This document provides an overview of Erik Erikson's theory of psychosocial development. It discusses the eight stages of development from infancy through adulthood. Each stage involves a psychosocial conflict that must be resolved. Successful resolution of each prior stage is important for healthy development. The stages discussed include trust vs mistrust in infancy, autonomy vs shame and doubt in early childhood, initiative vs guilt in middle childhood, industry vs inferiority in middle childhood, identity vs role confusion in adolescence, intimacy vs isolation in early adulthood, generativity vs stagnation in mature adulthood, and integrity vs despair in old age.

1. PSYCHO-SOCIAL
DEVELOPMENT THEORY
V. BOOMINATHAN
MSC (N) 1ST YEAR
MTPG & RIHS

2. INTRODUCTION
Erik Erikson was a 20th century
psychologist who developed the
theory of Psychosocial
development and the concept of
identity crisis(1959). Erikson
maintained that personality
develops in a predetermined order
through eight stages of
psychosocial development, from
infancy to adulthood.

3. CONT/-
While his theory was impacted by
psychoanalyst Sigmund Freud's work,
Erikson's theory centered on psychosocial
development rather than psychosexual
development. The stages that make up his
theory are as follows:

4. CONT/-
For Erikson (1959, 1963), these crises are
of a psychosocial nature because they
involve psychological needs of the
individual (i.e., psycho) conflicting with the
needs of society (i.e., social).

5. CONT/-
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 which the ego can
use to resolve subsequent crises

6. CONT/-
Failure to successfully 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.

7. STAGESOFPSYCHO-SOCIAL
DEVELOPMENT

8. This first stage of psychosocial
development consists of:
Psychosocial Conflict: Trust
versus mistrust
Major Question: "Can I trust
the people around me?"
Basic Virtue: Hope
Important Event(s): Feeding
1. TRUST (VS) MISTRUST
STAGE – 1 (INFANCY)

9. CONT/-
● .

10. CONT/-
● It is in this initial stage of development that
children learn whether or not they can trust the
world. As you might deduce, it is the care they
receive from their parents and other adults that is
critical to forming this trust.
● Because an infant is entirely dependent upon his
or her caregivers, the quality of care that the child
receives plays an important role in the shaping of
the child’s personality.

11. WHAT SHOULD I DO TO DEVELOP TRUST
children learn whether or not
they can trust the people
around them.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?
crying carries an important message.
When a baby cries, there is some
need that should be met with a
response from caregivers, whether it
involves providing food, safety, a
fresh diaper, or a comforting cuddle.
By responding quickly and
appropriately to an infant's cries, a
foundation of trust is established.

12. CONT/-
TRUST MISTRUST
1.Safe and secure
feeling
2. Hope will be
present
1. Anxiety
2. Insecurity

13. This Second stage of
psychosocial development
consists of:
Psychosocial Conflict: Autonomy
versus shame and doubt
Major Question: "Can I do things
myself or am I reliant on the help
of others?"
Basic Virtue: Will
Important Event(s): Toilet training
GOALS
2. Autonomy vs
Shame and doubt=
STAGE 2 – EARLY CHILDHOOD

14. CONT/-
● It is at this point in development that young children
begin to express a greater need for independence and
control over themselves and the world around them.
● it is important for young children to begin developing
a sense of personal independence and control. As
they learn to do things for themselves, they establish a
sense of control over themselves as well as some
basic confidence in their own abilities.

16. WHAT SHOULD A PARENT DO
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.

17. CONT/-
Autonomy Shame and doubt
1.Self control
2. Confident
1. Lack self-esteem
2. Dependant

18. This Third stage of psychosocial
development consists of:
Psychosocial Conflict: Initiative
versus Guilt
Major Question: “Am I good or
bad?”
Basic Virtue: Purpose
Important Event(s): Exploration,
Play
GOALS
2. Initiative vs Guilt
STAGE 3 – MIDDLE CHILDHOOD

19. CONT/-
It is as children enter the preschool years that
they begin the third stage of psychosocial
development centered on initiative versus guilt. If
they have successfully completed the earlier two
stages, kids now have a sense that the world
is trustworthy and that they are able to act
independently.

20. CONT/-
It is important for caregivers to
encourage exploration and to
help children make
appropriate choices.
Caregivers who are
discouraging or dismissive may
cause children to feel ashamed
of themselves and to become
overly dependent upon the
help of others.
Parents and other adults might
want to guide children toward
certain friends, activities, or
choices, but children might
resist and insist on making
their own choices. While this
might lead to some conflicts
with parental wishes at times, it
is important to give kids a
chance to make such choices.

21. CONT/-
Initiative Guilt
1. Sense of purpose
2. Confidence
1. Sense of guilt

22. This Fourth stage of
psychosocial development
consists of:
Psychosocial Conflict: Industry
vs. Inferiority
Major Question: "How can I be
good?"
Basic Virtue: Competence
Important Event(s): School
GOALS
4. Idustry vs
Inferiority
STAGE 4 – MIDDLE CHILDHOOD

24. CONT/-
● School and social interaction play an important
role during this time of a child’s life.
● A child's social world expands considerably as
they enter school and gain new friendships with
peers. Through social interactions, children begin
to develop a sense of pride in their
accomplishments and abilities.

25. CONT/-
● Friends and classmates play a role in how children
progress through the industry versus inferiority
stage. Through proficiency at play and
schoolwork, children are able to develop a sense
of competence and pride in their abilities. By
feeling competent and capable, children are able
to also form a strong self-concept.

26. How Can Parents and Teachers Foster Success During the Industry
vs. Inferiority Stage?
● At this stage, it is important for both parents and
teachers to offer support and encouragement.
● Unconditional love and support from adults can
help all children through this stage, but particularly
those who may struggle with feelings of inferiority.

