erik Erikson is one of the profound psychologists who developed a popular and influential psychosocial developmental theory. His theory was centered on the psychosocial advancement than the psychosexual developments. The psychosocial development theory consisted of various stages from stage one to stage eight with each step having multiple features. The various stages of the approach were used in developing personality during the development stage and indicated how social experience impacted one’s lifespan. The theory explains how relationships and social interactions played a significant role in the growth and development of humans.
Stage 1: Trust vs. Mistrust
This stage occurs between birth and the age of one year and is the most crucial stage in one’s life. During this stage, the infant is entirely dependent, and the development of trust is wholly based on the quality and dependability of the kid’s caregivers. At this stage, the kid depends on adult caregivers for all that he needs including clothing, food, warmth, love, nurturing and safety. In cases where the caregiver does not offer adequate love and care, the kid will come to develop mistrust on the adult and feel he cannot depend on them in his entire life. When the kid successfully develops trust at this stage, he feels secure and safe in the world. Caregivers who are rejecting, inconsistent and emotionally unavailable contribute to mistrust feelings of kids under their care. Lack of trust leads to fear and belief in the world being unpredictable and inconsistent. A child cannot develop 100% trust on the caregivers; hence Erikson stated that successful development should involve striking a balance between trust and mistrust of children (Syed & McLean, 2017). Availability of these outstanding balance makes kids develop hope which is described as openness to world experience which is tempered by fear of danger might occur.
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Stage 2: Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt
This stage occurs during the early childhood between 2 to 3 years and focuses on kids developing a great sense of personal control. At this stage, kids begin to gain a little independence as they start to do first actions on their own and making simple decisions on their preferences. When children are allowed to make decisions and gain control, caregivers and parents help kids develop autonomy sense. Erikson believed that toilet training is an essential part of this stage and indicated children are learning to control their bodily functions results to sense of control and feeling of independence. Other critical events on this stage include toy preferences, acquiring power on food choices and selection of clothing. Kids who complete this stage completely feel confident and secure while children who do not complete the stage successfully develop sense self-doubt and inadequacy. Erikson stated that striking a balance between autonomy and shame and doubt result to will, which refers to the belief that kids act with intentions based on limits and reasons.
Stage 3: Initiative vs. Guilt
This stage takes place during the preschool years at the age of 3 to 5 years. A sense of exploration characterizes this step as children start exercising control and power over the environment they interact. During this stage of psychosocial development, kids begin asserting their power and control over the world directing various social interactions and play. Kids who succeed in this psychosocial development stage feel the capability and develop the ability to lead others. Children who fail to gain the necessary skills during this stage create a sense of self-doubt, lack of initiative and guilt. Erikson believes that during this stage of psychosocial development, a balance of personal ambition and willingness to interact and work with others is acquired and ego quality called purpose is achieved.
Stage 4: Industry vs. Inferiority
This psychosocial development stage occurs during the early school years at the age of 5 to 11 years. Due to social interactions during this stage, kids start developing a sense of pride in their abilities and accomplishments. Kids who are commended and encouraged by their teachers and parents as well as caregivers acquire a feeling of competence and have a strong belief in their abilities. Children who earn little or no commendations and encouragement from their parents, peers, and teachers will have doubts about their skills and competencies to be successful. Erikson suggests that seeking a balance at this psychosocial developmental stage results in the development of strength of competence in which kids develop a strong belief in their abilities to perform any duties assigned to them.
Stage 5: Identity vs. Inferiority
This stage occurs during the turbulent teenage years at the age of 12-18 years at the adolescence stage. This stage is crucial as it helps children develop a sense of personal identity which continues to affect development and behavior for the rest on an individual’s life with the teens exploring their independence and acquire self-sense. Children who earn reinforcement and encouragement through individual exploration emerge with a strong self-sense and feeling of control and autonomy while those who are unsure of their desires and beliefs develop uneasy feeling and are confused about their lives and future. Psychologists define identity as the values, beliefs, and ideals which help in shaping and guiding an individual’s behavior (Zhang, 2015). Teens who complete this stage successfully develop fidelity which is described as the ability to live according to the standards and expectations of the society. Erikson emphasized on the stage of developing ego identity which refers to the conscious self-sense which is generated through social interactions and becomes the key focus during identity vs. confusion stage. Ego identity in people keeps changing because of new information and experiences people acquire during their daily interactions.
Stage 6: Intimacy vs. Isolation
This stage occurs during the period of early adulthood when individuals are exploring their relationships at the age of 19-40 years. Erikson indicated that it is essential for people to develop committed and close relationships with others and the successful individuals will have enduring and secure connections. Erikson suggests that personal identity sense is vital to forming intimate relationships. According to Beyers & Seiffge-Krenke (2010), individuals with poor self-sense have less committed relationships and are likely to experience emotional depression, isolation, and loneliness. The successful resolution required in this stage is a virtue of love which is marked by the ability to develop meaningful and lasting relationships with other people.
Stage 7: Generativity vs. Stagnation
This stage occurs between the age of 40-65 years where adults continue to establish their lives emphasizing on their career and families and is characterized by parenthood and work. Individuals who are successful during this psychosocial development stage have a feeling that they are making contributions to the development of the world through being active in the community, their families and homes. Individuals who fail to achieve this skill feel uninvolved and unproductive in the world. The critical virtue produced during this stage is care as people become proud of their accomplishments such as maintaining a unity sense with your partner and watching children grow to become adults.
Stage 8: Integrity vs. Despair
It is the final stage of psychosocial development which occurs during old age at the age of 65 years to death and individuals emphasize on reflecting on their past life. At this stage, individuals reflect on the past events of their lives and determine whether they lived a happy life or regret the life they lived. Individuals who are not successful during this stage feel that their lives were wasted and suffer from regrets and will develop feelings of despair and bitterness. People who are proud of their accomplishments create a sense of integrity. Successful completion of this stage indicates reflecting on one's life with few or without regrets and develop a general satisfaction feeling. These successful people acquire wisdom even when they are approaching death.
References
Beyers, W., & Seiffge-Krenke, I. (2010). Does identity precede intimacy? Testing Erikson’s theory on romantic development in emerging adults of the 21st century. Journal of Adolescent Research, 25(3), 387-415.
Syed, M., & McLean, K. C. (2017). Erikson’s theory of psychosocial development. Encyclopedia of intellectual and developmental disorders.
Zhang, L. F. (2015). Erikson’s theory of psychosocial development. International Encyclopedia of the Social & Behavioral Sciences (2nd ed.).
