ErikErikson

Mehek SiddiqSherese BrownTroy Holleman

Psychosocial Stages

Maladaptations

Malignancies

Virtues

EpigeneticPrinciple

Described eight stages in the life span. A ninth stage was later added to reflect his final thoughtsADD MORE TO THIS DEFINITION

PsychosocialDevelopment

these stages build on one another and occur in invariant sequence across culturesADD MORE TO THIS DEFINITION

Each stage involves a crisis, a developmental

turning point, and conflict centers on a

distinctive issue

Out of each crisis emerges an ego

strength, or “virtue,” that corresponds

specifically to that stage

The strength then becomes part of the repertoire of ego skills for the

individual throughout life

The Psychosocial Stages

Maladaptation Malignancy

Adopting the positive extreme to a extent that it causes more harm than good

Easier to change

adopting the negative extreme which is not subject to change

More difficult to change

In Erikson’s theory, one approaches old

age and begins to evaluate the life lived up to that point. Describe Erikson’s terms for these developmental stages.

Stage IInfant: 0–1 Years

Psychosocial CrisisTrust vs. Mistrust

Significant RelationsMother

Psychosocial ModalitiesTo get, to give in return

Psychosocial VirtuesHope, Faith

Maladaptations/MalignanciesSensory distortion - Withdrawal

Stage IIToddler: 2–3 Years

Psychosocial CrisisAutonomy vs. Shame & Doubt

Significant RelationsParents

Psychosocial ModalitiesTo hold on, to let go

Psychosocial VirtuesWill, Determination

Maladaptations/MalignanciesImpulsivity - Compulsion

Stage IIIPreschooler: 3–6

Psychosocial CrisisInitiative vs. Guilt

Significant RelationsFamily

Psychosocial ModalitiesTo go after, to play

Psychosocial VirtuesPurpose, Courage

Maladaptations/MalignanciesRuthlessness - Inhibition

Stage IVSchool Age: ~7–12

Psychosocial CrisisIndustry vs. Inferiority

Significant RelationsNeighborhood & School

Psychosocial ModalitiesTo complete, to make things

Psychosocial VirtuesCompetence

Maladaptations/MalignanciesNarrow virtuosity - Inertia

Stage VAdolescence: 12–18

Psychosocial CrisisEgo-identity vs. Role-confusion

Significant RelationsPeer groups, role models

Psychosocial ModalitiesTo be oneself, to share oneself

Psychosocial VirtuesFidelity, Loyalty

Maladaptations/MalignanciesFanaticism - Repudiation

Stage VIYoung Adult: ~20+

Psychosocial CrisisIntimacy vs. Isolation

Significant RelationsPartners, Friends

Psychosocial ModalitiesTo lose & find oneself in

another

Psychosocial VirtuesLove

Maladaptations/MalignanciesPromiscuity - Exclusivity

Stage VIIMiddle Adult: ~25-50

Psychosocial CrisisGenerativity vs. Self-absorption

Significant RelationsHousehold, Workmates

Psychosocial ModalitiesTo make be, to take care of

Psychosocial VirtuesCare

Maladaptations/MalignanciesOverextension - Rejectivity

Stage VIIIOld Adult: ~50+

Psychosocial CrisisIntegrity vs. Despair

Significant RelationsMankind or “My kind”

Psychosocial ModalitiesHaving been, to face not being

Psychosocial VirtuesWisdom

Maladaptations/MalignanciesPresumption - Despair

Stage IXVery Elderly: ~80+

Psychosocial CrisisNEED INFO

Significant RelationsNEED INFO

Psychosocial ModalitiesNEED INFO

Psychosocial VirtuesNEED INFO

Maladaptations/MalignanciesNEED INFO

Maladaptations

Panic of having underachieved

fear of deathlife is short

depressionPresumption

An individual who is arrogant and sees his or her life as being more meaningful than others’ and tends to

over-exhibit meaningfulness throughout life

Conceited, audacity

Malignancies

Blaming, miserable, contempt, feeling of not being fulfilled

Regret life choices

BitternessRejection of death

Unsatisfied with self and self-achievement

Distain

An individual who feels unsatisfied with his or her accomplishments, is unsure of life’s meaning, and

tends blame others for personal shortcomings

Virtues:

Peaceful

No regrets

Accepts death

Calmness

Satisfied

Wisdom

virtue attained:

WISDOM

“Informed and detached concern with life itself in the face of death itself” (1982, p. 61)

Did I live ameaningful life?

If one is successful in attaining the virtues

of the 8th and 9th stages, how might these personality characteristics be described? Use specific behaviors to exemplify.

Job decision can lead to career satisfaction

For example, Ryan a 65 year old man recently retired from a job he wasn't too satisfied with. His previous job that had better pay required much of his time, allowing him to only spend a miniscule amount of time with his family.

To Ryan, family was much more important so he decided to take a job with lesser pay so that he could give his family enough attention. Although Ryan isn’t very financially stable he is satisfied that he spent quality time with his family, and does not regret his decisions. Ryan attains, closure and feels a sense of achievement, as he is ready to confront death.

Stages 8&9 Case Study

Anne and Mike have been married for 50 years. Mike recently retired from his job, had been satisfied with his career and life choices he decided in his past. Unlike Mike, Anne is a little bitter with her past choices.

She had a career of being a defensive attorney but Mike insisted that she leaves the job and he would take care of the finances while she would become a stay-at-home mom to take care of their children and assure them of their successes.

She agreed to do so but with time, things changed as the children grew up. At this point, Anne was going through depression, as she was at a stage where she regretted her life decisions of having not attained her career.

In addition, with Mike’s passing away caused her to feel discomfort. Anna was at her lowest point after Mike’s death but her children sought to help her because they realized that she did not see life as meaningful anymore.

So they insisted that she do what she always wanted to do and that they would support her. So after 2 short months, she decided to do something that she was always passionate about which was to advocate for women’s rights.

She found meaning in her life again and more so than she had before. She also realized that everything in her life did serve a purpose and helped her to step up and achieve the one thing she was afraid of but wanted to do which was being an advocate.