DR - Harpal Kaur Aujla (Associate Professor) Akal College of Education, Mastuana Sahib Sangrur (Punjab)

DR.
HARPAL KAUR AUJLA (ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR)

AKAL COLLEGE OF EDUCATION, MASTUANA SAHIB
SANGRUR (PUNJAB)
He was a student of Freud, and was greatly influenced by the
latter's theories of personality development. But, Erikson gave a great deal
of importance to the social environment in a person's psychological
development. According to Erikson - social interaction and relationships played
a role in the development and growth of human beings.
In each stage, Erikson believed people experience a conflict that serves as a

turning point in development.
If people successfully deal with the conflict, they emerge from the stage with
psychological strengths that will serve them well for the rest of their lives.
If the stage is handled well, the person will feel a sense of mastery, ego will be
strengthen. If the stage is managed poorly, the person will emerge with a
sense of inadequacy in that aspect of development.
Stage 1: Infancy (birth to 18 months)
Basic Conflict: Trust vs. Mistrust
Important Events: Feeding
An infant is utterly dependent and development of his / her trust is based on

the dependability and quality of the child's caregivers.
Dependent for everything to survive including food, love, warmth, safety,

and nurturing.
If a caregiver fails to provide adequate care and love, the child will come to
feel that he or she cannot trust or depend upon the adults in his or her life.
If a child successfully develops trust, he or she will feel safe and secure in the
world. Caregivers who are inconsistent, emotionally unavailable, or rejecting
contribute to feelings of mistrust in the children under their care.
Failure to develop trust will result in fear and a belief that the world is
inconsistent and unpredictable.
Stage 2: Early Childhood (2 to 3 years)
Basic Conflict: Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt
Important Events: Toilet Training
Children develop a greater sense of personal control.

They are just starting to gain a little independence. They are starting to
perform basic actions on their own and making simple decisions about
what they prefer. If parents allow their kids to make choices and gain
control a sense of autonomy will be developed.
Like Freud, Erikson believed that toilet training was a vital part of this
process. Erikson believed that learning to control one's bodily functions
leads to a feeling of control and a sense of independence.
Trying to gain more control over food choices, toy preferences, and
clothing selection.
Children who successfully complete this stage feel secure and confident,
while those who do not are left with a sense of inadequacy and self-
doubt.
Stage 3: Preschool (3 to 5 years)
Basic Conflict: Initiative vs. Guilt
Important Events: Exploration
Children begin to assert their power and control over the world
through directing play and other social interactions.
Children who are successful at this stage feel capable and able to
lead others. Those who fail to acquire these skills are left with a
sense of guilt, self-doubt, and lack of initiative.
Stage 4: School Age (6 to 11 years)
Basic Conflict: Industry vs. Inferiority
Important Events: School
• Through social interactions, children begin to develop a sense
of pride in their accomplishments and abilities.
• Children who are encouraged and commended by parents

and teachers develop a feeling of competence and belief in
their skills.
• Those who receive little or no encouragement from parents,

teachers, or peers will doubt their abilities to be successful.
• Competence is built.
• children develop a belief their abilities to handle the tasks set
before them.
Stage 5: Identity vs. Confusion
Adolescence (12 to 18 years)
Basic Conflict: Identity vs. Role Confusion
Important Events: Social Relationships
A sense of personal identity is developed. It is shaped by our experiences

and interactions with others.
Children explore their independence and develop a sense of self.
Those who receive proper encouragement and reinforcement through
personal exploration will emerge from this stage with a strong sense of
self and feelings of independence and control.
Those who remain unsure of their beliefs and desires will feel insecure
and confused about themselves and the future.
According to Erikson, our ego identity constantly changes due to new
experiences and information we acquire in our daily interactions with
others. As we have new experiences, we also take on challenges that can
help or hinder the development of identity.
Stage 6: Young Adulthood (19 to 40 years)
Basic Conflict: Intimacy vs. Isolation
Important Events: Relationships
Early adulthood when people are exploring personal relationships. Erikson believed
it was vital that people develop close, committed relationships with other people.
Those who are successful at this step will form relationships that are enduring and
secure.
Strong sense of personal identity develops intimate relationships.
Poor sense of self develops less committed relationships and are more likely to
suffer emotional isolation, loneliness and depression.
Successful resolution of this stage results in love. Love develops ability to form
lasting, meaningful relationships with other people.
Stage 7: Middle Adulthood (40 to 65 years)
Basic Conflict: Generativity vs. Stagnation
Important Events: Work and Parenthood
During adulthood, Main focus is on career and family. Those who are successful
during this phase will feel that they are contributing to the world by being active in
their home and community. Those who fail to attain this skill will feel unproductive
and uninvolved in the world.
Care is the virtue achieved when this stage is handled successfully. Being proud of
your accomplishments, watching your children grow into adults, and developing a
sense of unity with your life partner are important accomplishments of this stage.
Stage 8: Maturity (65 to death)
Basic Conflict: Ego Integrity vs. Despair
Important Events: Reflection on life
The final psychosocial stage occurs during old age and is focused on reflecting back
on life. People look back on the events of their lives and determine if they are
happy with the life that they lived or if they regret the things they did or didn't do.
Those who are unsuccessful during this stage will feel that their life has been
wasted and will experience many regrets. The individual will be left with feelings of
bitterness and despair.
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.
REFERENCES
https://www.verywellmind.com › erik-eriksons-stages-of-psy...
https://www.simplypsychology.org › Erik-Erikson
https://www.helenfarabee.org › poc › view_doc

DR - Harpal Kaur Aujla (Associate Professor) Akal College of Education, Mastuana Sahib Sangrur (Punjab)

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DR.

HARPAL KAUR AUJLA (ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR)

In each stage, Erikson believed people experience a conflict that serves as a

An infant is utterly dependent and development of his / her trust is based on

Dependent for everything to survive including food, love, warmth, safety,

Children develop a greater sense of personal control.

• Children who are encouraged and commended by parents

• Those who receive little or no encouragement from parents,

A sense of personal identity is developed. It is shaped by our experiences

Strong sense of personal identity develops intimate relationships.

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