Erik Erikson’s Psycho-Social

Theory of Development

Objectives:

• Describe the eight (8) stages of Erikson’s Theory of Development,

• differentiate the psychosocial crisis in different life stages and;

• value the importance of the virtue and maladaptation/malignancy in every stages of Psycho-social development.

Life StagesPsychosocial CrisisRelationships/IssuesBasic VirtueMaladaoptation/Malignancy

Stage 1. Infancy (birth to 18 months)

Stage 1. Infancy (birth to 18 months)

Psychosocial Crisis: Trust Vs. Mistrust

Relationships: MotherIssues: feeding and being comforted, teething, sleepingBasic Virtue: Hope and DriveMaladaptation: Sensory maladjustment Malignancy: withdrawal

Psychosocial Crisis: Trust Vs. Mistrust

Relationships: MotherIssues: feeding and being comforted, teething, sleepingBasic Virtue: Hope and DriveMaladaptation: Sensory maladjustment Malignancy: withdrawal

Stage 2. Early Chilhood (toddler)

18 months to 3 years

Psychosocial Crisis: Autonomy vs.

Shame and DoubtRelationships: Parents

Issues: bodily functions, toilet training, muscular control, walking, toilet training

Basic Virtue: Willpower and Self-Control

Maladaptation: ImpulsivityMalignancy: Compulsion

Stage 3. PreschoolStage 3. Preschool3 to 6 years

Psychosocial Crisis: Initiative vs. Guilt

Relationships: family

Issues: exploration and discovery, adventure and play

Basic Virtue: Purpose and Direction

Maladaptation: RuthlessnessMalignancy: Inhibition

School AgeSchool Age(6 to 11 years)

(6 to 11 years)

Psychosocial Crisis: Industry vs.

InferiorityRelationships: school, teachers, friends, neighbourhood

Issues: achievement and accomplishment Basic Virtue: Competence and

Method Maladaptation: Narrow Virtuosity Malignancy: Inertia

 Stage 5.

Adolescence (12 to 18 years)

Psychosocial Crisis: Identity vs. Role

ConfusionRelationships: peers, groups, influences Issues: resolving identity and direction, becoming a grown-up Basic Virtue: Fidelity and Devotion Maladaptation: Fanaticism Malignancy: Repudiation

Stage 6. Young Adulthood(19 to 40

years)

Psychosocial Crisis: Intimacy vs.

IsolationRelationships: lovers, friends, work connections Issues: intimate relationships, work and social lifeBasic Virtue: Love and

Affiliation Maladaptation: Promiscuity Malignancy: Exclusivity

Stage 7. Middle Adulthood(40 to 65 years)

Psychosocial Crisis: Generativity vs.

StagnationRelationships: children, community Issues: 'giving back', helping, contributing Basic Virtue: Care and Production Maladaptation: Overextension Malignancy: Rejectivity

Stage 8. Maturity

(65 to death)

Relationships: society, the world

Issues: meaning and purpose, life achievements

Basic Virtue: Wisdom and

RenunciationMaladaptation: PresumptionMalignancy: Disdain

Psychosocial Crisis: Ego Integrity

vs. Despair

The End