Erikson:
Post- Freudian
Theory
Prepared by:
February Gabriel
Overview
Erikson postulated 8 stages of psychosocial
development through which people progress.
Although he differed from Freud on the
emphasis on his ego and social influences, his
theory is an extension, not a repudiation of
Freudian psychoanalysis.
VIEW OF HUMAN NATURE
Humans are motivated by past experiences, which may be
either conscious or unconscious.
Prior to adolescence, personality is largely shaped by
unconscious motivation.
His fundamental beliefs is that each person is a product of his
or her historical time and that those historical times are
influenced by exceptional leaders experiencing a personal
identity conflict.
The Ego in Post-Freudian
Theory
One of Erikson's chief contributions to personality theory was his
emphasis on ego rather than id functions.
According to Erikson...
our ego helps us adapt to the various conflicts and crises of life
and keeps us from losing our individuality to the levelling
forces of society
Ego is the person’s ability to unify experiences and actions in
an adaptive manner
3 Interrelated aspects of ego
Body ego refers to experiences with our body; a way of
seeing our physical self as different for other people.
Ego ideal represents the image we have of ourselves in
comparison with an established ideal; it is responsible for
our being satisfied or dissatisfied not only with our
physical self but with our entire personal identity.
Ego identity is the image we have of ourselves in the
variety of social roles we play.
Society's Influence
The ego develops within a given society and is
influenced by child-rearing practices and other
cultural customs. All cultures and nations develop a
pseudospecies, or a fictional notion that they are
superior to other cultures.
pseudospecies:
,-an illusion perpetrated and perpetuated by
a particular society that it is
somehow chosen to be the human species.
Epigenetic Principle
The ego develops according to the epigenetic principle; that is,
it grows according to a genetically established rate and in a
fixed sequence.
• Epigenetic development implies a step-by-step growth of fetal organs.
• “anything that grows has a ground plan, and that out of this ground
plan the parts arise, each part having its time of special ascendancy,
until all parts have arisen to form a functioning whole”- Erikson
STAGES OF
PSYCHOSOCIAL
DEVELOPMENT
Each of the eight stages of development is marked by a conflict
between a syntonic (harmonious) element and a dystonic
(disruptive) element, which produces a basic strength or ego
quality.
Basic strengths:
- motivating characteristics and beliefs that derive from the
satisfactory resolution of the crisis at each developmental stage.
Stage 1: INFANCY (0-1yr)
Basic Conflict : Trust vs. Mistrust
Basic Strength : Hope
Important Event: Feeding
Outcome:
Children develop a sense of trust when caregivers
provide reliability, care, and affection. A lack of this will
lead to mistrust.
Stage 2: EARLY CHILDHOOD (2-3 y/o)
Basic Conflict : Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt
Basic Strength : Will
Important Event: Toilet Training
Outcome:
Children need to develop a sense of personal control over physical
skills and a sense of independence.
Potty training plays an important role in helping children develop this
sense of autonomy..
Success during this stage of psychosocial development leads to
feelings of autonomy, failure results in feelings of shame and Doubt.
Stage 3: PLAY AGE (3/6 y/o)
Basic Conflict: Initiative vs. Guilt
Basic Strength : Purpose
Important Event: Exploration
Outcome:
Success in this stage leads to a sense of purpose.
Children who try to exert too much power experience
disapproval, resulting in a sense of guilt.
Stage 4: SCHOOL AGE (7-12 y/o)
Basic Conflict: Industry vs. Inferiority
Basic Strength : Competence
Important Event: School
Outcome:
Children need to cope with new social and
academic demands.
Success leads to a sense of competence, while
failure results in feelings of inferiority.
Stage 5: ADOLADOLESCENCE (13-18 y/o)
Basic Conflict: Identity vs. Role Confusion
Basic Strength : Fidelity
Important Event: Social Relationships
Outcome:
Teens need to develop a sense of self and
personal identity.
Success leads to an ability to stay true to
yourself, while failure leads to role confusion and
a weak sense of self.
Stage 6: EARLY ADULTHOOD (19/30 y/o)
Basic Conflict: Intimacy vs. Isolation
Basic Strength: Love
Important Events: Relationships
Outcome:
Young adults need to form intimate, loving
relationships with other people.
Success leads to strong relationships, while failure
results in loneliness and isolation.
Stage 7: ADULTHOOD (31/60 y/o)
Basic Conflict: Generativity vs. Stagnation
Basic Strength : Care
Important Events: Work and Parenthood
Outcome:
Adults need to create or nurture things that will
outlast them, often by having children or creating a
positive change that benefits other people.
Success leads to feelings of usefulness and
accomplishment, while failure results in shallow
involvement in the world.
Stage 8: OLD AGE ( 61 y/o & beyond)
Basic Conflict : Integrity vs. Despair
Basic Strength : Wisdom
Important Events: Reflection on life
Outcome:
Older adults need to look back on life and feel a sense of
fulfilment.
Success at this stage leads to feelings of wisdom, while failure
results in regret, bitterness, and despair.
People reflect back on the events of their lives and take stock;
either feel satisfied or feel regret of what they have done.
ADAPTIVE VS. MALADAPTIVE
STAGE AGES BASIC STRENGHTS
WAYS OF COPING
Infancy Birth-1 yr Trust vs. Mistrust Hope
Early Childhood 2-3 Autonomy vs. Shame Will
Play age 4-6 Initiative vs. Doubt and Shame Purpose
Competence
School Age 7-12 Industriousness vs. Inferiority
Adolescence 13-18 Identity vs. Role Confusion Fidelity
Young Adulthood 19-30 Intimacy vs. Isolation Love
Middle Adulthood 31-60 Generativity vs. Stagnation Care
Maturity 61 & beyond Integrity vs. Despair Wisdom
Thank
You !!!
