Erick Erickson

Psychosocial Theory
Agenda
Introduction
Primary goals
Areas of growth
Timeline
Summary

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 Introduction
Erikson maintained that personality develops in a predetermined order through eight stages of psychosocial development, from
infancy to adulthood. During each stage, the person experiences a psychosocial crisis that could positively or negatively affect
personality development.

For Erikson (1958, 1963), these crises are of a psychosocial nature because they involve the psychological needs of the
individual (i.e., psycho) conflicting with the needs of society (i.e., social).

According to the theory, successful completion of each stage results in a healthy personality and the acquisition of basic
virtues. Basic virtues are characteristic strengths that the ego can use to resolve subsequent crises.

Failure to complete a stage can result in a reduced ability to complete further stages and, therefore, a more unhealthy
personality and sense of self. These stages, however, can be resolved successfully at a later time.

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Primary goals
Annual revenue growth
 Areas of
growth

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• The first stage of Erikson's theory of psychosocial development

occurs between birth and 1 year of age and is the most
fundamental stage in life. Because an infant is utterly dependent,
developing trust is based on the dependability and quality of the
child's caregivers.
• At this point in development, the child is utterly dependent upon
adult caregivers for everything they need to survive including
Introduction food, love, warmth, safety, and nurturing. If a caregiver fails to
provide adequate care and love, the child will come to feel that
Trust v/s they cannot trust or depend upon the adults in their life.
Outcomes
Mistrust • If a child successfully develops trust, the child will feel safe and
secure in the world.2 Caregivers who are inconsistent,
emotionally unavailable, or rejecting contribute to feelings of
mistrust in the children under their care. Failure to develop trust
will result in fear and a belief that the world is inconsistent and
unpredictable.
• During the first stage of psychosocial development, children
develop a sense of trust when caregivers provide reliability, care,
and affection. A lack of this will lead to mistrust.

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Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt
• The second stage of Erikson's theory of psychosocial development takes place during
early childhood and is focused on children developing a greater sense of personal
control.
• The Role of Independence
• At this point in development, children are just starting to gain a little independence.
They are starting to perform basic actions on their own and making simple decisions
about what they prefer. By allowing kids to make choices and gain control, parents and
caregivers can help children develop a sense of autonomy.2

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Outcomes
• Children who struggle and who are shamed for their accidents may be
left without a sense of personal control. Success during this stage of
psychosocial development leads to feelings of autonomy; failure
results in feelings of shame and doubt.
Finding Balance
• 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. Erikson believed that achieving
a balance between autonomy and shame and doubt would lead
to will, which is the belief that children can act with intention,
within reason and limits.
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 Initiative vs. Guilt
• The third stage of psychosocial development takes place during the preschool years. At this
point in psychosocial development, children begin to assert their power and control over the
world through directing play and other social interactions.
• Children who are successful at this stage feel capable and able to lead others. Those who fail to
acquire these skills are left with a sense of guilt, self-doubt, and lack of initiative.
Outcomes
• The major theme of the third stage of psychosocial development is that children need to begin
asserting control and power over the environment. Success in this stage leads to a sense of
purpose. Children who try to exert too much power experience disapproval, resulting in a sense
of guilt.
• When an ideal balance of individual initiative and a willingness to work with others is achieved,
the ego quality known as purpose emerges.

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 Industry vs. Inferiority
• The fourth psychosocial stage takes place during the early school years from approximately
ages 5 to 11. Through social interactions, children begin to develop a sense of pride in their
accomplishments and abilities.
• Children need to cope with new social and academic demands. Success leads to a sense of
competence, while failure results in feelings of inferiority.
Outcomes
• Children who are encouraged and commended by parents and teachers develop a feeling of
competence and belief in their skills. Those who receive little or no encouragement from
parents, teachers, or peers will doubt their abilities to be successful.
• Successfully finding a balance at this stage of psychosocial development leads to the
strength known as competence, in which children develop a belief in their abilities to handle
the tasks set before them.

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Identity vs. Confusion
• The fifth psychosocial stage takes place during the often turbulent teenage years. This
stage plays an essential role in developing a sense of personal identity which will
continue to influence behavior and development for the rest of a person's life. Teens need
to develop a sense of self and personal identity. Success leads to an ability to stay true to
yourself, while failure leads to role confusion and a weak sense of self.
• During adolescence, children explore their independence and develop a sense of self.2
• Those who receive proper encouragement and reinforcement through personal
exploration will emerge from this stage with a strong sense of self and feelings of
independence and control. Those who remain unsure of their beliefs and desires will feel
insecure and confused about themselves and the future.

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Intimacy vs. Isolation
• Young adults need to form intimate, loving relationships with other people. Success
leads to strong relationships, while failure results in loneliness and isolation. This stage
covers the period of early adulthood when people are exploring personal relationships.2
• Erikson believed it was vital that people develop close, committed relationships with
other people. Those who are successful at this step will form relationships that are
enduring and secure.
• Remember that each step builds on skills learned in previous steps. Erikson believed that
a strong sense of personal identity was important for developing intimate relationships.
Studies have demonstrated that those with a poor sense of self tend to have less
committed relationships and are more likely to struggler with emotional
isolation, loneliness, and depression.
• Successful resolution of this stage results in the virtue known as love. It is marked by the
ability to form lasting, meaningful relationships with other people.
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Generativity vs. Stagnation
Adults need to create or nurture things that will
outlast them, often by having children or
creating a positive change that benefits other Care is the virtue achieved when this
people. Success leads to feelings of usefulness stage is handled successfully. Being
and accomplishment, while failure results in proud of your accomplishments,
shallow involvement in the world. watching your children grow into
adults, and developing a sense of
During adulthood, we continue to build our unity with your life partner are
lives, focusing on our career and family. Those important accomplishments of this
who are successful during this phase will feel stage.
that they are contributing to the world by being
active in their home and community.2 Those
who fail to attain this skill will feel unproductive
and uninvolved in the world.
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 Integrity vs. Despair
• The final psychosocial stage occurs during old age and is focused on reflecting back on life.2 At this point
in development, people look back on the events of their lives and determine if they are happy with the life
that they lived or if they regret the things they did or didn't do.
• Erikson's theory differed from many others because it addressed development throughout the entire
lifespan, including old age. Older adults need to look back on life and feel a sense of fulfillment. Success
at this stage leads to feelings of wisdom, while failure results in regret, bitterness, and despair.
• At this stage, people reflect back on the events of their lives and take stock. Those who look back on a life
they feel was well-lived will feel satisfied and ready to face the end of their lives with a sense of peace.
Those who look back and only feel regret will instead feel fearful that their lives will end without
accomplishing the things they feel they should have.
Outcomes
• Those who are unsuccessful during this stage will feel that their life has been wasted and may experience
many regrets. The person will be left with feelings of bitterness and despair.
• 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. 14
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