Erikson’s Stages Of Development - The Definitive Guide
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Erikson’s Stages Of Development - The Definitive Guide
This is the ultimate guide to Erikson’s Stages of Development for you and your clients. This guide will cover everything you need to do to ensure prosperity in the workplace.
So if you are looking to:
- Learn more about Erikson’s Stages of Development and its importance in the workplace.
- Master a reliable method of understanding your client's developmental needs.
- Use effective strategies which are tried and tested to improve your clients’ lives.
Then this is the guide for you. Let’s get started!
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Chapter 2
Stages of Development
Chapter 3
A Deeper Understanding of Each Stage
Chapter 4
Strengths of Erikson’s Theory
Chapter 5
Critiques of Erikson’s Theory
Chapter 6
Why is Erikson’s Theory of Development still relevant today
Chapter 1:
The Basics
Erikson’s Theory is an incredibly influential theory used as a base to provide conceptual grounding and as an analytical tool for a host of developmental questions and nuances.
Our emotional experiences can result in personality changes, this has long-term effects on the kind of success and temperament people have.
Hence, resulting in the ability of one's ability to reflect and impact those around us. Erikson’s theory highlights the handicaps that might prove to be a hindrance in self-awareness and even deliberation.
Origins & History of the Term
Danish-German-American psychologist and psychoanalyst, Erik Erikson developed and finessed the theory of psychosocial development and identity. Influenced by the works of Freud, his 1950s book “Childhood and Society” expanded on his early work and cemented his Theory of Development. A significant psychoanalytic theory in its own right.
The theory outlines 8 stages of development, from infancy to adulthood, that outline personality development in a predetermined order.
Interestingly his work was edited by his wife, Joan Erikson.
Importance of Erikson’s Theory
Erikson’s theory is viewed as extremely important in providing a holistic understanding of development. It also clearly outlines the effect social relationships have on one’s growth.
Erikson’s theory seamlessly weaves together elements of one’s life history and cultural demands to produce a sound identity. This, thus, can be applied across history, psychology, and broader society to help understand behavioral motivations and decision-making.
An example of this is when Widick, Parker, and Knefelkamp (1978) explain the use of Erikson’s theory to help educators’ understanding of college students and the effect of their environments on their development.
Human Development vs. Developmental Psychology
Human Development refers to the biological, social, and psychological development of human beings throughout their lifespan. It refers to all progress from the time of birth to death.
The scientific study of psychological human development, i.e understanding how humans learn, mature, and adapt, is known as Developmental Psychology.
Developmental psychologists work toward the research and assessment of the growth, development, and adaptation of human beings and discerning the factors that drive humans to access their highest potential.
Like Gopnik’s (2014) study of the difference between problem-solving in babies and grownups. Gopnik theorizes that babies are more interested in focusing on what is going on around them, rather than adopting a problem-solving attitude. This allows them to be more open to possibilities and hence prove to be more adaptable to solutions than adults.
Chapter 2:
Stages of Development
To understand where and why these personality changes take place, Erikson outlines 8 stages of development.
In contrast to Freud's theory of psychosexual stages, Erikson's theory described the impact of social experience throughout the lifespan.
8 Stages Of Development
Here are the 8 stages of development according to Erikson:
- Stage 1: Trust vs. Mistrust
- Stage 2: Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt
- Stage 3: Initiative vs. Guilt
- Stage 4: Industry vs. Inferiority
- Stage 5: Identity vs. Confusion
- Stage 6: Intimacy vs. Isolation
- Stage 7: Generativity vs. Stagnation
- Stage 8: Integrity vs. Despair
These stages are defined by major psychological conflicts. These conflicts are predicted to arise from molding events. The result of this incident leads to the degree of insemination of a virtue.
| Affected Ages | Psychological Conflict | Shaping Events | Virtue Outcome |
| birth to 18 months | Trust vs. Mistrust | Feeding | Hope |
| 2 to 3 years | Autonomy vs. Shame & |
