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The first stage in Erikson's stages of Development is the most important stage. This stage is the stage infant development comfort/security in their caregiver. This stage is important because it teaches the child trust. In my infancy I tended to cry a lot, I needed my mom/dad to hold me more often than not, this built trust that I could go to them if I needed them.

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Mother Holding Baby by Ian Hooton/science Photo Library

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Mother Holding Baby Photograph by Ian Hooton/science Photo Library

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During the ages of 1.5 to 3 years old children are learning to focus on self-control and self-regulation. When a child is learning to pour or use regular cups, they feel a sense of shame when they accidently pour over or make a mess. It is our job to positively encourage them to do a better job instead of making the child feel bad.

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Erikson's theory of psychosocial development identifies 8 stages in which a healthy individual should pass through from birth to death. Each stage is crucial to our development as a whole and at each stage we encounter different needs, ask new questions and meet people who influence our behavior and learning. Erikson's theory of psychosocial development stands out among other developmental theories as he believed humans continue to develop from birth to death, and that at each stage, they can equally flourish as they can despair.

The full story

Erikson's theory of psychosocial development identifies eight stages which a healthy individual should pass through from birth to death. At each stage we encounter different needs, ask new questions and meet people who influence our behavior and learning.

Basic trust vs. mistrust

As infants, we enter the first stage that Erikson called Basic Trust vs. Mistrust. We ask ourselves if we can trust the world and we wonder if it's safe. We learn that if we can trust someone now, we can also trust others in the future. If we experience fear, we develop doubt and mistrust. The key to our development is our mother.

Autonomy vs. shame & doubt

In our early childhood, we experience ourselves and discover our body. In this second stage we learn to alter between Autonomy vs. Shame & Doubt. We ask: is it okay to be me? If we are allowed to discover ourselves, then we develop self-confidence. If we are not, we can develop shame and self-doubt. Both parents now play a major role.

Initiative vs. guilt

In the following third stage, we learn about Initiative vs. Guilt. In preschool, we take initiative, try out new things, and learn basic principles like how round things roll. We ask: Is it okay for me to do what I do? If we are encouraged, we can follow our interests. If we are held back or told that what we do is silly, we can develop guilt. We are now learning from the entire family.

Industry vs. inferiority

In the fourth stage, we explore Industry vs. Inferiority. Now we discover our own interests and realize that we are different from others. We want to show that we can do things right. We ask if we can make it in this world? If we receive recognition from our teachers or peers we become industrious, which is another word for hard-working. If we get too much negative feedback, we start to feel inferior and lose motivation. Our neighbors and schools now influence us the most.

Identity vs. role confusion

During adolescence, we enter the fifth stage in which we explore the complexity of Identity vs. Role Confusion. We learn that we have different social roles. We are friends, students, children, and citizens. Many experience an identity crisis. If our parents now allow us to go out and explore, we can find identity. If they push us to conform to their views, we can face role confusion and feel lost. Key to our learning are our peers and role models.

Intimacy vs. isolation

As young adults, now in our sixth stage, we turn our focus to understanding Intimacy vs. Isolation. We slowly understand who we are and we start to let go of the relationships we had built earlier in order to fit in. We ask ourselves if we can love. If we can make a long-term commitment, we are confident and happy. If we cannot form intimate relationships, we might end up feeling isolated and lonely. Our friends and partners are now central to our development.

Generativity vs. stagnation

When we reach our forties we become comfortable, use our leisure time creatively and maybe begin contributing to society. The seventh stage determines our Generativity vs. Stagnation. Our concern is generativity. If we think that we are able to lead the next generation into this world, we are happy. If we did not resolve some conflicts earlier, we can become pessimistic and experience stagnation. People at home and at work are now who influence us the most.

Ego integrity vs. despair

In the final, eighth stage, we face Ego Integrity vs. Despair. As we grow older we tend to slow down and begin to look back over our lives. We ask: how have I done? If we think we did well, we develop feelings of contentment and integrity. If not, we can experience despair and become grumpy and bitter. Time to compare us with mankind.

Background

Erik Erikson was a German-American psychologist who together with his wife Joan, became known for his work on psychosocial development. He was influenced by Sigmund and Anna Freud and became famous for coining the phrase "identity crisis." Although Erikson lacked even a bachelor's degree, he served as a professor at Harvard and Yale.

"I think this is one of the best videos to understand Erikson's theory. Thanks!"
- Prabhat Yadav

Sources

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Classroom activity

Teachers who incorporate Erikson's stages of development into their practice suggest that focus should be aimed at the core "crisis" of each developmental stage and that students should be guided through the crisis in a way that allows them to resolve it and mature into the next developmental stage. Targeted activities or simple subtle rules could help! For instance, when dealing with the Initiative vs Guilt crisis, allow your students to decide what they want to read in the reading club or let them select the activity for the next class. When attending to students who are currently going through the Identity vs Role Confusion Stage, why not introduce role models to the class? If possible try and present a balanced range of people, of different genders, from different times, from different minorities and with different ranges in the magnitude of their contribution to your chosen field!
Click here for some great ideas on classroom activities.

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Erik Erikson's 8 Stages of Psychosocial Development

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Erikson's theory of psychosocial development identifies 8 stages in which a healthy individual should pass through from birth to death. Each stage is crucial to our development as a whole and at each stage we encounter different needs, ask new questions and meet people who influence our behavior and learning.

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This stage is important because children are learning to control the world around them. Initiative is the ability to know when to take action without someone else. Guilt is the feeling when a child is remorseful for their wrong actions. When I was a child I would hit my siblings, I got disciplined for my actions, here I felt guilt.

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This stage is when children are learning new lively skills. When this stage is developed, children begin to understand self-worth. Encouraging your child to learn new skills such as cleaning, cooking and hygiene this will help them with developing self-worth which helps them stay mentally healthy. I wasn't always encouraged to learn new skills as a child, I continue to find it hard to find new hobbies and skills today as a result.

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In this stage children/teens are transitioning from childhood to adulthood; learning who they are and want to become. In this stage children begin to become confused or wonder where they fit in society. Children/teens in this stage establish as sense of self, teens begin to act out in different behaviors to find who they are. This stage focuses on social interactions and relationships.

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This stage is described as the love needing stage, Isolation begins to form when relationships are not built. This stage tends to be the most confusing stage, as many people who don't form relationships begin to question themselves versus those who have found intimacy/relationships. In isolation therapy is recommended.

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Generativity vs. Stagnation (30- 64 yrs old)

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Generativity vs. Stagnation (30- 64 yrs old)

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Generativity is making an impression and achieving goals. Stagnation is the lack of ambition, those who lose ambition tend to stay stuck in their ways. This stage of development is important because we want to accomplish our goals we want to be proud of ourselves and make our impression on this planet, it is important to continue to make goals and complete them, this will keep the mind young, traveling and taking adventures is great way to develop generativity.

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The feeling of integrity is the greatest feeling of all, this stage of development is accepting oneself and their achievements. My grandfather had a great sense of integrity, he left knowing he fulfilled everything he wanted to do. The inability to be happy with the life you spent is despair.

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