Erikson's Stages of Development: What Parents Should Know
Erik Erikson's eight-stage theory of psychosocial development explains how individuals evolve from infancy to adulthood through a series of psychosocial conflicts or crises. In this blog, we will discuss the different stages of Erikson's theory and what parents should know about them.
Introduction to Erikson's Stages of Development
- Erikson's theory of psychosocial development emphasizes the importance of a person's interactions with others throughout their lifetime.
- His model of eight distinct stages of psychosocial development spans from infancy to maturity.
- Successful conflict resolution leads to the development of character strengths (essential virtues) that can be applied to predicting future conflicts and reducing future risks.
Erikson's Eight Psychosocial Developmental Stages
| Stage | Age Range | Primary Virtue | Expected Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Birth-18 months | Hope | Sense of security and trust in others |
| 2 | 18 months-3 years | Will | Independence and confidence |
| 3 | 3-5 years | Purpose | Ability to play and socialize in groups |
| 4 | 5-12 years | Competence | Development of self-esteem and peer group importance |
| 5 | 12-18 years | Fidelity | Development of a sense of identity and lasting relationships |
| 6 | 18-40 years | Love | Ability to establish and maintain intimate relationships |
| 7 | 40-65 years | Care | Establish and guide the next generation and contribute to society |
| 8 | 65 and older | Wisdom | Acceptance, inner peace, and desire to share wisdom and leave a legacy |
Stage 1: Trust Vs. Mistrust In Infancy
- Age Range - Birth until 18 months of age.
- Primary Virtue - With dependable and consistent care, infants learn to trust and the essential virtue of hope.
- Expected result - Later in life, this belief is carried into interactions with others, providing a sense of security in the face of threats.
Childhood Stage 2: Autonomy Vs. Shame And Doubt
- Age Range - between 18 months and three years.
- Primary Virtue - Completing this stage will result in the growth of the virtue of will.
- Expected result - Children become more independent, confident, and sure of their ability to get around.
Childhood Stage 3: Initiative Vs. Guilt
- Age Range - 3-to-5-year-olds.
- Primary Virtue - When children are allowed to balance their initiative with a willingness to collaborate with others, the virtue of purpose arises.
- Expected result - Children can play in groups, socialize, invent games, and adhere to the rules of play.
4th Stage Early School Years: Industry (Excellence) Vs. Inferiority
- Age Range - 5-to-12 years old.
- Primary Virtue - Children develop the virtue of competence, which is reflected in their confidence in their capacity to undertake challenging activities.
- Expected result - Peer groups assume a higher role, and their competency will aid in the development of self-esteem.
Adolescence's 5th Stage: Identity Vs. Role Confusion
- Age Range - 12-to-18 years old.
- Primary Virtue - Successfully resolving this stage results in the development of the virtue of fidelity, which is reflected in the capacity to form close, lasting relationships with others.
- Expected result - Adolescents develop a sense of identity by exploring different roles and selecting those that best represent their values and desires.
Young Adulthood's 6th Stage: Intimacy Vs. Isolation
- Age Range - 18-to-40 years old.
- Primary Virtue - The development of the virtue of love arises from the successful resolution of this stage, which is reflected in the capacity to establish and maintain intimate relationships.
- Expected result - Young adults seek to form lasting intimate relationships and to establish a family.
Middle Adulthood's 7th Stage: Generativity Vs. Stagnation
- Age Range - 40-to-65 years old.
- Primary Virtue - Successfully resolving this stage leads to the development of the virtue of care, which is reflected in the capacity to establish and maintain generative and productive relationships.
- Expected result - Middle-aged adults seek to establish and guide the next generation and to contribute to society.
Late Adulthood's 8th Stage: Integrity Vs. Despair
- Age Range - 65 and older.
- Primary Virtue - The successful resolution of this conflict results in the development of wisdom, which is linked to a sense of fulfillment, acceptance, and inner peace. Individuals who can find meaning in their lives and make peace with their mortality have a sense of integrity.
- Expected result - In this stage, individuals come to terms with their life's journey and are content with their accomplishments. They also have a desire to share their wisdom with others and leave behind a legacy.
Conclusion
Erikson's theory provides a valuable framework for understanding the various stages of human development. It is important to recognize that each stage builds upon the previous one and that the resolution of conflicts in one stage has a significant impact on the next stage's success.
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