27. “Parents can help kids develop a
sense of realistic competence by
avoiding excessive praising and
rewards, encouraging efforts
rather than outcome, and helping
kids develop a growth mindset”.

28. CONT/-
Industry Inferiority
1. Developing
intellectual , physical
social abilities
2. Competition
1. Doubting their
abilities

29. This Fifth stage of
psychosocial development
consists of:
Psychosocial Conflict: Identity
Versus Confusion
Major Question: "Who am I?"
Basic Virtue: Fidelity
Important Event(s): Social
Relationships
GOALS
5. Identity vs Role
confusion
STAGE 5 – ADOLESCENCE

31. CONT/-
● Teen behavior often seems unpredictable and
impulsive, but all of this is part of the process of
finding a sense of personal identity. Parents and
family members continue to exert an influence on how
teens feel about themselves, but outside forces also
become particularly important during this time.
Friends, social groups, schoolmates, societal trends,
and even popular culture all play a role in shaping and
forming an identity

32. CONT/-
● Those who receive proper encouragement and
reinforcement through personal exploration will
emerge from this stage with a strong sense of self
and a feeling of independence and control.
● Those who are successful develop fidelity, a
psychological virtue characterized by the ability to
relate to others and form genuine relationships

33. CONT/-
During the identity versus confusion stage, the
conflict is centered on developing a personal
identity. Successfully completing this stage
leads to a strong sense of self that will remain
throughout life.

34. CONT/-
Identity Role confusion
1. Awareness of self
as unique individual
1. Develops
negative identity

35. This Sixth stage of
psychosocial development
consists of:
Psychosocial Conflict: Intimacy
versus isolation
Major Question: "Will I be loved
or will I be alone?"
Basic Virtue: Love
Important Event(s): Romantic
relationships
GOALS
6. Intimacy vs
Isolation
STAGE 6 – EARLY ADULTHOOD

37. CONT/-
● Erikson believed it was vital that people develop close,
committed relationships with other people. These
emotionally intimate relationships as people enter
adulthood play the critical role in the intimacy versus
isolation stage. Such relationships are often romantic
in nature, but Erikson believed that close friendships
were also important. Erikson described intimate
relationships as those characterized by closeness,
honesty, and love

38. Important Tasks at This Stage
Sharing part of the self with others while still
maintaining a strong sense of self-identity.
Being intimate. This is more than just
engaging in sex; it means forging emotional
intimacy and closeness. Intimacy does not
necessarily have to be with a sexual partner.
People can also gain intimacy from friends
and loved ones.
Learning to be open and sharing with others is an
important part of the intimacy versus isolation
stage.

39. CONT/-
Making commitments to others. Part of being able
to form strong relationships involves being able to
commit to others for the long-term.
Caring about the needs of others. Relationships
are reciprocal. Getting love is important at this
stage, but so is giving it.

40. CONT/-
Intimacy Isolation
1. Strong and deep
romantic
relationships
2. Close relationships
with friends and
family
1. Poor romantic
relationships
2. No deep intimacy
3. Loneliness and
isolation

41. This Seventh stage of
psychosocial development
consists of:
Psychosocial Conflict: Generativity
Versus Stagnation
Major Question: "How can I
contribute to the world?"
Basic Virtue: Care
Important Event(s): Parenthood
and Work
GOALS
6. Generativity vs
Stagnation
STAGE 7 – MATURE ADULTHOOD

43. CONT/-
● Generativity refers to "making your mark" on the
world by caring for others as well as creating and
accomplishing things that make the world a better
place.
● Stagnation refers to the failure to find a way to
contribute. These individuals may feel
disconnected or uninvolved with their community
and with society as a whole

44. CONT/-
● Some key characteristics of Generativity include
making commitments to other people, developing
relationships with family, mentoring others and
contributing to the next generation. As you might
imagine, these sorts of things are frequently
realized through having and raising children.

45. CONT/-
Some characteristics of stagnation
include being self-centered, failing to get
involved with others, not taking an interest in
productivity, no efforts to improve the self
and placing one's concerns over above all
else.

46. CONT/-
One thing to note about this stage is that life events
tend to be less age-specific than they are during
early-stage and late-stage life. The major events
that contribute to this stage such as marriage, work,
and child-rearing can occur at any point during the
rather broad span of middle-adulthood.

47. CONT/-
Generativity Stagnation
1. Care, concern for
family and society
1. Disconnected from
society
2. Feel unproductive

48. This is the final stage of
psychosocial development
consists of:
Psychosocial Conflict: Integrity
versus despair
Major Question: "Did I live a
meaningful life?"
Basic Virtue: Wisdom
Important Event(s): Reflecting
back on life
GOALS
6. Ego integrity vs
Despair
STAGE 8 – OLD AGE

50. CONT/-
● The integrity versus despair stage begins as the
aging adult begins to tackle the problem of his or
her mortality. The onset of this stage is often
triggered by life events such as retirement, the
loss of a spouse, the loss of friends and
acquaintances, facing a terminal illness, and other
changes to major roles in life

51. CONT/-
● 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.
● Those who are unsuccessful during this phase will feel that
their life has been wasted and will experience many
regrets. The individual will be left with feelings of bitterness
and despair.

52. CONT/-
During the integrity versus despair stage,
people reflect back on the life they have lived
and come away with either a sense of
fulfillment from a life well lived or a sense of
regret and despair over a life misspent.

53. CONT/-
Ego Integrity Despair
1. Satisfaction
2. Fulfillment of life
1. Hopelessness
2. Depression

54. SUMMARIZING MY TOPIC

55. ANY ?

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