What Are Erickson's 8 Stages of Development by

nvargas0024_1_1 — 2025-02-24 18:49:50 UTC

There are 8 stages of development:

Stage 1: Trust vs. Mistrust (Infancy, from birth to 18 months)

Stage 2: Autonomy vs Shame and Doubt(Toddler years from 18 months to three years)

Stage 3: Initiative vs. Guilt (Preschool years from three to five)

Stage 4: Industry vs. Inferiority (Middle school years from six to 11)

Stage 5: Identity vs. Confusion (Teen years from 12 to 18)

Stage 6: Intimacy vs. Isolation (Young adult years from 18 to 40)

Stage 7: Generativity vs. Stagnation (Middle age from 40 to 65)

Stage 8: Integrity vs. Despair (Older adulthood from 65 to death)

nvargas0024_1_1 — 2025-02-24 18:50:56 UTC

Erickson believed that people learn over the entire of their whole life, counter to the view of Piaget when it comes to development. It argued that a majority of people learn and grow at the same rate over the entirety of their whole life. Erickson was interested in how how social interaction and relationships played a role in the development and growth of human beings. Every stage is a conflict of some sorts.

nvargas0024_1_1 — 2025-02-24 18:59:16 UTC

Trust vs Mistrust: Most important aspect of a child's life. It shapes their worldview as well as overall personality. The main idea is the question "can I trust people?". For trust to be gained, there are to be Believing in caregivers, trusting that the world is safe and knowing that needs will be met. For mistrust however, there will be distrusting caregivers, fearing the world and unsure that needs will be met. The key here is making sure the trust outweighs the mistrust. It doesn't need to be entirely trust (letting the child know that they can't get everything that they want), but it does need to be substantial.

nvargas0024_1_1 — 2025-02-24 19:00:24 UTC

Autonomy vs Shame and Doubt-focusing on a greater sense of self control. This is focused on a child's ability to gain independence as they move through the world. The emphasis is on if they can trust themselves. The major question is "Can I do this by myself or am I reliant on the help of others?". They begin to develop confidence in themselves. Autonomy allows children to exercise their critical thinking skills, feel comfortable in their bodies, gain a greater sense of their identity, learn from their own mistakes, make decisions independently and process their emotions. Consequences of shame and doubt include anxiety, depression, lower academic achievement, lower levels of coping skills and perceived lack of control over their lives. that being said, the key is finding a balance between the two.

nvargas0024_1_1 — 2025-02-24 19:38:53 UTC

Initiative vs Guilt- children begin to assert their power and control over the world through directing play and other social interactions. The important part of this stage is having the freedom to do things without feeling fear or shame. The main question during this stage is "am I good or am I bad?". Initiative is a free sense of wanting to do new task. It is developed by having opportunities to make choices in the context of a supportive environment is essential when it comes to developing a sense of initiative. It's not allowing kids to do whatever they want, but rather letting them explore while being there as a safety net. Guilt is the shame for failure and thus causes adults to show frustration or irritation. At this point, interpreting mistakes as a sign of failure can make them feel like they are "bad".

nvargas0024_1_1 — 2025-02-24 21:01:28 UTC

Industry vs Inferiority-where they acquire new skills, build their confidence, and figure out what they are good at. It's where kids figure out what they can "actually" do. This is if they play a sport, learn an instrument, get good grades, or anything of that sort. The important part of this stage is making sure that children are getting feedback and support, or else they may leave this stage with a sense of worthlessness and inferiority. The big question asked is "How can I be good?". In this case, industry is how someone functions, how hard they work and how they are able to master their skills. To be industrious, a child needs to feel like they are capable and competent. Inferiority is reached when there is no feedback or a lot of negative feedback/support. This stage is highly focused on self esteem. The benefits most linked to this are better mental/physical health, confidence in abilities, higher perception of success and positive self image. Low self esteem will lead to anti social behavior, anxiety, depression, lower levels of academic or job performance, substance abuse and suicidal ideation

nvargas0024_1_1 — 2025-02-24 21:17:58 UTC

Identity vs Role Confusion-Adolescents explore their independence and develop a sense of self. The main question is "Who am I?". There may be a lot of confusion and insecurity about themselves and how they fit in to society. This may be a period of experimentation to discover what their identity is. Identity is defined as a "fundamental organizing principal which develops constantly throughout the lifespan". This will involve experiences, relationships, beliefs, values and memories that will make up a person's sense of self. Identity provides self-sameness (continuity within one's self), uniqueness and psychosocial development. The other side of the conversation is role confusion. This is when kids aren't allowed to explore new identities. This can result in being unsure of who you are and were you fit in, floating through jobs and relationships and feeling disappointed/confused about place in life.

nvargas0024_1_1 — 2025-02-25 17:15:16 UTC

Intimacy vs Isolation-We are focused on relationships at this stage. navigating this period of life successfully leads to fulfilling, enduring relationships. Struggling can lead to loneliness and isolation. The major question her is "Will I be loved, or will I be alone?". Intimacy is the closeness, honesty and love that one gives and/or receives. It is essential to ones own emotional well-being. At this stage, it is all about forming close, loving connections, whether romantic, platonic, familial, or otherwise. That being said, some people may lack the ability or desire to form social connections, healthy relationships and social support. Successful intimacy will lead to the development of close relationships, deep connections, enduring connections, positive relationships with family and friends. What can increase the likelihood of isolation are childhood experiences (neglect and abuse), divorce or death of a partner, fear of commitment, fear of intimacy, inability to share thoughts and feelings and relationship experiences. This can lead to lacking intimacy, lack of friendships and relationships and weak social support. This can also have a negative effect on physical health. this can lead to cardiovascular disease, depression, substance misuse, stress and suicide.

nvargas0024_1_1 — 2025-02-25 17:35:27 UTC

Generativity vs Stagnation-Middle age. You strive to create things that will outlast themselves. This comes in the form of parenting kids or fostering changes that benefit others. This can also come from contributions made that will help the future. Whereas for other stages life events are more age specific, at this stage it's much broader. The main question is "How can I contribute to the world?". Generativity is "making your mark" by caring for others". Key characteristics involve developing relationships with family, making commitments to other people, mentoring and contributing to the next generation. Oftentimes this is reached through raising children. Stagnation comes from failing to find a way to contribute. Oftentimes, one might feel disconnected of uninvolved. Characteristics include narcissism, failing to get involved, not being productive, no self improvement and thinking about yourself over others. Benefits of generativity include better health, more positive relationships, greater community involvement, enhanced productivity, and achieving a sense of fulfillment. Consequences of stagnation involved reduced cognitive function, poorer health, lower quality relationships and decreased life satisfaction. We see this stage associated with a "midlife crisis".

nvargas0024_1_1 — 2025-02-25 17:48:28 UTC

Integrity vs Despair-the last stage. They either find a sense of wisdom or fulfillment or disappointment and regret. People who embrace their life story find a sense of peace as they approach their twilight years. The flip side is filled with resentment and bitterness. The main question here is "Did I live a meaningful life?. Characteristics of integrity include acceptance, sense of wholeness, lack of regret, feeling of peace, sense of success and feeling of wisdom. Characteristics of despair include bitterness, regret, thinking to much about past mistakes, sense of feeling as if life was wasted, unproductive, depressing and hopelessness. Benefits of integrity include wisdom, ego integrity and peace. Consequences of despair include increased depressive symptoms, increased regret, decreased life satisfaction.