MAED-ECE Educ 504 report

2. ERIK ERIKSON’S
PSYCHOSOCIAL
DEVELOPMENT
THEORY
Donna Claire M. Bachinilla

3. ERIK
HOMBURGER
ERIKSON
• A German-American
developmental
psychologist and
psychoanalyst
• June 15, 1902 to May
12, 1994

4. PSYCHOSOCIAL DEVELOPMENT
THEORY
• Psychosocial development theory is based on eight
stages of development
• Erikson’s theory is based on the idea that development
through life is a series of stages which are each defined
by a crisis or challenge
• The early stages provide the foundations for later stages
so Erikson says that if a child does not resolve a crisis in
particular stage, they will have problems in later stages.
• For example, if an adolescent does not establish their
identity, they will have difficulty in relationships as an
adult.
• “The more successfully an individual resolves the crisis,
the healthier development will be.” (Santrock, 2008)

5. THE STAGES ARE AS
FOLLOWS:
 Stage 1 – Infancy (Birth – 1 ½ )
 Stage 2 – Early Childhood (1 ½ – 3)
 Stage 3 – Preschool Age (3 – 5)
 Stage 4 – Latency or School Age (5 – 12)
 Stage 5 – Adolescence (12 – 18)
 Stage 6 – Early Adulthood (18 – 40)
 Stage 7 – Middle Adulthood (40 – 65)
 Stage 8 – Maturity (65 – Death)

6. THE STAGES ARE AS
FOLLOWS:
 Stage 1 – Infancy (Birth – 1 ½ )
 Stage 2 – Early Childhood (1 ½ – 3)

7. TRUST
VS.
MISTRUST
STAGE 1: INFANCY
BIRTH TO 1 ½ YEARS OLD

8. "Can I trust the people around
me?"

9. During this stage, the infant is uncertain
about the world in which they live. To
resolve these feelings of uncertainty, the
infant looks towards their primary
caregiver.
When a baby cries, does his caregiver
attend to his needs? When he is
frightened, will someone comfort him?
When she is hungry, does she receive
nourishment from her caregivers?

10. If the care the infant receives is
consistent, predictable and reliable, they
will develop a sense of trust which
will carry with them to other
relationships, and they will be able to feel
secure even when threatened.

11. Success in this stage will lead to the
virtue of hope. By developing a sense
of trust, the infant can have hope that as
new crises arise, there is a real possibility
that other people will be there as a
source of support.
Failing to acquire the virtue of hope will
lead to the development of fear.

12. If the care has been harsh or inconsistent,
unpredictable and unreliable, then the
infant will develop a sense of
mistrust and will not have
confidence in the world around them or
in their abilities to influence events.
It may result in anxiety, heightened
insecurities, and an over feeling of
mistrust in the world around them.

13. TRUST
VS.
MISTRUST
B A S IC V I RTUE: H O PE
I M P ORTA NT E VENT: F E EDING

14. AUTONOMY
VS.
SHAME &
DOUBT
STAGE 2: EARLY CHILDHOOD
1 ½ TO 3 YEARS OLD

15. "Can I do things myself or am I reliant on
the help of others?"

16. During this stage, children begin to
assert their independence, by walking
away from their mother, picking which
toy to play with, putting on clothes and
shoes, and making choices about what
they like to wear, to eat, etc.

17. • Erikson states it is critical that parents allow their
children to explore the limits of their abilities
within an encouraging environment which is
tolerant of failure.
• For example, rather than put on a child's clothes
a supportive parent should have the patience to
allow the child to try until they succeed or ask for
assistance.
• So, the parents need to encourage the child to
become more independent while at the same
time protecting the child so that constant failure
is avoided.

18. A delicate balance is required from the
parent. They must try not to do
everything for the child, but if the child
fails at a particular task they must not
criticize the child for failures and
accidents (particularly when toilet
training).
The aim has to be “self control without a
loss of self-esteem” (Gross, 1992).
Success in this stage will lead to the

19. If children in this stage are encouraged
and supported in their increased
independence (autonomy),
they become more confident and secure
in their own ability to survive in the
world.

20. If children are criticized, overly
controlled, or not given the opportunity
to assert themselves, they begin to feel
inadequate in their ability to survive, and
may then become overly dependent
upon others, lack self-esteem, and
feel a sense of shame or
doubt in their abilities.

21. WHAT CAN PARENTS DO TO
ENCOURAGE SUCCESS?
• Provide opportunities for children to be independent.
Allow them to make food, clothing, and toy choices
and provide reassurance that they have done a good
job.
• Be supportive during potty training, but not punitive
for accidents.
• Offer safe outlets where children are able to play
independently with the support and guidance of a
trusted caregiver.

22. AUTONOMY
VS.
SHAME &
DOUBT
B A S I C V I R T U E : W I L L
I M P O R TA N T E V E N T: TO I L E T T R A I N I N G

23. THANK YOU FOR
LISTENING …