Erik Erickson

The Eight Stages of Life

By Emily Aubin, Mat Goulet and Lindsay Durling

Erik Erickson• Erik Erikson was born June 15 1902. He was a

developmental psychologist as well as a psychoanalyst best known for his theories of social development and of psychological development. He also came up with the phrase “identity crisis”.

• His theory of Psychological development shows that there are eight stages in which an individual goes through, throughout their life in order to gain maturity and an identity.

• This theory of Psychological development proposes the eight stages of life, and within these stages, challenges and conflicts will arise and be overcome.

• The Eight stages of life include: Infancy, Early Childhood, Play Age, School Age, Adolescence, Young Adulthood, Middle Adulthood and Late Adulthood

Step 1 - Infancy• Age: Birth – 18 months• Also known as Oral Sensory• Conflict to overcome: Trust vs. Mistrust• Basic strength: Drive and Hope• Major emphasis is put on the mother's positive and loving care for the child. Passing through this

period of life brings the trust of life as well as trust of others. This in turn builds confidence needed in life.

• Failing to experience trust and being constantly frustrated results in needs not being met.

• Studies show that attempted suicides and suicides relate back to stability and trust gained in the earlier years of ones life.

• The most significant relationship a child has, is with the maternal parent, the most significant and constant caregiver, due to the trust built up over this short time.

• For example, a baby trusts their mother most, as she cares for him/her and constantly spends time with her. The more the child comes in contact with other people, the more the child will trust them. The same applies to when a baby is first learning to walk, he/she needs to trust and gain confidence before becoming a stable and mobile child. Lack of mobility due to trust at this time especially, leads to much frustration from the baby

Step 2 – Early Childhood

• Age: 18 months – 3 years• Also known as Muscular - Anal• Conflict to overcome: Autonomy vs. Shame• Basic Strengths: Self-control, Courage, and Will• During this stage a child learns to do things for themselves. Not only to walk, talk and

feed themselves, they are also refining their mobility.• In this stage the child gains more control over his/her body and begins to learn right

from wrong. The most well known skill in the "Terrible Two's" stage is the ability of the child to use the word "NO!" It may be annoying and embarrassing for parents, but it develops important skills of the will and patience.

• Also, during this stage, a child can be very vulnerable. If they are shamed in the process of toilet training or in learning other important skills, they may feel great shame and doubt their capabilities and suffer low self-esteem as a result. Much patience and praise is needed through this stage in a child’s life.

• Key terms – Autonomy: A person’s ability to make independent choices.

Step 3 – Play Age• Age: 3 years – 6 years• Also known as Locomotor• Conflict to overcome: Initiative vs. Guilt• Basic Strength: Purpose• During this period children begin to grow mentally. They experience

a desire to copy the adults around them as well as gaining a greater sense of creativity and imagination. Initiative is taken to create these imaginary play situations with Barbie and Ken, playing “Mums and Dads”. They are experimenting and trying to simulate what being an adult means to them.

• Because a child’s brain is developing they begin to use that word for exploring the world—"WHY?"

• If a child is frustrated over natural desires and goals, they may easily experience guilt.

• For example, a child who stole another kids toy and in the process making the other kid cry, may feel guilty.

Step 4 – School Age• Age: 6 years – 12 years• Also known as Latency• Conflict to overcome: Industry vs. Inferiority• Basic Strengths: Method and Competence

• During this time the brain is furthering its development and as a result, we are capable of learning, creating and accomplishing numerous new skills and knowledge, therefore developing a sense of industry.

• This is also a very social stage of development. If one experiences feelings of inadequacy and inferiority among his/her peers, one could have serious problems in terms of competence and self-esteem in the future.

• As the world expands a bit, the most significant relationship is shifting from parents to the school and neighbourhood.

Step 5 - Adolescence• Age: 12 years – 18 years• Also known as Adolescence• Conflict to overcome: Identity vs. Role Confusion• Basic Strengths: Devotion and Fidelity

• Up to this stage, according to Erikson’s beliefs, development mostly depends upon what is done to us. From now on, development depends first and for mostly on what we do.

• Whilst adolescence is a stage between childhood and adulthood, life is more complex as we attempt to find our own identity, struggle with social interactions, and face moral issues.

• The primary objective in this stage of our lives is discovering our own identity as members of a wider society. IT is not uncommon to go into a period of withdrawing from responsibilities.

• If we do not find our identity we experience role confusion and upheaval.

• Most significant relationships during this stage in life are with peer groups, as we develop strong devotion to friends.

Step 6 – Young Adulthood

• Age: 18 years – 40 years• Conflicts to overcome: Intimacy and Solidarity vs. Isolation• Basic Strengths: Affiliation and Love• In the initial stage of being an adult we seek companionship and love. We try to

find mutually satisfying relationships, through marriage and friends, and generally begin to start a family.

