development part 1
TRANSCRIPT
Development Intro +Erikson
Developmental Psychology:The branch of psychology that studies the patterns of growth and change that occur throughout life.
Cross-Sectional ResearchA frequently used method to study development is
cross-sectional research: comparing people of different ages at the same point in their lives. This is done in
order to discover differences between age groups and similarities within the same age group.
Researchers compare groups of 5
year olds, 15 year olds, 25 year olds
(and so on) in order to identify how they are similar at certain times in their lives.
Longitudinal ResearchAnother method of studying development is longitudinal
research: studying the behavior and changes of an individual as they age.
Individuals are studied many
times throughout their lives at
benchmark ages. Researchers note
differences in behavior as the participants get
older.
We study human development in order to
answer the question: “How did I become ME?”
Erikson’s Theory of Psychosocial Development
Erik Erikson (1902-1994) was a German/American psychologist
who was famous for his developmental theory and for
coining the phrase “identity crisis.”
His theory sought to explain human development by
categorizing our behaviors and major changes into 8 stages. In each stage, there is a crisis, or challenge that humans must
overcome.
Stage 1: Trust vs. MistrustAge: 0-18 months.
Crisis: Infants develop feelings of trust, or a lack of trust. If adults meet the needs of the baby (nourishment, attachment, attention), the baby develops trust. If adults are inconsistent providers or the baby
experiences unpleasant interactions, it develops mistrust.
Stage 2: Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt
Age: 18 months - 3 years.Crisis: Toddlers develop independence and autonomy if exploration
and freedom are encouraged, or shame and self-doubt if they are overprotected and freedom is too restricted. Parents must provide the right amount of control: if they provide too much, children can’t learn to assert themselves and develop their own sense of control over the environment. If parents do not provide enough control,
children become demanding, spoiled, or controlling.
Stage 3: Initiative vs. GuiltAge: 3-6 years.
Crisis: Children experience conflict between making independent actions, and the negative consequences that sometimes result from
those actions. Children begin to learn that they are independent individuals who control their own behavioral choices. If parents
respond well when their children make mistakes, it helps resolve the experience of guilt the children will be facing.
Stage 4: Industry vs. InferiorityAge: 6-12 years.
Crisis: Older children may develop positive social interactions with others, or may feel inadequate and become less social. In this stage,
children become more competent in all areas from social interactions to academic skills. Experiencing difficulty in this process leads to
feelings of failure.
Stage 5: Identity vs. Role Confusion
Age: 12-20 years (adolescence).Crisis: Teenagers develop awareness of self (who they are and what their purpose is) and knowledge of their role in the world, or, they
feel “lost” and unsure of who they are. In this stage, reliance on adults becomes increasingly less.
Stage 6: Intimacy vs. IsolationAge: 21-35 years (Early Adulthood).
Crisis: Young adults focus on forming close relationships with others. Difficulties during this stage result in feelings of loneliness and even fear of relationships themselves. Successful resolution of this crisis results in formation of relationships that are intimate on a physical,
intellectual, and emotional level.
Stage 7: Generativity vs. Stagnation
Age: 35-60 years (Middle Adulthood).Crisis: Generativity means the ability to contribute to one’s family,
community, work, and society in a positive way, and to assist the younger generation. Success in this stage results in feelings of self-worth and connectedness with the world. Difficulties in this stage result in feeling insignificant, and the feeling that your activities are
trivial, stagnant, or not helping future generations.
Stage 8: Integrity vs. DespairAge: 60+ years (Late Adulthood).
Crisis: In late adulthood, we review life’s accomplishments and failures. Either we form a sense of satisfaction and unity, or we form a sense of regret over opportunities that we lost and things we never
got the chance to do. Adults continue to work of forming a feeling of peace with their lives until death.
Stages: Summary
Overcoming the obstacles
presented in each stage leads
to positive developmental
outcomes. Failure to overcome
difficulties can lead to
unfavorable developmental
outcomes.