Introduction to Developmental Stages

2. ERIK ERIKSON
(1902–1994) was a stage
theorist who took Freud’s
controversial
psychosexual theory and
modified it into an eight-
stage psychosocial theory
of development.

3. During each of Erikson's eight
development stages, two
conflicting ideas must be
resolved successfully in order
for a person to become a
confident, contributing
member of society. Failure to
master these tasks leads to
feelings of inadequacy.

5. Erikson also expanded
upon Freud's stages by
discussing the cultural
implications of
development; certain
cultures may need to
resolve the stages in
different ways based
upon their cultural and
survival needs.

6. Erik Erikson was an ego
psychologist who developed one of
the most popular and influential
theories of development. While his
theory was impacted by
psychoanalyst Sigmund Freud's
work, Erikson's theory centered on
psychosocial development rather
than psychosexual development.