• If completing this stage is successful, we can experience intimacy on a deep level.

• If we're not successful, isolation and distance from others may occur. • Significant relationships are with marital partners and friends.

Step 7 – Middle Adulthood

• Age: 40 years – 65 years• Conflicts to overcome: Generativity vs. Self absorption or Stagnation• Basic Strengths: Production and Care

• In this stage work is most crucial. Erikson observed that middle-age is when people are usually occupied with creative and meaningful work and have increasing issues surrounding family, as well as lots of stress.

• The significant task is working to establish a stable environment and repairing ties with those important to us. When we're in this stage we often fear inactivity and meaninglessness.

• As the children leave home, or our relationships change, we may be faced with major life changes (the mid-life crisis) and struggle to find new meanings and purposes in life.

• If we don't get through this stage successfully, we can become self-absorbed and stagnate.

• Significant relationships are within the workplace, the community and the family.• Key terms – Generativity: relating to the ability to create or reproduce.

Stagnant: Not flowing or circulating. At a stand still.

Step 8 – Late Adulthood• Age: 65 years - Death• Also known as Maturity• Conflict to overcome: Integrity vs. Despair• Basic Strengths: Wisdom

• Erikson felt that much of life is preparing for the middle adulthood stage and the last stage is recovering from it. Perhaps that is because most of our achievements occur in middle adulthood and this is the stage at which we are busiest.

• In late adulthood we can look back on our lives with happiness and contentment, feeling fulfilled with a deep sense that life has meaning and we've made a difference. Erikson calls this integrity.

• Our strength comes from a wisdom and experience gained throughout the other stages of life. We must also learn to accept death as the completion of life.

• On the other hand, some adults may reach this stage and despair at their experiences and perceived failures. Many fear death as they struggle to find a purpose to their lives.

• The significant relationship is with the world.

Pros and Cons of The theory of Psychological

Development• Stage 1 – Pros: Parents demonstrate love and care for their children as they learn to

raise their child. This enables them to gain more responsibility and skills that they use in everyday life.

Cons: Parents may feel overwhelmed with the responsibilities associated with having a child, and as a result they may fell frustrated and useless.

• Stage 2 - Pros: Children begin to do things for themselves, such as walk and talk and learn right from wrong.

Cons: Children usually chose not to listen or do what they are told. They like to disagree and complain until they get what they want, especially at 2-3 year olds.

• Stage 3 - Pros: Kids become less reliant on their parents and begin to take initiative. At this time they are starting to become a little more responsible and more respectful.

Cons: Parents may struggle with their parental role as the child gains confidence and attitude.

• Stage 4 - Pros: Kids are becoming more responsible and start to learn more life skills because of school. They may develop skills of how to take care of themselves so they can stay home alone, for example.

Cons: Kids develop an “I know best” attitude, which is very frustrating for parents and siblings.

Pros and Cons of The theory of Psychological

Development• Stage 5 – Pros: At this stage the kids are no longer called kids. The become

independent and begin to get jobs and earn their own incomes.

Cons: Adolescence may struggle with social interactions during this time, and have trouble dealing with important decisions and choices that need to be made.

• Stage 6 - Pros: They begin to seek companions and branch out, becoming independent to find love and further their intellectual aspirations.

Cons: If they are not successful in finding a companion, struggles and isolation may occur.

• Stage 7 - Pros: Transmit the value of culture as well as valuable life experiences through their family.

Cons: As changes in the family, such as a child moving out, occur stress builds and mid life crisis occur.

• Stage 8 - Pros: A time to look back on their lives with happiness and fulfil the other other experiences.

Cons: Many people fear death and struggle to find a purpose in their life. Often resulting in self opinions of failure.

Value of Psychological development

• Erik Erickson's theory of psychological development allows us to:

– Identify the stages that we develop in an intellectual and maturity sense

– Categorize stages of life based on age.

The theory also demonstrates the fundamental conflicts that are faced in each stage of life.

• The theory of psychological development is used to explain why individuals who have been wronged in the healthy resolution of their early stages, had problems with various issues that escalated to their adulthood. (Such as poor self confidence, shyness). (http://openlearn.open.ac.uk/blog/index.php?postid=1308)

Visual Representation of Erickson’s stages

and the Challenges of each stage

Graphic Organizer

Infancy --------Early Childhood

Play Age ------- School Age

Adolescence ------ Young Adulthood

Middle Adulthood ------ Late Adulthood

Bibliography• Google Images

• http://web.cortland.edu/andersmd/ERIK/sum.HTML

• http://www.learningplaceonline.com/stages/organize/Erikson.htm

• http://openlearn.open.ac.uk/blog/index.php?postid=1308