Erikson Psychosocial Stages Flashcards
Trust vs. Mistrust
Age: Birth- 2 yrs (infant)
Virtue: Hope
Babies develop a sense of trust and mistrust. Trust developed by having their basic needs met (nourishment, warmth, cleanliness, and physical contact). Mistrust develops when primary care of infant is inconsistent and unreliable causing lack of confidence in others (insecurities/anxiety). Trust= tend to form more stable and secure relationships.
Stage affects the quality of future relationships.
Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt
Age: 1.5-3 yrs (toddler)
Virtue: Will
Children start learning how to be self-sufficient/independent (toileting, feeding, walking, talking, clothing). Critical to allow children to explore their abilities in encouraging environment (let them fail too). If children in this stage are encouraged and supported in their increased independence, they become more confident and secure in their ability to survive. If not, they may be over-dependent upon others and feel a sense of shame/doubt in their abilities.
Initiative vs. Guilt
Age: 3-6 yrs (preschool)
Virtue: Purpose
Children start to assert themselves more and may sometimes overstep the limits set by parents. Also regularly playing with other children (start developing interpersonal skills). Child begins to assert control/power over their environment by planning activities, accomplishing tasks, and facing challenges. Success at this stage leads to a sense of purpose. If initiative is dismissed/discouraged through criticism/ control then children develop sense of guilt.
Industry vs. Inferiority
Age: 7-11 yrs (middle childhood)
Virtue: Competence
Learn to read, write, math; teachers become an important role; child’s peer group will gain greater significance and will become major source of child’s self-esteem; child now feels the need to win approval by demonstrating specific competencies that are valued by society; success leads to a sense of competence, while failure results in feelings of inferiority
Identity vs. Role Confusion
Age: 12-18 yrs (adolescence)
Virtue: Fidelity
Teenagers explore who they are as individuals and seek to establish a sense of self, and may experiment with different roles, activities, and behaviors; start to become more independent; this important to form a strong identity and develop a sense of direction in life; failure to establish a sense of identity can lead to role confusion about place in society
Intimacy vs. Isolation
Age: 18-40 (adulthood)
Virtue: Love
Major conflict centers on forming intimate, loving relationships with other people. Success leads to strong relationships, while failure results in loneliness and isolation.
Generativity vs. Stagnation
Age:40-65 (middle age)
Virtue: Care
Contribute to the next generation by nurturing and performing meaningful work, creative activities, and/or raising a family; failing to achieve these objectives will lead to stagnation
Integrity vs. Despair
Age: 65-death (late adulthood)
Virtue: Wisdom
Slow down productivity and explore life as a retired person; also contemplate their lives to determine whether their life was meaningful or despairing at goals never reached; success at this stage leads to wisdom where the individual has a sense of closure and accepts death without fear
