Erik Erikson was a German-American developmental psychologist and psychoanalyst best known for his theory on psychosocial development of human beings. The theory describes 8 stages of development from infancy to late adulthood, where each stage presents a developmental crisis which can result in a positive or negative outcome. Some of the stages and psychosocial crises include trust vs mistrust in infancy, autonomy vs shame and doubt in early childhood, and identity vs role confusion in adolescence. While influential, Erikson's theory has also received some criticism around its applicability across gender and emphasis on childhood development over adulthood.

1. Erik Erikson Amber Steele Brianne Boesiger Theory of Psychosocial Development

2. Erik Erikson 1902 - 1994

3. Timeline- The Early Years 1902- Born in Frankfurt, Germany 1911- Is adopted by step-father Theodor Homburger 1919- Begins travels throughout Europe

4. Timeline- Young Adulthood 1927- Becomes teacher at Hietzing School in Vienna 1928- Studies child psychology with Anna Freud 1930- Marries Joan Serson, a dance teacher at the school

5. Timeline- Career 1933- Emigrates to US 1939- Becomes US citizen 1960- Begins teaching at Harvard

6. Erikson’s Psychosocial Theory 8 Stages of man Each stage includes: Significant relationship Psychosocial crisis Potential positive or negative outcome Disagreement on ages of stages, even among contemporaries

7. The Eight Stages Stage 1- Infancy 0-1½ years Maternal persons Trust vs. Mistrust + Hope, drive - Sensory distortion, withdrawal Stage 2- Early Childhood - 1- 3 years - Parental persons - Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt + Will power, self control - Impulsivity, compulsivity

8. The Eight Stages Stage 3- Pre-school 3-6 years Family Initiative vs. Guilt + Purpose, direction Ruthless, inhibition Stage 4- School child 6-12 years Neighborhood, school, family Industry vs. inferiority + Competence, initiation Narrow character, low motivation

9. The Eight Stages Stage 5- Adolescent 12-20 years Peer group Identity vs. role confusion + Self certainty, fidelity Withdrawal, fanaticism Experimentation of different roles to find one most suitable or comfortable Assimilating morals learned as a child to ethnics needed as adults (ChildStudy.net) “ Who am I?”

10. The Eight Stages Stage 6- Young adulthood Friends, co-workers, sexual partners Intimacy vs. isolation Stage 7- Middle adulthood Family (partner, children), community Generosity vs. self absorption Stage 8- Late adulthood Society, the world community Integrity vs. despair

11. Application of Erikson’s Theory Stage 4 (school age) Hands on projects Increasing influence Encourage sense of accomplishment and self worth Finding the natural talents of individuals Stressing the importance of individual success

12. Application of Erikson’s Theory Stage 5 (adolescence) Seek leadership/ inspiration Understanding of distractions Not belittling adolescence ideals Experimentation requires acceptance Sense of sameness Encouragement of natural individual talents

13. Critics Doubted his academic integrity Questioned the stage theory as opposed to continuous development Said that his theory is more applicable to boys than to girls Complain that more attention is paid to infancy and childhood than to adult life

14. Questions What about those adults who rediscover themselves and develop a different understanding of their lives due to life's changes and experiences? Is it possible for an individual to change throughout life? How can his theory be applicable to the changing environment of today?

15. References http:// www.alanchapman.com/erik_erikson_psychosocial_theory.htm http:// www.childdevelopmentinfo.com/development/erickson.shtml http://childstudy.net/erikson.php http://webspace.ship.edu/cgboer/erikson.html http://www.nndb.com/people/151/000097857/ http://www.nytimes.com/books/99/08/22/specials/erikson-obit.html http://www.phillwebb.net/History/TwentiethCentury/Continental/Psychoanalysis/Erikson/Erickson.htm http://www.nytimes.com/books/99/08/22/specials/erikson.html http ://education.stateuniversity.com/pages/1960/Erikson-Erik-1902-1994.html Educational Psychology: Theory and Practice