Reickson 8 Stages

Danielle McMahon

Mr. Radke

A.P Psychology

April 29, 2005

Erickson’s Eight Stage Theory

Eric Erickson was a neo-Freudian psychoanalyst. He agreed with Freud’s theories on psychosexual stages. However unlike Freud, Erickson’s belief was that psychological development did not stop at adolescence but continued to develop over a lifetime. He emphasized the influence of parents and society, whereas Freud’s theories had revolved around the influence of one’s sexual drive in development (Boeree). Erickson presented his theory in the form of eight stages that occur in sequential order. Respectively they are:

-Trust vs. Mistrust (infancy) -Identity vs. Role Confusion (adolescence)

-Autonomy vs. Shame & Doubt (toddler) -Intimacy vs. Isolation (young adulthood)

-Initiative vs. Guilt (3-5ish) -Generativity vs. Stagnation (adulthood)

-Industry vs. Inferiority (preschooler) -Integrity vs. Despair (old age)

Each of these stages has an issue that needs to be resolved. Success at each stage depends on whether or and how the previous stages were resolved (Boeree). The first stage is Trust vs. Mistrust. It occurs in infancy, the period where we rely on others to provide for us what we cannot provide for ourselves. One is completely dependent

on others in terms of life or death. If we are adequately provided for then we develop a sense of trust in others. However if one is deprived as an infant, one develops a sense of mistrust (or dies). Failure in this stage is especially debilitating in relationships and intimacy.

The second stage is Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt. In this stage toddlers may learn to become independent. However, they should do so without feeling guilty about leaving their care givers behind (Radke). Toddlers learn “to exercise will and to do things for themselves.” If they don’t they will doubt their abilities then and later on in life.

Stage three occurs in preschoolers and is called Initiative vs. Guilt. In this stage one learns many new abilities, skills and learns to control one’s self. We should feel good about ourselves and our newfound talents. The conflict is when we feel guilty about these abilities and how they make us less dependent on our caregivers.

Stage four is Competence vs. Inferiority. In this crisis children apply themselves to learning skills and use these skills to make and do things. If they acquire these skills they feel competent and continue on to the next stage with confidence in their abilities. If they fail to acquire these skills with confidence they feel inferior (Myers).

The fifth stage is the crisis of adolescence, Identity vs. Role Confusion. This is one of the most crucial stages where one must attempt to answer the big question, “Who am I?” It is an identity crisis. It is believed by many that Erickson’s own identity crisis was his motive to a future in psychology; specifically development over the lifetime. Being born half Danish, half Jewish and being ridiculed by both sides is an identity crisis waiting to happen (Boeree). Erickson proposed that the adolescent may form many separate identities: one for home, one for friends, one for work, etc. If two of these identities collide they might lead to an uncomfortable