Erikson's Theory: Trust vs. Mistrust

Erikson’s Theory
Erik Erikson (1902–1994) was a stage theorist who took Freud’s

controversial theory of psychosexual development and modified it as a
psychosocial theory. Erikson emphasized that the ego makes positive
contributions to development by mastering attitudes, ideas, and skills at each
stage of development. This mastery helps children grow into successful,
contributing members of society. During each of Erikson’s eight stages, there
is a psychological conflict that must be successfully overcome in order for a
child to develop into a healthy, well-adjusted adult.
Stages of Psychosocial Development

Erikson’s stages of psychosocial development are based on Freud’s
psychosexual theory. Erikson proposed that we are motivated by the need
to achieve competence in certain areas of our lives. According to
psychosocial theory, we experience eight stages of development over our
lifespan, from infancy through late adulthood. At each stage there is a crisis
or task that we need to resolve. Successful completion of each
developmental task results in a sense of competence and a
healthy personality. Failure to master these tasks leads to feelings of
inadequacy.
Trust vs. Mistrust

From birth to 12 months of age, infants must learn that adults can be trusted.
This occurs when adults meet a child’s basic needs for survival. Infants are
dependent upon their caregivers, so caregivers who are responsive and
sensitive to their infant’s needs help their baby to develop a sense of trust;
their baby will see the world as a safe, predictable place. Unresponsive
caregivers who do not meet their baby’s needs can engender feelings
of anxiety, fear, and mistrust; their baby may see the world as unpredictable.
If infants are treated cruelly or their needs are not met appropriately, they will
likely grow up with a sense of mistrust for people in the world.
Autonomy vs. Shame/Doubt
As toddlers (ages 1–3 years) begin to explore their world, they learn that they
can control their actions and act on their environment to get results. They
begin to show clear preferences for certain elements of the environment,
such as food, toys, and clothing. A toddler’s main task is to resolve the issue
of autonomy vs. shame and doubt by working to establish independence.
Initiative vs. Guilt

Once children reach the preschool stage (ages 3–6 years), they are capable
of initiating activities and asserting control over their world through social
interactions and play. According to Erikson, preschool children must resolve
the task of Initiative vs. Guilt. By learning to plan and achieve goals while
interacting with others, preschool children can master this task. Initiative, a
sense of ambition and responsibility, occurs when parents allow a child to
explore within limits and then support the child’s choice.
Industry vs. Inferiority

During the elementary school stage (ages 6–12), children face the task
of industry vs. inferiority. Children begin to compare themselves with their
peers to see how they measure up. They either develop a sense of pride and
accomplishment in their schoolwork, sports, social activities, and family life,
or they feel inferior and inadequate because they feel that they don’t
measure up. If children do not learn to get along with others or have negative
experiences at home or with peers, an inferiority complex might develop
into adolescence and adulthood.
Identity vs. Role Confusion

In adolescence (ages 12–18), children face the task of identity vs. role
confusion. According to Erikson, an adolescent’s main task is developing a
sense of self. Adolescents struggle with questions such as “Who am I?” and
“What do I want to do with my life?” Along the way, most adolescents try on
many different selves to see which ones fit; they explore various roles and
ideas, set goals, and attempt to discover their “adult” selves.
Intimacy vs. Isolation
People in early adulthood (20s through early 40s) are concerned
with intimacy vs. isolation. After we have developed a sense of self in
adolescence, we are ready to share our life with others. However, if other
stages have not been successfully resolved, young adults may have trouble
developing and maintaining successful relationships with others. Erikson
said that we must have a strong sense of self before we can develop
successful intimate relationships. Adults who do not develop a positive self-
concept in adolescence may experience feelings of loneliness and emotional
isolation.
Generativity vs. Stagnation

When people reach their 40s, they enter the time known as middle
adulthood, which extends to the mid-60s. The social task of middle adulthood
is generativity vs. stagnation. Generativity involves finding your life’s work
and contributing to the development of others through activities such as
volunteering, mentoring, and raising children.
Integrity vs. Despair

From the mid-60s to the end of life, we are in the period of development
known as late adulthood. Erikson’s task at this stage is called integrity vs.
despair. He said that people in late adulthood reflect on their lives and feel
either a sense of satisfaction or a sense of failure. People who feel proud of
their accomplishments feel a sense of integrity, and they can look back on
their lives with few regrets. However, people who are not successful at this
stage may feel as if their life has been wasted. They focus on what “would
have,” “should have,” and “could have” been. They face the end of their lives
with feelings of bitterness, depression, and despair.
CLYDE ELYZE C. DELA CRUZ

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Erikson’s Theory

Erik Erikson (1902–1994) was a stage theorist who took Freud’s

Stages of Psychosocial Development

Trust vs. Mistrust

Initiative vs. Guilt

Industry vs. Inferiority

Identity vs. Role Confusion

Generativity vs. Stagnation

Integrity vs. Despair

CLYDE ELYZE C. DELA CRUZ

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