The psychosocial developmental theory of Erikson https://www.mrcpsych.uk

1. Erikson Psychosocial
Development
Psychology

2. Trust vs.
Mistrust; Birth-
1year
 Child sees the world as either safe or unsafe through
interaction with parents
 Emerges with a sense of trust/hope

3. Autonomy vs.
Shame and
Doubt; 2-3
years
 Child develops certain abilities. If parents encourage it
they will have the will to make decisions
 Emerges with the ability to do for oneself and make
decisions throughout life

4. Initiative vs.
Guilt; 4-5 years
 Child initiates play. Parents should respond with
encouragement.
 Emerges with a sense of purpose

5. Industry vs.
Inferiority; 6-
11 years
 Child engages in work related activities.
 If parents, coaches, and teachers respond positively then
the child emerges with a sense of competence

6. Identity vs.
Identity Role
Confusion
 Erikson coined the term “identity crisis” for this phase.
Teen seeks to determine who he/she is, what is important,
etc.
 12-18 years
 Emerge with a sense of self and fidelity to this identity

7. Intimacy vs.
Isolation
 Young adults blend identity with another human being
(emotional intimacy, not necessarily sexual)
 19-35 years
 If developed then the adult emerges with love in its
strongest form

8. Generativity vs.
Stagnation
 Middle Age share knowledge and know how with the
younger generation.
 35-55 years
 If developed, then will develop care and concern about the
welfare and growth of others

9. Integrity vs.
Despair; 56+
years
 Review of life
 If review of life is satisfying and without regret, then the
individual develop wisdom

10. Integrity vs.
Despair
 I now possess the awesome wisdom of Gump

11. Hope and
Faith vs.
despair
 This stage was added by Erikson’s wife, she published an
update of The Life Cycle Completed. She published this
while she was in her 90s.
 Revised view of wisdom.
 Very old age
 Develop a new sense of wisdom and transcendence of
time.

12. Miscellaneous
 1st four stages are deterministic
 Last four stages the individual has control
 Compared to Freud, Erikson is much more optimistic

13. Miscellaneous
 If conflicts resolved negatively a person can become dystonic (emotionally and
psychologically feels awful)
 If conflicts resolved positively a person can become syntonic (feeling good
emotionally and psychologically)

14. Criticism
All the subjects of his psychobiography's and most of
his subjects were males.
Since the early 70s, identity development in women
has been studied closely using Erikson’s model.
There are parallels.