Eric Erickson

• Sigmund Freud (1856-1939): Psychoanalytic view - psychosexual model

• Erik Erikson (1902-1994) : extension of Freud’s theory - Psychosocial theory

• each individual passes through 8 developmental stages – "psychosocial stages".

• Each stage is characterized by a different psychological "crisis", which must be resolved by the individual before the individual can move on to the next stage.

• If the person is not able to cope with a particular crisis, the outcome will be more struggles with that issue later in life.

Stage 1: Infancy -- Age 0 to 1

• Crisis: Trust vs. Mistrust

• Description: trust parents for the basics(providing food & care & affection.)

• Positive outcome: secure attachment (parents & environment)

• Negative outcome: mistrust people, (even self).

• Important Event: Feeding

Stage 2: Toddler -- Age 1 to 2

• Crisis: Independence vs. Doubt

• Description: Develop self-control & self-confidence (to walk, talk, use the toilet)

• Positive outcome: develop confidence to cope with future situations (that require choice & control)

• Negative outcome: doubt abilities & ashamed of self

• Important Event: Toilet training

Stage 3: Early Childhood -- Age 2 to 6

• Crisis: Initiative vs. Guilt

• Description: Find balance between eagerness & responsibility.

• Positive outcome: Certain things are not allowed, imagination is OK.

• Negative outcome: feel guilty to be independent.

• Important Event: Independence

Stage 4: Elementary and Middle School Years –

Age 6 to 12

• Crisis: Competence vs. Inferiority

• Description: School is important. Transition from the home to peers.

• Positive outcome: Intellectual stimulation

• Negative outcome: If not, they will develop a sense of inferiority.

• Important Event: School

Stage 5: Adolescence -- Age 12 to 18

• Crisis: Identity vs. Role Confusion

• Description: The "Identity Crisis", - the single most significant conflict a person must face. THE question "Who am I?"

• Positive outcome: ready to plan for the future.

• Negative outcome: unable to make decisions (about vocation, sexual orientation & life in general)

• Important Event: Peer Relationships

Stage 6: Young Adulthood -- Age 19 to 40

• Crisis: Intimacy vs. Isolation

• Description: Relationships. Must be capable of intimacy.

• Positive outcome: Share with others

• Negative outcome: fear commitment & feel isolated

• Important Event: Love Relationships

Stage 7: Middle Adulthood -- Age 40 to

65 • Crisis: Generativity vs. Stagnation

• Description: "Generativity" - (care for next generation) Adults need children as much as children need adults

• Positive outcome: helping the next generation

• Negative outcome: self-centered and experience stagnation later in life.

• Important Event: Parenting

Stage 8: Late Adulthood -- Age 65 to death

• Crisis: Integrity vs. Despair

• Description: a time for reflecting (satisfaction or disappointments)

• Positive outcome: accept death with a sense of integrity.

• Negative outcome: fear death.

• Important Event: Acceptance of life