4. Erikson’s Stages of Psychosocial Development

Question 1

Erikson’s Psychosocial Theory

Answer 1

Erikson believed that we construct Psychosocial identifies throughout our whole life, meaning an inter play between our inner emotional lives and our outer social circumstances. Erikson broke this down into 8 stages, each stage is defined between a specific conflict with two opposing impulses or behaviors and the resolution or inability to resolve affects our personalities and identities.

Question 2

The 8 Stages of Psychosocial Theory

Answer 2

1. oral sensory
2. muscular anal
3. locomotor
4. latency
5. adolescence
6. young adulthood
7. middle adulthood
8. late adulthood

Question 3

oral sensory

Answer 3

• first year of life
• a conflict between trust and mistrust
• infants learn to trust their parents (caregivers) if they are reliable
• and learn to mistrust if they are neglected or abused*

Question 4

Muscular anal

Answer 4

• age 1-3
• conflict between autonomy and shame and doubt
• parents who allow toddles to explore their surroundings and explore interest of their own helps to foster a sense of autonomy
• parents who are too restrictive or cautious can lead children to doubt their abilities

Question 5

Locomotor

Answer 5

• age 3-6
• a conflict between initiative and guilt
• children should be encouraged to make independent decisions
• children who are not or are dismissed when they try can feel guilt and shame about their desire for independence

Question 6

Latency

Answer 6

• age 6-12
• a conflict between industry and inferiority
• children encouraged to learn new things will develop industry or motivations and start anting to be productive and not just play
• children who are not encouraged may feel inferior and unmotivated

Question 7

Adolescence

Answer 7

• age 12
• primary concern with finding identity
• if they are unable to commit to an identity or regret the one they choose they may experience role confusion or identity crisis
• can last in to the 20s and is coming of age

Question 8

Young adulthood

Answer 8

• a struggle between intimacy and isolation
• adults have formed their identities and start to look for close relationships
• if they cannot find them or keep them they may feel isolated

Question 9

Middle adulthood

Answer 9

• age 40-55
• a struggle between generatively versus stagnation
• adults start to wonder if they have done enough and produced things of value
• if they feel they haven’t they may feel stagnate

Question 10

Late Adulthood

Answer 10

• over 65
• ego integrity and despair
• late adults look back on their life and feel content if they have been productive and happy
• if they feel they haven’t they may feel despair

Question 11

Critisism of Psychosocial Theory

Answer 11

Some criticize his theory for being too broad and vague and all encompassing

Question 12

Contributions of Psychosocial Theory

Answer 12

contributed a fluid theory of identity that can change over our lifespan.