ERIKSON’S EIGHT STAGES OF

PSYCHOSOCIAL DEVELOPMENT
 Background
ERIKSON’S EIGHT STAGES OF PSYCHOSOCIAL DEVELOPMENT

A MODIFICATION OF FREUD’S PSYCHOSEXUAL

THEORY
 FREUD describes human personality development as
psychosexual.
• What develops in the human person is the way in which libido
or sexual energy of the id accumulates and is discharged as
human beings mature biologically.

• Each stage of Freud’s five psychosexual stages represents a fixation of

libido on different areas of the body which, as a person grows, become
important source of tension and pleasure.
 Conclusion

Life is built around TENSION and PLEASURE and that the former is
caused by a build-up of libido while the latter results from its discharge.
 ERIKSON
Is convinced that personality develops in a series of stages-hence,

ERIKSON’S EIGHT STAGES

OF PSYCHOSOCIAL DEVELOPMENT
 ERIKSON’S EIGHT STAGES OF PSYCHOSOCIAL
DEVELOPMENT

Focus on the resolution of a specific crisis that one encounters in each

stage of its development as a person.

This conflict must be resolved for a child to develop into a healthy and
well-adjusted adult, which in turn makes her a contributing member of
society.
“EGO STRENGTH” OR “EGO QUALITY”
“EGO STRENGTH” OR “EGO
QUALITY”
If the person fails to overcome this crisis, he or she
will emerge with a sense of inadequency in that
aspect of development!

Prevents her from developing the necessary skills

needed for a strong sense of self!
Erikson expanded Freud’s psychosexual theory by highlighting the
cultural aspect of personal development.

ERIKSON PUTS MORE EMPHASIS ON THE IMPACT OF

SOCIAL EXPERIENCE ON PERSONALITY.

In Erikson’s eight stages of psychosocial development, Erikson attempts

to explain how social interactions and relationships played out in the
development of personality.
 INFANCY (FROM BIRTH- 12 MONTHS)

TRUST VS. MISTRUST

MOST fundamental stage in life.

The infant is utterly dependent on the parents,

especially the mother, for sustenance and comfort.
 Result
TRUST MISTRUST

If the parents are consistent in

If parents, are inconsistent in
providing the infant with a secure
environment including the
providing the infant with what
satisfaction of the infant’s basic she needs, a sense of MISTRUST
needs, such as food, love, and will develop on the part of the
safety, the infant develops a infant.
sense of TRUST.
 MISTRUST will lead to feelings of
frustration, withdrawal, suspicion,
and a lack of confidence.

TAKE NOTE:

It is imposible for the infant to

develop 100% TRUST.
The infant cannot avoid developing
some kind of mistrust during this stage.
 Conclusion

Erikson believes that a successful development of the

infant’s personality during this stage involves striking a
balance between TRUST and MISTRUST.
EARLY CHILHOOD ( AGES 1-3 YEARS)
AUTONOMY VS. SHAME AND DOUBT

The child begins to explore the world and learns that she can
control her actions and eventually acts on her environment to get
results.

The child begins to show strong and clear preferences over things of
interest, such as food, toys, and clothing.
 Result
AUTONOMY SHAME AND
DOUBT

If parents allow their children to make Those who do not are left with a
choices of thier own, which in turn sense of INADEQUACY, which
allows them to personal control and in turn results in a feeling of
gain independence, children will SHAME and SELF-DOUBT.
develop a sense of AUTONOMY.
PRESCHOOL (AGES 3-6 YEARS)

INITIATIVE VS. GUILT

Children are now capable of initiating activities and begin to assert

control over their environment through social interactions and play.

Children want to begin and complete their own actions for a specific
purpose.
When such initiatives DO NOT yield the desired results, children
may feel GUILT.
 Result
INITIATIVE
GUILT

sense of ambition and responsibility

If children are not successful in this
can be fulfilled when PARENTS
stage, that is, when their initiatives
allow their children to explore the are stifled by their parents, they
world on their own and then develop a sense of GUILT.
SUPPORT their choices.
SCHOOL-AGE (AGE 6-12 YEARS)

INDUSTRY VS. INFERIORITY

Through social interactions, children begin to develop a sense

of PRIDE in their abilities and accomplishments, particularly
in school works, sports, social activities, and family life.
 Result
INDUSTRY INFERIORITY

If children DON’T get the support of

If children are encouraged and
parents ad teachers in the form of
commented, they develop a encouragement and appreciation,
sense of COMPETENCE and they will DOUBT their abilities to be
BELIEF in their skills. successful.
ADOLESCENCE (AGES 12-18 YEARS)
IDENTITY VS. ROLE CONFUSION

Plays a CRUCIAL role in the development of a sense of

PERSONAL IDENTITY.
It is in this stage that the adolescents explore their
INDEPENDENCE and develop a SENSE OF SELF.
 Result
IDENTITY ROLE CONFUSION
When adolescents receive proper
Those who do NOT receive proper
ENCOURAGEMENT and
REINFORCEMENT in their personal encouragement and reinforcement will
exploration, they will emerge from this develop a WEAK sense of identity and
stage with a STRONG sense of IDENTITY experience ROLE CONFUSION ,
and are able to remain TRUE to their values confusion about themselves but also their
and beliefs when faced with problems. future.
YOUNG ADULTHOOD (20'S- EARLY 40'S)

INTIMACY VS. ISOLATION

After the person developed a sense of self in

adolescence, he or she is now ready to share his life
with others.
 Result
INTIMACY ISOLATION

Those who are SUCCESSFUL in this stage

are able to establish INTIMATE If people FAILED to establish
relationships, one that is enduring and
intimate relationships with others,
secure and which may ultimately result in
they may develop a sense of
the development of a virtue known as
“LOVE”. ISOLATION.
 MIDDLE ADULTHOOD (40'S - MID 60'S)
GENERATIVITY VS. STAGNATION
GENERATIVITY STAGNATION

When a person makes a SIGNIFICANT

contribution during this satge, for example, by Those who failed to fulfill this task
RAISING FAMILY or ENGAGING IN may experience STAGNATION and
PRODUCTIVE WORK that contributes
feel UNPRODUCTIVE and
positively to society, a sense of
GENERATIVITY or a sense of
UNINVOLVED in the world.
PRODUCTIVITY and ACCOMPLISHMENT
ensues.
MATURITY (FROM MID-60'S TO END OF LIFE)

EGO INTEGRITY VS. DESPAIR

As people get older their productivity slows down and

begin to explore life as retired individuals.
 Result
EGO INTEGRITY DESPAIR

They contemplate on their Those who failed to fulfill their task

accomplishments, and when during this stage, may feel that their
they are PROUD of them, they life has been WASTED and look back
on their life with MANY REGRETS.
feel a sense of INTEGRITY.
 References

WEBSITE:
[Link]
BOOK:
Lucas, Maria Rita, D., 2018, The Child and Adolescent Learners and
Learning Principles, LORIMAR Publishing Inc.
 Questions:
[Link] are those 8 stages of Erikson’s Theory?
[Link] are the main point of Erikson’s theory?
[Link] stage you can relate your self now? explain.
4. What realization in your life that you will get in Erikson’s Theory?
[Link] you living your real identity now, or are you just imitating others
lives?