Psychosocial Theory by: Erik Erickson's Stage 4: Industry vs.

Inferiority
 6-12 years old
 Born June 15, 1902 in Frankfurt, Germany.  Basic Virtue: Competence
 Died May 12, 1994 in Massachusetts, USA  If children are encouraged and reinforced for their initiative,
 Field: Developmental Psychology they begin to feel INDUSTRIOUS (competent) and feel
 Key Idea: Theories of Social-Psychosocial Development confident in their ability to achieve goals.
 If the child is restricted by parents or teacher, then the child
begins to feel INFERIOR, doubting his own abilities and
About Erik Erickson therefore may not reach his or her potential.
 A Danish-German-American developmental psychologist and
psychoanalyst known for his theory on psychological
Stage 5: Ego Identity vs. Role Confusion
development of human beings.
 Erikson maintained that personality develops in a  Adolescence (12-18 years old)
predetermined order through eight stages of psychosocial  Social Relationship
development, from infancy to adulthood.  Virtue: Fidelity
 Erik Erickson: The father of psychosocial development  In this stage, adolescents are setting boundaries with parents
 Erikson adopted the belief from Sigmund Freud that such as having their own private lives with friends and
development is characterized by a series of stage-related romantic interests.
conflicts between two perspectives. He believed that you must  Teen needs to develop a sense of self and personal identity.
hold both perspectives in order to achieve identity strengths, During the search, children may often experiment with
which he defined as virtues. different identities and viewpoints including occupation,
 He argued that social experience was valuable throughout life, gender, political views and religion.
with each stage recognizable by the specific conflict we  Success leads to ability to a strong sense of self that will
encounter between our psychological needs and the remain throughout life.
surrounding social environment.  While failure leads to role confusion and a weak sense of self.

"Children love and want to be loved and they very much Stage 6: Intimacy vs. Isolation
prefer the joy of accomplishment to the triumph of hateful  Young adulthood (19-40years old)
failure. Do not mistake a child for his symptom." -Erik  Relationship with the opposite sex
Erickson  Virtue: Love
 Young adult need to form intimate, loving relationships with
PSYCHOSOCIAL: Derive from two source words: the other people.
1. Psychological (root word 'psycho' relating to mind, brain,  Success leads to strong relationships.
personality, etc.)  While failure results in loneliness and living alone.
2. Social (external relationship and environment)
Stage 7: Generativity vs. Stagnation
Two Opposing Emotional Forces (Contrary Dispositions)  Middle Adulthood (40-65 years old)
 Syntonic: refers to instincts or ideas that are acceptable to the  Work and Parenthood
self; that are compatible with one's values and ways of  Virtue: Care
thinking.  Adult need to create or nurture things that will outlast them,
 Dystonic: refers to thoughts, impulses, and behaviors that are often by having family, raising children, caring for aging
felt to be repugnant, distressing, unacceptable or inconsistent parents and contributing to society or creating positive change
with one's self-concept. that benefit other people.
 Success leads to feelings of usefulness and accomplishment.
Two Opposing Emotional Forces (Contrary Dispositions)  While Failure result in shallow involvement in the world or non-
 Malignancy: there is too little of the positive and too much of productive.
the negative aspect
 Maladaptation: present if there is too much of the positive and Stage 8: Integrity vs. Despair
too little of the negative.
 Maturity (65 years old-Death
Definition of terms:  Reflection on Life
 Psychosocial crisis: refers to the turning points in a person’s  Virtue: Wisdom
relationships and feelings about themselves.  Older adults need to look back on their life and reflect whether
 Basic Virtue: are characteristic strengths which the ego can they feel a sense of fulfillment.
use to resolve subsequent crises.  Success at this stage leads to feeling happiness and
satisfaction.
Stages of psychosocial theory  While failure of this stage results in regret, bitterness and
despair.
Stage 1: Trust vs. Mistrust
 Birth- 18 months Each stage – influenced by biological, psychological, and social
 Basic Virtue: HOPE
 If the care the infant receives is consistent, predictable and
reliable, they will develop a sense of TRUST.
 If parents/caregivers reject the infants needs or if the care has
been inconsistent and unreliable, then the infant may develop
a sense of MISTRUST.

Stage 2: Autonomy vs. Shame

 18 months-3 or 4 y.o
 Basic Virtue: Will

 If a parent permits the child to explore and manipulate his/her

environment, the child will develop AUTONOMY or
independence.

 If parents will discourage or push or criticize the child, he will

develop SHAME AND DOUBT.

Stage 3: Initiative vs. Guilt

 3 or 4 yrs to 5 or 6 years old
 Basic Virtue: Purpose
 Children begin to plan activities, make up games, and initiate factors – was sequential, from birth to infancy, childhood into
activities with others. adulthood, middle age into old age.
 If given this opportunity, children develop a sense of
INITIATIVE and feel secure in their ability to lead others and
make decisions.
 Conversely, if initiatives are suppressed either through
criticism or control, the child will develop GUILT.