Erik Erikson: The Life-Span Approach

Psychosocial Stages of Personality Development8 successive stages over the lifespanAddresses bio, social, situational, personal influencesCrisis: must adaptively or maladaptively cope with task in each developmental stageRespond adaptively: acquire strengths needed for next developmental stageRespond maladaptively: less likely to be able to adapt to later problemsBasic strengths: Motivating characteristics and beliefs that derive from successful resolution of crisis in each stage

Stage 1: Basic Trust vs. MistrustBirth to age 1Totally dependent on othersCaregiver meets needs: child develops trustCaregiver does not meet needs: child develops mistrustBasic strength: HopeBelief our desires will be satisfiedFeeling of confidence

Stage 2: Autonomy vs. Shame and DoubtAges 1-3Child able to exercise some degree of choiceChilds independence is thwarted: child develops feelings of self-doubt, shame in dealing with othersBasic Strength: WillDetermination to exercise freedom of choice in face of societys demands

Stage 3: Initiative vs. GuiltAges 3-5Child expresses desire to take initiative in activitiesParents punish child for initiative: child develops feelings of guilt that will affect self-directed activity throughout lifeBasic strength: PurposeCourage to envision and pursue goals

Stage 4: Industriousness vs. InferiorityAges 6-11Child develops cognitive abilities to enable in task completion (school work, play)Parents/teachers do not support childs efforts: child develops feelings of inferiority and inadequacyBasci strength: CompetenceExertion of skill and intelligence in pursuing and completing tasks

Stages 1-4Largely determined by others (parents, teachers)Stages 5-8Individual has more control over environmentIndividual responsibility for crisis resolution in each stage

Stage 5: Identity vs. Role ConfusionAges 12-18Form ego identity: self-imageStrong sense of identity: face adulthood with certainty and confidenceIdentity crisis: confusion of ego identityBasic strength: FidelityEmerges from cohesive ego identitySincerity, genuineness, sense of duty in relationships with others

Stage 6: Intimacy vs. IsolationAges 18-35 (approximately)Undertake productive work and establish intimate relationshipsInability to establish intimacy leads to social isolationBasic strength: LoveMutual devotion in a shared identityFusing of oneself with another person

Stage 7: Generativity vs. StagnationAges 35-55 (approximately)Generativity: Active involvement in teaching/guiding the next generationStagnation involves not seeking outlets for generativityBasic strength: CareBroad concern for othersNeed to teach others

Stage 8: Ego Integrity vs. DespairAges 55+Evaluation of entire lifeIntegrity: Look back with satisfactionDespair: Review with anger, frustrationBasic strength: WisdomDetached concern with the whole of life

Assessment in Eriksons TheoryPsychohistorical AnalysisApplication of lifespan theory to lives of historical figuresPsychological Tests:Instruments based on crises in stages

Research in Eriksons TheoryTrustEarly strong bonds with mother later were more curious, sociable and popularIdentityStrong identity associated with greater cognitive and emotional functioning in college studentsCrisis may begin later than age 12Continuing process over the lifespan

Research in Eriksons TheoryGenerativityEvokes need to feel closer to othersCorrelated with extraversion, openness to new experiencesLikely to be involved in community, social relationships

Research in Eriksons TheoryMaturityHigh ego integrity: spent much time reviewing their livesEthnic IdentityEthnic minorities: ethnic identity significant factor in determining sense of self

Contributions of EriksonPersonality develops throughout the lifetimeIdentity crisis in adolescenceImpact of social, cultural, personal and situational forces in forming personality

Criticisms of EriksonAmbiguous terms and conceptsLack of precisionSome terms are not easily measured empiricallyExperiences in stage may only apply to malesIdentity crisis may only apply to those affluent enough to explore identities