7: Erikson's Psychosocial Theory

Question 1

Erikson’s psychosocial theory is a _____ theory on _____.

Answer 1

Psychodynamic; development.

Question 2

What are Erikson’s four childhood stages (with ages)?

Answer 2

Basic trust vs. mistrust (first year).

Autonomy vs. shame & doubt (1-2 years).

Initiative vs. guilt (3-5 years).

Industry vs. inferiority (6-12 years).

Question 3

What are Erikson’s four adult stages (with ages)?

Answer 3

Identity vs. role confusion (12-20 years).

Intimacy vs. isolation (20-40 years).

Generativity vs. stagnation (40-65 years).

Integrity vs. despair (65+ years).

Question 4

All eight stages feature a psychological _____ to be resolved.

Answer 4

Crisis.

Question 5

True/false: according to Erikson’s psychosocial theory, failure to resolve a crisis results in psychological problems, but you still move on to the next stage.

Answer 5

True.

Question 6

Define the basic trust/mistrust (first year) stage. What is the related Freudian psychosexual stage and key task, central question, and associated virtue?

Answer 6

Child learns to feel comfortable and trust parents; or develops deep distrust of world perceived to be unsafe.

Psychosexual stage: Oral; key task: weaning.

Central question: How can I be secure?

Associated virtue: Hope.

Question 7

Define the autonomy vs. shame & doubt (1-2yrs) stage. What is the related Freudian psychosexual stage and key task, central question, and associated virtue?

Answer 7

Learns sense of competence by learning to feed self, use toilet, play alone; or feels ashamed and doubts own abilities.

Psychosexual stage: Anal; key task: toilet training.

Central question: How can I be independent?

Associated virtue: Will.

Question 8

Define the initiative vs. guilt (3-5yrs) stage. What is the related Freudian psychosexual stage and key task, central question, and associated virtue?

Answer 8

Gains ability to use own initiative in planning and carrying out plans; or cannot live within parents’ limits, develops sense of guilt over misbehavior.

Psychosexual stage: Phallic; key task: resolving Oedipus complex.

Central question: How can I be powerful?

Associated virtue: Purpose.

Question 9

Define the industry vs. inferiority (6-12yrs) stage. What is the related Freudian psychosexual stage and key task, central question, and associated virtue?

Answer 9

Learns to meet demands imposed by school and home responsibilities; or comes to believe they are inferior to others.

Psychosexual stage: Latency; key task: develop social relationships.

Central question: How can I be good?

Associated virtue: Competence.

Question 10

Define the identity vs. role confusion (12-20yrs) stage. What is the related Freudian psychosexual stage and key task, central question, and associated virtue?

Answer 10

Serious questioning of the self, asking “who am I?” Either achieve stable, coherent identity or remain confused about identity concerns.

Psychosexual stage: Genital; key task: developing mature sexual and social relations.

Central question: How can I be fit into adult world? Who am I?

Associated virtue: Fidelity.

Question 11

During the identity vs. role confusion stage, there are four identity statuses. Define each:

• Identity Diffusion
• Foreclosure
• Moratorium
• Identity Achievement

Answer 11

Identity Diffusion: no identity crisis yet; uncommitted to role.

Foreclosure: adopting role without going through identity crisis.

Moratorium: current identity crisis; not resolved.

Identity Achievement: gone through identity crisis; resolved successfully.

Question 12

What are the six general categories used to suggest one has reached adulthood?

Answer 12

Individualism (responsible for own actions).

Family capacities (caring for/supporting family).

Norm compliance (refrain from crime).

Biological (capable of having children).

Legal/chronological (age of majority, identification).

Role transitions (employment, finished education, getting married).

Question 13

Age 18-25 is considered the emerging adulthood stage. Erikson refers to it as what?

Answer 13

Psychosocial moratorium.

Question 14

What distinguishes the emerging adulthood stage from others?

Answer 14

Independence from social roles and normative obligations, more intense focus on the identity challenges. Time of greatest diversity and instability in most lives.

Question 15

Define the intimacy vs. isolalation (20-40yrs) stage. What is the related Freudian psychosexual stage and key task, central question, and associated virtue?

Answer 15

Develops couple relationship and joint identity w/partner; or becomes isolated from meaningful relationships.

Psychosexual stage: N/A

Central question: How can I love?

Associated virtue: Love.

Question 16

Define the generativity vs. stagnation (40-65yrs) stage. What is the related Freudian psychosexual stage and key task, central question, and associated virtue?

Answer 16

Develops concern w/helping others, leaving children and ideas to future generations; or becomes self-centered and stagnant.

Psychosexual stage: N/A

Central question: How can I fashion a “gift?”

Associated virtue: Care.

Question 17

Define the ego integrity vs. despair (65yrs+) stage. What is the related Freudian psychosexual stage and key task, central question, and associated virtue?

Answer 17

Reaps benefits of earlier stages, understands and accepts meaning of a temporary life; or despairs over ever being able to find meaning in life.

Psychosexual stage: N/A

Central question: How can I receive a “gift” (the gift of life)?

Associated virtue: Wisdom.

Question 18

Which is the least studied stage in Erikson’s model?

Answer 18

Ego integrity vs. despair.