Personality Development Erik Erikson

Erik Erikson In each stage a person faces certain conflicts and challenges. People must modify their personalities in order to adjust successfully to their social environments Begin in childhood A child’s success in the early stages depends largely on their parents An ongoing process that is never final

Trust vs. Mistrust Trust o Respond quickly o Holding o Cuddling o        Playing o        Talking to them o        Love them o        Care for them Mistrust Receive inconsistent care Receive little love and attention Fear and suspicion toward the world and everyone in it

Trust vs. Mistrust TRUST! These infants see the world as a safe place and other people as helpful and dependable

Autonomy vs, Shame 2 to 3 yrs old

Autonomy ü Develop a sense of independence ü       Developing minds of their owns ü       SAYING NO! ü       Allow children to practice new motor skills, want to do everything themselves ü       Let them practice life skills and make simple choices ü       Gives a sense that they can control their own behavior and their environment ü       Builds confidence They will look forward to meeting greater challenges

Shame ü Not allowing children to do things for themselves ü       Doubt their abilities ü       Always critizeing and scolding children for not being perfect ü       Question their worth and their abilities to control themselves and their world. View themselves and the world in shame and doubt.

Initiative vs. Guilt Four and five year olds

Initiative Often initiate activities Spend time imaging what they want to do, then think of ways to do those things. Children need to know their ideas, questions, and concepts matter to others Children need chances to create play ideas and put them into action   What parents can do to foster initiative o        Teach children to ask questions, find answers, and form concepts o        Respond positively to child’s ideas o        Offer approval and encouragement

Guilt ü Parents scold instead encourage ü       Children’s play ideas are not praised ü       Belittle and ridicule children ü       Punishing children foe acting on their ideas ü       No encouragement to think or be creative ü       Parents convey to children that their ideas are not valuable or worthwhile The child will feel less confident

Industry vs. Inferiority 6 to 11 C Children capable of deductive reasoning ü       Learn to follow rules ü       Become interested in how things are made, how they work, and what they do ü       Parents are no longer the only influence on stages; friends, teachers are also major influence School atmosphere can make a difference

Industry ü Capacity to make a productive effort. ü What parents can do o        Encourage children to do, make, or build projects o        Stress importance of seeing a task through to completion Praise and reward them for their efforts

Inferiority ü Feel incapable of succeeding in their efforts ü    Discouraged from doing and making things on their own ü       Not praised for their accomplishments, don’t feel like they can do anything right. ü       May passively accept failure or misbehave to compensate Feel less worthwhile and valuable May seek criticism for doing things wrong—at least they will get attention