1. I CAN:
Determine which of Erikson’s stages a person is in based on description of their primary challenge

2. Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007
Eric Erikson
His theory of the eight psychosocial stages of development profoundly shaped the field of child development
Although highly original, Erikson’s work shows heavy influences from the work of Sigmund and Anna Freud, as well as from the field of cultural anthropology.
Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007

3. Erikson’s Psychosocial Stages
Age/Period
Principal Challenge
0 to 1 1/2 years
Trust vs. mistrust
1 1/2 to 3 years
Autonomy vs. self doubt
3 to 6 years
Initiative vs. guilt
6 years to puberty
Confidence vs. inferiority
Adolescence
Identity vs. role confusion
Early adulthood
Intimacy vs. isolation
Middle adulthood
Generativity vs. stagnation
Late adulthood
Ego-integrity vs. despair
Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007 33

4. Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007
Stage 1: Oral-Sensory
Age: Infancy
Birth to 1 year
Conflict:
Trust vs. Mistrust
Important Event: Feeding
Infant will develop a sense of trust only if the parent is responsive and consistent with the basic needs being meet.
Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007

5. Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007
Stage 2: Muscular-Anal
Age: Toddler
Conflict:
Autonomy vs. Doubt
Important Event:
Toilet Training
Children can do more on their own. They also begin to feed and dress themselves.
The child must take more responsibility for his or her own feeding, toileting, and dressing.
Parents must be reassuring yet avoid overprotection.
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Stage 3: Locomotor
Age: Early Childhood
Conflict:
Initiative vs. Guilt
Important Event:
Independence
The child continues to be assertive and to take the initiative.
Playing and hero worshipping are an important form of initiative for children.
Children in this stage are eager for responsibility
If the child is not given a chance to be responsible and do things on their own, a sense of guilt may develop
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Stage 4: Latency
Age: years
Conflict:
Industry vs. Inferiority
Important Event:
School
The child's relationship with peers in school and the neighborhood become increasingly important.
Difficulty with the child's ability to move between the world at home and the world of peers can lead to feeling of inferiority.
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8. Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007
Stage 5: Adolescence
Age: Adolescence – 12-18
Conflict:
Identity vs. Role Confusion
Important Event:
Peer relationships
Adolescents are in search of an identity that will lead them to adulthood.
Adolescents make a strong effort to answer the question "Who am I?" IDENTITY CRISIS
See themselves as separate from their parents.
Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007

9. Stage 6: Young Adulthood
Age: Early Adulthood
Conflict:
Intimacy vs. Isolation
Important Event: Relationships
The young adult must develop intimate relationships with others.
Not resolving this conflict leaves the young adult feeling isolated.
Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007

10. Stage 7: Middle Adulthood
Conflict:
Generativity vs. Stagnation
Important Event:
Parenting
Generativity: A concern for people besides self and family
Each adult must have some way to nurutre and support the next generation
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11. Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007
Stage 8: Maturity
Age: Late Adulthood
65 years to death Conflict:
Integrity vs. Despair
Important Event:
Reflection on and acceptance of one's life
Accepting responsibility for your life and being able to undo the past and achieve satisfaction with self is essential.
The inability to do this results in a feeling of despair.
Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007

12. CAN I?
Determine which of Erikson’s stages a person is in based on description of their primary challenge