Human Growth and Development Eriksons 8 Stages of

Human Growth and Development Erikson’s 8 Stages of Psychosocial Development

Erikson’s 8 Stages of Psychosocial Development • Erikson (June 15, 1902 – May 12, 1994) was a German-born American developmental psychologist and psychoanalyst known for his theory on psychosocial development of human beings • Psychosocial=involving both psychological (mind) and social aspects • Erikson believed that personality develops in a series of stages

Erikson’s 8 Stages of Psychosocial Development • Erikson identified 8 stages of development, the basic conflict or need at each stage, & ways to resolve the conflict • He believed that if an individual is not able to resolve a conflict at the appropriate stage, the individual will struggle with the same conflict later in life

Infancy • Stage of development: Infancy, Birth-1 year (oral-sensory) • Basic conflict: Trust versus Mistrust • Major life event: Feeding • Ways to resolve conflict: Infant develops trust in self, others, & the environment when the caregiver is responsive to basic needs & provides comfort. If needs aren’t met, infant becomes uncooperative & aggressive, & shows a decreased interest in the environment

Toddler • Stage of development: Toddler, 1 -3 yrs (Muscular-Anal) • Basic Conflict: Autonomy vs Shame/Doubt • Major life event: Toilet training • Ways to resolve conflict: Toddler learns to control while mastering skills such as feeding, toileting, and dressing when caregivers provide reassurance but avoid overprotection. If needs aren’t met, toddler feels ashamed & doubts own abilities, which least to lack of self-confidence in later stages

Preschool • Stage of development: Preschool, 3 -6 yrs (Locomotor) • Basic conflict: Initiative vs Guilt • Major life event: Independence • Ways to resolve conflict: Child begins to initiate activities in place of just imitating activities; uses imagination to play; learns what is allowed & what isn’t allowed to develop a conscience; caregivers must allow child to be responsible while providing reassurance; if needs not met, child feels guilty & thinks everything he does is wrong, which leads to a hesitancy to try new tasks in later stages

School-Age • Stage of development: School-Age, 6 -12 yrs (Latency) • Basic conflict: Industry vs Inferiority • Major life event: School • Ways to resolve conflict: Child becomes productive by mastering learning & obtaining success; child learns to deal with academics, group activities, & friends when others show acceptance of actions & praise success; if needs aren’t met, child develops a sense of inferiority & incompetence, which hinders future relationships & the ability to deal with life events

Adolescence • Stage of development: Adolescence, 12 -18 yrs • Basic conflict: Identity vs Role Confusion • Major life event: Peer • Ways to resolve conflict: Adolescent searches for selfidentity by making choices about occupations, sexual orientation, lifestyle, & adult role; relies on peer group for support & reassurance to create a self-image separate from parents; if needs aren’t met, adolescent experiences role confusion & loss of self-belief

Young Adulthood • Stage of development: Young Adulthood, 19 -40 yrs • Basic conflict: Intimacy vs Isolation • Major life event: Love relationships • Ways to resolve conflict: Young adult learns to make a personal commitment to others & share life events with others; if self-identity is lacking, adult may fear relationships & isolate from others

Middle Adulthood • Stage of development: Middle Adulthood, 40 -65 yrs • Basic conflict: Generativity vs Stagnation • Major life event: Parenting • Ways to resolve conflict: Adult seeks satisfaction & obtains success in life by using career, family, & civic interests to provide for others & the next generation; if adult doesn’t deal with life issues, feels lack of purpose to life & sense of failure

Older Adulthood • Stage of development: Older Adulthood 65 yrs to death • Basic conflict: Ego Integrity vs Despair • Major life event: Reflection on and acceptance of life • Ways to resolve conflict: Adults reflects on life in a positive manner, feels fulfillment with his own life & accomplishments, deals with losses, & prepares for death; if fulfillment is not felt, adult feels despair about life & fear of death