Erikson’s Psychosocial Theory
Erikson’s theory on development places more emphasis on the social interactions because he believes that the psychological development of individuals depend on the social relations established at various points in life.
The eight stages of development according to Erickson are the following:
Stage 1
– the focus on this stage is on infant-parent interaction
– with consistency and reliability in handling of the child, the child develops trust
– the basic theme on this stage is trust vs mistrust
Stage 2
– the major issue on this stage is autonomy
– the ability to do as one pleases and not to be pushed around by others
– this is the famous “No” stage in which the child must show that he is an individual but at the same time he worries if he is capable of being so
Stage 3
– this stage is on the preschool period
– the major issue on this stage is the initiative or the child’s ability to work towards a goal or make plans
Stage 4
– in this stage, the conflict is between industry and inferiority
– in this stage, the child industriously apply to learn skills that society requires him but at the same time, it is also the period of inferiority because the price of failing socially or scholastically is so high
Stage 5
– this is the stage of Puberty
– this is the “who am i stage”; the identity crisis stage
– adolescents must learn to develop an identity of their own and at the same time face a rapidly changing physical appearance
Stages 6,7 and 8
– this is the stage that Erikson defined as adulthood. Erickson believes that development does not end at adolescence but that it continues throughout life.
Erikson stated that after a person establishes his identity, he is capable of mature unselfish relationships with other people.
Furthermore, Erikson stated that in old age, the question is asked, “has it been worthwhile?”. If the answer is yes, then the person has achieved ego integrity.