Psychosocial Development Flashcards
What is Erik Erikson’s Theory of Psychosocial Development?
*defined by an unique challenge for the individual overcomes as part of their development
*In Erik Erikson’s psychosocial theory, development consists of 8 stages
*He believed that you can progress to the next stage even if you did not overcome the challenge of the previous stage. However, the challenge of the specific previous stage will most likely continue to influence you in the stages to come.
stage 1
*The first stage of Erikson’s theory of psychosocial development occurs between birth and two years of age and is the most fundamental stage in life
*The challenge during this stage is to develop a sense of the world as a good and a safe place.
*An infant is utterly dependent and as result the development of trust in the world is based on the dependability and quality of the child’s care as received from caregivers.
*The infant is completely dependent upon adult caregivers for everything they need to survive including food, love, warmth, safety, and nurturing. If the infant’s needs are met in a consistent, predictable manner with affection and care, they will successfully develop trust, and feel safe and secure in the world
*If a caregiver fails to provide adequate care and love, the child will come to feel that they cannot trust or depend upon the adults in their life and as result they will develop a sense of mistrust in the world as a safe and secure place. Caregivers who are inconsistent, emotionally unavailable, or rejecting contribute to feelings of mistrust in the children under their care. Failure to develop trust will result in fear and a belief that the world is inconsistent and unpredictable. No child is going to develop a sense of 100% trust or 100% doubt. Erikson believed that successful development was all about striking a balance between the two opposing sides.
Stage 2
*The second stage of Erikson’s theory of psychosocial development occurs between two to three years of age
*The challenge during this stage is to realize that you are an independent person who can make decisions. Thus, the child develops a greater sense of personal control
*They are starting to perform basic actions on their own and making simple decisions about what they prefer
*By allowing kids to make choices and gain control, parents and caregivers can help children develop a sense of autonomy
*Success over bodily functions and taking control of simple choices leads to a sense of personal power, feelings of autonomy, increased independence, and a greater sense of being able to survive in the world. As result, toilet training is seen as an important aspect of this stage of Erikson’s theory as the child gets the opportunity to achieve autonomy, mastery and success over bodily functions
*Success during this stage of psychosocial development leads to feelings of autonomy; failure results in feelings of shame and self-doubt.
*If a child finds toilet training difficult and is shamed for their accidents
*failure results in feelings of shame and self-doubt.
Stage 3
*The third stage of Erikson’s theory of psychosocial development occurs between three to six years of age (the preschool years).
*The challenge during this stage is to develop a willingness to learn new things and to handle disappointment
*During this stage children typically engage in play and learn how to assert themselves during play and social interactions. When children experience success in their social interactions with others, they feel capable, secure and able to use own initiative
*However, if children are restricted during this stage by parental control or if they experience criticism during this stage (e.g. “being too assertive”/or if they exercise too much control and are met with disapproval), they might develop a sense of guilt, experience self-doubt, and demonstrate a lack of initiative.
Stage 4
*The fourth stage of psychosocial development takes place from about six years of age until adolescence
*The challenge during this stage is to develop basic skills in order to work along with others. During this stage, social and academic demands become increasingly more.
*Teachers and peer groups also start to play an essential role in the growth of an individual and the development of a sense of competence in getting along with others
*During this stage, the development of a person’s self-esteem, and feelings of pride arise based on the approval of others as they successfully perform or complete tasks and engage with others.
*However, failure in a child’s ability to cope with new social and academic demands, results in feelings of inferiority.
Thus, children who receive positive feedback from parents, teachers and peers develop a feeling of competence and belief in their skills. Those who receive little or no encouragement from parents, teachers, or peers will likely doubt their abilities to be successful and develop feelings of inferiority.
Stage 5
*The fifth stage of psychosocial development takes place during adolescence.
*The challenge during this stage is to develop a sense of self/one’s own identity.
*Although Erikson viewed each stage as an important stage, he placed particular value on the importance of developing once’s personal identity as our identity continues to influence our behaviour and development for the rest of a person’s life.
*A person’s identity is all the beliefs, ideals, and values that help shape and guide a person’s behaviour and is shaped by our experiences and interactions with others. *When a person develops a sense of self and personal identity, they most likely develop the ability to stay true to themselves as our identity guides our actions.
*However, failure in developing a sense of self and personal identity leads to role confusion and a weak sense of self.
*During adolescence, children explore their independence and develop a sense of self. *Those who receive proper encouragement and reinforcement through personal exploration and reflection will emerge from this stage with a strong sense of self and feelings of independence and control.
*Those who remain unsure of their beliefs and desires will feel insecure and confused about themselves and the future.
Stage 6
The sixth stage of psychosocial development takes place during early adulthood and takes place between the ages of 18 and 40. *The challenge during this stage is to be able to bind yourself to another person in a loving relationship.
*According to Erikson, it is vital that young adults develop close, committed relationships with other people. *During this time, young adults attempt to form longer term commitments outside of their family, with varying degrees of success. Positive outcomes result in healthy, happy relationships that are secure and enduring. According to Erikson, the ability to love and having meaningful and lasting relationships, marks the ultimate success of stage six. Failure during this stage - whether beyond or within a person’s control – to form appropriate bonds; or the avoidance of intimacy may result in loneliness, a sense of isolation, and depression. This stage builds upon the success or failure of stage five as a strong sense of personal identity is crucial to developing relationships that are intimate and strong
stage7
The seventh stage of psychosocial development takes place during middle adulthood and takes place between the ages of 40 and 65. The challenge during this stage is to develop a sense of longevity. According to Erikson, adults need to create or nurture things that will outlast them, often by having children or creating a positive change that benefits other people. During middle adulthood, individuals continute to build their lives as they focus on their family and careers. Those who experience success during this stage experience feelings of usefulness and accomplishment, and will likely feel that they are contributing to the world by being active in their home and communities. Those who experience failure during this stage will likely experience feelings of stagnation, unproductiveness, disconnection from the world, and shallow involvement in the world.
stage 8
*The last stage of psychosocial development takes place during late adulthood and takes place from the age of 65 until death.
* The challenge during this stage is to reflect on your life and be satisfied with your life and to view your life as worthwhile.
* In other words, during late adulthood, people look back on the events of their lives and determine if they are happy with the life that they lived or if they regret the things they did or didn’t do.
* In order to experience success during this stage, older adults need to look back on life and feel a sense of fulfillment. As older adults reflect on the events of their lives and take stock, they determine if they experience satisfaction and if they are ready to face the end of their lives with a sense of peace.
* Success at this stage leads to feelings of wisdom and satisfaction.
* Failure happens when older adults reflect on their lives and experience regret, resulting in feelings of bitterness and fear that their lives will end without accomplishing the things they feel they should have; and despair.
stage 1
Trust and Mistrust
stage 2
autonomy vs shame and doupts
stage 3
Initiative and Guilt
stage 4
industry and inferiority
stage 5
Identity vs confusion
stage 6
Intimacy vs Isolation
