Erikson's Stages Theory of Identity

Question 1

What are the two possible personality outcomes

Answer 1

A positive outcome (adaptive) or negative outcome (maladaptive)

Question 2

Describe stage 1

Answer 2

0-18 months
Basic trust v mistrust
We learn to trust our caregivers through attention and affection that will leave an impression of a trustworthy world
Feeding is important for developing trust
If successful person will develop HOPE as a virtue

Question 3

Describe stage 2

Answer 3

18 months to 3 years
Autonomy v shame/doubt
Infants discover their own bodies and how to control them
If successful in doing things for themselves infants will develop self confidence and self control
Important event is toilet training
If successful in this stage person will develop WILL POWER as a virtue

Question 4

Describe stage 3

Answer 4

4-5 years of age
Initiative v guilt
Infants explore beyond themselves (in a social setting and play)
If criticised - guilt
If successful will develop PURPOSE as a virtue

Question 5

Describe stage 4

Answer 5

6-11 years of age
Industry v inferiority
children develop skills in social and academic areas
if successful will develop COMPETENCE as a virtue

Question 6

Describe stage 5

Answer 6

12-15 years of age
identity v role confusion
challenge to establish personal identity
if fail - ego diffusion (not knowing what to do)
if successful develop FIDELITY as a virtue

Question 7

Describe stage 6

Answer 7

19-40 years
intimacy v isolation
challenge is to achieve intimacy in relationships
ability to share with another without losing identity
If successful will develop LOVE as a virtue

Question 8

Describe stage 7

Answer 8

40-65 years
Generativity v stagnation
generativity refers to “concern in establishing and guiding the next generation”
parenting is important but not required
caring only for oneself leads to self-centredness and stagnation
if successful develop CARE as a virtue

Question 9

Describe stage 8

Answer 9

65 years +
ego integrity v despair
looking back over life, giving feelings of satisfaction and meaningfulness or frustration and regret - depending on resolution of previous stages
if ones life seems to have lost chances or misdirected energies, then feeling of despair
if successful will develop WISDOM as a virtue

Question 10

Evaluate Erikson’s stages

Answer 10

Focuses on the social aspect (external influences) over biology
(Marcia 1980) found evidence for increasing identity formation later in life (evidence against stage 5 age range)
Most families form families before 40’s/50’s so generativity must be a conflict sooner

Question 11

Key Points

Answer 11

-Concerned with Identity formation: the development of our long-lasting personality characteristics
-Describes conflicts/crises as a normal part of development that must be overcome
-Psychosocial crises: the developmental crisis through which an individual must pass in adjusting to society