Erik Erikson's Stages of Development

Question 1

Erik Erikson’s Stages of Development

Answer 1

• Trust versus Mistrust (birth to 1 year)
• Autonomy versus Shame and Doubt (1 to 3 years)
• Initiative versus Guilt (3 to 6 years)
• Industry versus Inferiority (6 to 12 years)
• Identity versus Role Confusion (12 to 18 years)

Question 2

Trust versus Mistrust

Answer 2

(birth to 1 year)
-task= for the infant to recognize that there are people, generally parents, who can be trusted to take care of basic needs
-infants struggle becomes evidenced in the recognition that not everyone or every situation is “safe”
-through trust, the infant learns to have confidence in personal worth and well-being along with connectedness to others
>failure to master= a sense of hopelessness and disconnectedness
-ex of disconnect can be seen in infants with failure to thrive or with attachment disorders
-difficulty in trusting can be seen even in adults who have problems maintaining significant relationships

Question 3

Autonomy versus Shame and Doubt

Answer 3

(occurs between 1 and 3 years of age)
-task= to balance independence and self-sufficiency against the predictable sense of uncertainty and misgiving when placed in life’s situations
-is the time for the child to establish willpower, determination, and a can-do attitude about self
-example of this stage happens when the toddler wants to choose clothing and dress independently
>the struggle happens when the parents allow the child to make personal choices yet expect the choices to be socially acceptable
-at this age, the child is able to do many new things and wants to explore everything; this newfound independence is accompanied by new rules that may cause internal conflict; the child must develop personal abilities while struggling with both fears and wishes
>the child has self-doubt later in life if this stage is not successfully met

Question 4

Initiative versus Guilt

Answer 4

(occurs between 3 and 6 years of age)
-task= to develop the resourcefulness to achieve and learn new things without receiving self-reproach
-it is difficult for a young child to resolve the conflict between wanting to be independent and needing to stay attached to parents
-the child’s learning of new songs, games, or jokes are good examples of initiative
-the child feels confident to try new ideas; it is important that parents and teachers encourage this initiative to help the child develop a sense of purpose
>if initiative is discouraged or ignored, the child may feel guilt and lack of resourcefulness

Question 5

Industry versus Inferiority

Answer 5

(occurs between the ages of 6 and 12)
-the child develops a sense of confidence through mastery of tasks
-this sense of accomplishment can be counterbalanced by a sense of inadequacy or inferiority that comes from not succeeding
-the realization that the child is competent is one of the important building blocks in the development of self-esteem
-Industry is evident when the child is able to do homework independently and regulate social behavior
-performing the prescribed tasks at school or home also shows industry
>if the child cannot accomplish realistic expected tasks, the feeling of inferiority may result

Question 6

Identity versus Role Confusion

Answer 6

(occurs between the ages of 12 and 18)
-is a time of forging ahead and acquiring a clear sense of self as an individual in the face of new and at times conflicting demands or desires
-the adolescence wants to define “what to be when I grow up”
-adolescent concentrates on goals and life plans separate from those of peers and family
-at this point, the adolescent child has the ability to think about self as well as others and proceeds accordingly
>an adolescent who is unable to make decisions about possible career choices, a personal belief and value system, and sexual orientation, for example, may develop a weak sense of self and be incapable of committing to an identity; this indecision leads to role confusion