Erik Erikson Flashcards
What is the approach of Erik Erikson called?
The life-span approach (focuses on the development of the personality over the entire course of life)
Erik Erikson trained in psychoanalysis. Who was he analysed by?
Anna Freud
How many psychosocial stages did Erikson distinguish between?
Eight.
What are the first four stages similar to?
Freud’s oral, anal, phallic, latency stages
When does personality develop according to Erikson?
In the 8 stages throughout the whole life span.
What does every single psychosocial stage of Erikson include?
Personal conflict (maladaptive, negative aspect or an adaptive, positive aspect)
What is the conflict in the first stage (0-1,5 years)? Characteristics?
Basic trust vs Basic mistrust. The baby’s interaction with the mother determines the attitude. If the mother is attentive and takes care of baby, it will develop trust. If the mother is inattentive, rejecting, the baby will become suspicious and fearful and develop mistrust.
What is the second stage of psychosocial development called? (1,5-3) Characteristics.
Autonomy vs Doubt and shame. Babies learn to communicate and walk. They are for the first time able to have some degree of freedom. Will society, in the form of parents, allow them to express themselves and do what they’re capable of?
What does the Autonomy vs Doubt and shame stage correspond to in Freud’s theory?
Anal stage.
What is the third stage of psychosocial development called (3-5 years)? Characteristics.
Initiative vs Guilt. Similar to Freud’s phallic stage. They express a strong desire to take initiative (fantasies, desire to possess the opposite sex parent). Understanding from parents leads to awareness of what is permissible. If they punish the child and inhibit initiative, the child will develop guilt. May become passive in life.
What is the 4th stage of psychosocial development (6-11 years)? Characteristics.
Industriousness vs Inferiority. Freud latency period. The child is exposed to new social influences. The child learns good work and study habits and attains praise, obtaining satisfaction from the successful completion of a task. Behavior of parents and teachers is important. Scolded, ridiculed, rejected - inferiority. Praise and reinforcement - industriousness.
What is the 5th stage of psychosocial development (12-18 years)? Characteristics.
Identity cohesion versus Role confusion. Meeting and resolving the crisis of our ego identity. Form our self-image, integrate ideas about ourselves. Experimenting with roles. Hiatus between childhood and adulthood, has time to lay different roles. Good identity cohesion - certainty and confidence, role confusion - identity crisis
What is the 6th stage of psychosocial development? (18-35 years) Characteristics.
Intimacy vs Isolation. We establish independence from parents and quasi-parental institutions, begin to function as mature adults. Intimacy, not restricted to sexual relationship but also feelings of caring and commitment. People who are unable to establish intimacy will develop feelings of isolation. Avoid social contacts and reject other people. Prefer to be alone. The strength that emerges from intimacy is love.
What is the 7th stage psychosocial development (35-55 years)? Characteristics.
Generativity vs Stagnation. Stage of maturity in which we need to be involved in teaching and guiding the next generation. When people cannot find an outlet for generativity they become stagnated, bored, interpersonally impoverished. They may regress to a stage of pseudointimacy, indulging themselves in childlike ways. Care is the basic strength that emerges from generativity.
What is the last stage of psychosocial development? (55-….) Characteristics.
Ego identity vs Despair. Our major endeavours are at or nearing completion. We reflect on life. Fulfillment and satisfaction - ego integrity. Regret and frustration - despair. Must not only reflect but remain active. Basic strength - wisdom.
