Erik Erikson The Life-Span Approach.ppt

Erik Erikson: The Life-Span Approach Psychosocial Stages of Personality Development 8 successive stages over the lifespan Addresses bio, social, situational, personal influences Crisis: must adaptively or maladaptively cope with task in each developmental stage Respond adaptively: acquire strengths needed for next developmental stage Respond maladaptively: less likely to be able to adapt to later problems Basic strengths: Motivating characteristics and beliefs that derive from successful resolution of crisis in each stage Stage 1: Basic Trust vs. Mistrust Birth to age 1 Totally dependent on others Caregiver meets needs: child develops trust Caregiver does not meet needs: child develops mistrust Basic strength: Hope Belief our desires will be satisfied Feeling of confidence Stage 2: Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt Ages 1-3 Child able to exercise some degree of choice Child’s independence is thwarted: child develops feelings of self-doubt, shame in dealing with others Basic Strength: Will Determination to exercise freedom of choice in face of society’s demands Stage 3: Initiative vs. Guilt Ages 3-5 Child expresses desire to take initiative in activities Parents punish child for initiative: child develops feelings of guilt that will affect self-directed activity throughout life Basic strength: Purpose Courage to envision and pursue goals Stage 4: Industriousness vs. Inferiority Ages 6-11 Child develops cognitive abilities to enable in task completion (school work, play) Parents/teachers do not support child’s efforts: child develops feelings of inferiority and inadequacy Basci strength: Competence Exertion of skill and intelligence in pursuing and completing tasks Stages 1-4 Largely determined by others (parents, teachers) Stages 5-8 Individual has more control over environment Individual responsibility for crisis resolution in each stage Stage 5: Identity vs. Role Confusion Ages 12-18 Form ego identity: self-image Strong sense of identity: face adulthood with certainty