Reading Response - Erikson's Stages of Psychosocial Development by Daniel Zeman

Background

dzeman0024_1_1 — 2024-06-18 22:38:46 UTC

Erik Erikson was a psychologist who focused on the ego and developed a crucial theory in development. His theory centered on psychosocial aspects and was influenced by Sigmund Freud's earlier work. Contrary to Freud's psychosexual stages, Erikson's theory explained the impact of social experience over a whole lifespan.

Based on an Epigenetic principle. Suggesting that people grow in a sequence that occurs over time and in the context of a broader community.

More Overview

dzeman0024_1_1 — 2024-06-18 22:48:33 UTC

Conflict During Each Stage:

Preceding stages paves the way for the following time of development. Experiencing conflict acts as a turning point in growth.

Mastery Leads to Ego Strength:

A feeling of competence leads to a bolstered ego because competence increases motivation and behavior. When we sense a level of mastery, we also feel our more strength in our ego.

Stage 1: Trust vs. Mistrust

dzeman0024_1_1 — 2024-06-18 23:08:15 UTC

From birth to 18 months

-An infants dependency on others for their basic needs creates a conflict between trust and mistrust. If the baby feels adequately loved and cared for with plenty nutrition they will develop a sense of trust for the adults in their world. Also making them feel safe and secure. Adversely, the child would develop trust issues if during this stage they felt neglected in any way. This leaves an imprint that the world is unpredictable.

Stage 2: Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt

dzeman0024_1_1 — 2024-06-19 03:02:48 UTC

From 2-3 years of age
-children developing a greater sense of personal control
-children begin to perform basic actions on their own and make decisions based on preference.
-Begin to develop a sense of personal control over physical skills
Potty Training
-helps develop a sense independence
-Children who are shamed for their accidents may be left without a sense of personal control.
-Success during this stage of psychosocial development leads to feelings of autonomy; failure results in feelings of shame and doubt.

Stage 3: Initiative vs. Guilt

dzeman0024_1_1 — 2024-06-19 05:01:53 UTC

Preschool Years(3-5)

children start to utilize their power and control over their surroundings by directing play and other social interactions.

success at this stage creates a sense of capability and leadership.

while failure leads to feelings of guilt or shame.

Major Theme: Children need to practice asserting control and power over the surroundings.

Finding Balance between individual initiative and a motivation to work with others is key for the ego to unlock the quality known as purpose.

Stage 4: Industry vs. Inferiority

dzeman0024_1_1 — 2024-06-19 05:27:03 UTC

Early school years(ages 5-11)

By way of social interactions, children begin to develop a sense of pride for their work and abilities.
Children are learning how to cope with social interactions and academic demands which puts an emphasis on success at this stage of development
Children who are encouraged and praised by parents and teachers grow a sense of competence and belief in their abilities.
Those who receive little to no encouragement or praise from parents, teachers, or peers will lack confidence in their abilities to be great.
Discovering a balance at this stage of psychosocial development leads to the strength known as competence

Stage 5: Identity vs. Confusion

dzeman0024_1_1 — 2024-06-19 06:03:02 UTC

Teenage Years

plays an important influential role in developing a sense of personal identity which continues to impact behavior and development for their lifespan.
teenagers benefit from a sense of self
Success leads to an ability to be yourself, while failure leads to role confusion and a weak sense of self.

What Is Identity?

dzeman0024_1_1 — 2024-06-19 06:19:14 UTC

Identity refers to the beliefs, ideals, and values that help shape and guide a person's behavior.
Completing this stage successfully leads to fidelity-an ability to live by society's standards and expectations.
Ego identity is the conscious sense of self that we develop through social interaction and becomes a main focus during the identity versus confusion stage of psychosocial development.

Stage 6: Intimacy vs. Isolation

dzeman0024_1_1 — 2024-06-19 06:36:08 UTC

Young Adulthood(19 to 40 years)

need to develop intimate and caring relationship with other people
Success foster strong relationships, while failure results in loneliness and isolation.
people explore new relationships during this stage
plays a factor in the strength

Stage 7: Generativity vs. Stagnation

dzeman0024_1_1 — 2024-06-19 06:43:16 UTC

Adults have a natural need to nature and cerate things that will outlast them.
Having children or contributing long-lasting foundations
Success leads to feelings of usefulness and accomplishment, while failure results in shallow involvement in the world.

Stage 8: Integrity vs. Despair

dzeman0024_1_1 — 2024-06-19 06:51:57 UTC

Maturity (65 to death)

occurs during old age and is focused on reflecting back on life.
We reflect on our life events and think about our integrity and morals.
We reflect on our mistakes and successes
If we feel good about our life we can have peace. While if we have regrets we feel bad about not achieving what we wanted.