Erikson

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Eriksons psychosocial theory

• Dr. K. A. Korb
• University of Jos

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Erik Erikson

• Father abandoned before born.
• Irregular work in Europe without an identity.
• Took a job as a teacher for children of Freuds
  patients.
• Trained in psychoanalysis (i.e. Freud).
• Took name as Erikson (son of himself) symbolizing
  full attainment of sense of identity.

Dr. K. A. Korb University of Jos
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Psychosocial Development

• Psychosocial Development of self in relationship
  to society
• Psycho Mental processes
• Social Relating to society
• Developmental changes in behavior result from the
  interaction between internal drives and cultural
  demands
• Psychosocial development is culturally relative
• Children in all cultures go through the same
  sequence of stages, but each culture has its own
  way of directing the childs behavior
• Social demands change within each culture over
  time

Dr. K. A. Korb University of Jos
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Eriksons Stages of Psychosocial Development

• Maturation and cultures expectations create
  eight crises that the individual must resolve for
  healthy development
• Cultural demands change as a child ages
• Development continues throughout the lifespan
• Main goal in life is the search for identity
• Identity Understanding and accepting ones self
  and society
• Eight psychosocial stages throughout the lifespan
  influences identity

Dr. K. A. Korb University of Jos
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Eriksons Stages of Psychosocial Development

• Each stage is characterized by a crisis
• Crisis a psychosocial challenge that presents
  opportunities for development
• Positive resolution of crisis leads to growth but
  negative resolution (or no resolution) leads to
  maladjustment
• Positive resolution Constructive orientation
  toward future events related to that conflict
• Negative resolution Problems resolving future
  crises

Dr. K. A. Korb University of Jos
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Eriksons Stages of Psychosocial Development
Stage Age (years) Crisis
Infancy 0-1 Trust vs. Mistrust
Early Childhood 2-3 Autonomy vs. Shame Doubt
Preschool 3-5 Initiative vs. Guilt
School Age 6-11 Industry vs. Inferiority
Adolescence 12-20 Identity vs. Role Confusion
Young Adults Mid-20s Intimacy vs. Isolation
Adulthood 25-60 Generativity vs. Stagnation
Old Age 60 Ego Integrity vs. Despair
Dr. K. A. Korb University of Jos
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Stage 1Trust vs. Mistrust
Age 0-1 years Primary Event Feeding

• Newborns cannot meet their own needs
• Have to trust that their mother meets their needs
• Trust Essential trustfulness of others and sense
  of ones own trustworthiness
• Positive Resolution Trust in the world based on
  basic needs being met
• Parents Role Provide warmth and responsiveness
  to childs needs to foster a secure attachment

Dr. K. A. Korb University of Jos
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Stage 2Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt
Age 2-3 years Primary Event Toilet Training

• Failing at toilet training leads to shame and
  doubt in abilities
• Autonomy Determination to exercise free will
• Shame and doubt about ones self-control and
  independence results if
• Trust crisis was not resolved
• Toilet training was too harsh
• Childs will is broken by over-controlling
  parents
• Positive Resolution Development of
  self-confidence based on encouragement and limit
  setting
• Parents Role Balance the childs desire for
  autonomy and parents need to control the childs
  behavior

Dr. K. A. Korb University of Jos
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Stage 3Initiative vs. Guilt
Age 3-5 years Primary Event Independence

• Initiative Actively seek to impose sense of will
  on surroundings
• Must learn balance between acting and controlling
  impulses
• Guilt results if initiative frequently leads to
  punishment or disapproval
• Positive Resolution Explore the environment with
  a sense of purpose
• Parents Role Support the childs initiative in
  appropriate situations

Dr. K. A. Korb University of Jos
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Stage 4Industry vs. Inferiority
Age 6-11 years Primary Event School

• Industry Doing things that others value
• Successful experiences give sense of industry,
  competence, and mastery
• Unsuccessful experiences leads to feelings of
  inadequacy, inferiority, and no self-worth
• Positive Resolution Productive work, success
  experiences, and understanding of progress
• Parents Role Help children participate in
  activities where they are successful

Dr. K. A. Korb University of Jos
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Stage 5Identity vs. Role Confusion
Age 12-20 years Primary Event Peer Relationships

• Identity Integrated sense of self
• Answering Who am I?
• Integrate beliefs in politics, religion, career,
  life purpose, family, etc.
• Identity crisis is the most significant conflict
• Role confusion Inability to integrate beliefs,
  leaving a fragmented personality
• Positive Resolution Strong sense of identity and
  plans for the future
• Parents Role Help the child learn about options
  for their identity

Dr. K. A. Korb University of Jos
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James Marcias Identity States
Committed to Identity? Committed to Identity?
Yes No
Searching for Identity? Yes Identity Achievement Identity Moratorium
Searching for Identity? No Identity Foreclosure Identity Diffusion
Dr. K. A. Korb University of Jos
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Stage 6Intimacy vs. Isolation
Age mid-20s Primary Event Loving Relationships

• Intimacy Close committed relationship with
  someone
• Identity is necessary for intimacy with others
• Positive Resolution Ability to self-disclose
  with another person

Dr. K. A. Korb University of Jos
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Stage 7Generativity vs. Stagnation
Age 25-60 years Primary Event Parenting

• Generativity Desire to create things in the
  world that will outlive you
• Stagnation Self-absorption
• Positive Resolution Acts of caring beyond the
  self

Dr. K. A. Korb University of Jos
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Stage 8Ego Integrity vs. Despair
Age 60 years Primary Event Reflection on Life

• Ego Integrity View that ones life has had
  meaning and acceptance of ones choices.
• Despair Regret for what one has or has not done
  with their life
• Positive Resolution Satisfaction about the past

Dr. K. A. Korb University of Jos
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Comparing Developmental Theories
Active/Passive Nature/Nurture Stage/Continuous
Piaget Active Both Stage
Information Processing Active Both Both
Sociocultural Active Both Continuous
Neo-Piagetians Active Both Stage
Social Learning Both Nurture Continuous
Psychosocial Passive Both Stage
Attachment
Ecological Systems
Dr. K. A. Korb University of Jos
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Critique of Psychosocial Theory

• Strengths
• One of first developmental theories to focus on
  development across the lifespan
• Logical progression of life stages
• Weakness
• The theory does not explain why development occurs

Dr. K. A. Korb University of Jos
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Implications for Education

• Importance of early relationships with caregivers
• Illustrates the significance of successful
  experiences in school
• Explains that children of different ages have
  different social needs

Dr. K. A. Korb University of Jos
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Revision

• Describe Eriksons eight stages.
• Explain what a teacher/parent can do to support
  development in each of the childhood stages

Dr. K. A. Korb University of Jos