ERIKSON’S
PSYCHOSOCIAL
DEVELOPMENT MODEL
GENESIS GARCIA, YASMIN GONZALEZ
ERIK ERIKSON’S THEORY PROPOSES THAT OUR
PERSONALITY DEVELOPS THROUGH EIGHT STAGES, FROM
INFANCY TO OLD AGE. DURING THESE STAGES, YOU
DEVELOP EGO, VIRTUE, STRENGTH, OR MALDEVELOPMENT.
STAGE 1: TRUST VERSUS MISTRUST
• ” We are entirely reliant on our caregivers for
warmth, love, stability, and nurturing. If reliable
and predictable, we gain confidence, a sense of
security, and a feeling of safety in the world.”
(Syed & McLean, 2018)
• This stage occurs during the first 18 months of
ones life. During this stage, the infant is entirely
reliable on it’s caregiver.
• Failure in this stage results in fear, mistrust, and
suspicion. We become anxious, and feel we have
no control or influence on our environment .
STAGE 2: AUTONOMY VERSUS SHAME AND
DOUBT
• Throughout this stage, a child learns to be
independent and make decisions for
themselves.
• This stage occurs from 18 months to 3 years.
• A good example of autonomy versus shame
and doubt is: A preschooler picking out their
outfit before school no matter what it looks
like.
• If a child is learning a new skill but is met with
punishment and negativity, they will form
shame and doubt.
STAGE 3: INITIATIVE VERSUS GUILT
• During this stage, children begin to assert
their dominance over the world through
socializing and playing with other children.
• This stage occurs during preschool years
during ages 3-5.
• For example, a child taking initiative may
be coming up with a new game to play.
They are exploring being a leader.
• If a child is neglected from group play,
they will form guilt.
STAGE 4: INDUSTRY VERSUS INFERIORITY
• This stage is where children start mastering certain skills
such as athletics, academics, and social skills. This is
them developing a sense of industry.
• This stage occurs from ages 6-12.
• During these ages, children seek to gain accomplishment
in learning new skills. Those who experience little
success in their skills develop a sense of inferiority.
• Inferiority can happen if a child isn’t given the
opportunity to expand their skills, or if they’re criticized
for trying.
STAGE 5: IDENTITY VERSUS ROLE CONFUSION
• In a nutshell, this stage revolves around having an identity
crisis from ages 12-18.
• During this age, children realize that they have to perform
at a much larger scale than what they’re used to at school.
• Some influences that place these expectations on a child
are parents, teachers, and society in general.
• A child will experience role confusion when for example,
their parents want one thing but they want another thing.
• Who do they want to be? What do they want to do?
STAGE 6: INTIMACY VERSUS ISOLATION
• This stage occurs during adulthood, where one may search for
intimacy as a sense of belonging in this world.
• This stage lasts as long as 20 years which is the longest stage out
of them all!
• If a person has successfully completed these 5 stages and found
their identity, they are ready to welcome intimate relationships into
their life.
• During this stage, young adults will start to close in their friend
circles and maintain long lasting friendships.
• Once a person is not able to develop romantic or platonic
relationships with others, they will start isolating.
STAGE 7: GENERATIVITY VERSUS STAGNATION
• During the ages 40-60, a person really starts to think about their
legacy.
• This stage ties in with intimacy versus isolation.
• People who successfully passed the 6th stage have formed a sense of
community and love. Examples of this can be a spouse, children, a
close circle of friends.
• During this stage, people start looking onto the next generation,
whether it be their own children or grandchildren. If a person feels
good about their influence on the next generation, they’ll feel proud.
• If a person does not feel good, they might feel embarrassed and want
to make their mark on the world.
REFERENCES!
• [Link]
• [Link]
elopment-2795740
• [Link]
erikson-integrity-vs-despair/
STAGE 8: INTEGRITY VERSUS DESPAIR
• This stage revolves around reflecting on lifelong accomplishments.
• You may ask yourself, “Have I led a meaningful life?” or ”Did I enjoy my
career?” “Are the generations I have built set up to have a great life?”
• If one feels satisfied with their achievements and relationships built
throughout life, they will feel satisfied with integrity.
• If during the 9th stage, you felt stagnant and unsatisfied, you will most
likely feel despair for not being fulfilled with relationships and success
in your life. You will need to feel confident in your legacy and wisdom
that you will pass down to others to overcome this stage.
