Erikson's Theory of Psychosocial Development

Industry vs. Inferiority (6-10)

Children need to cope with new social and academic demands. Positive resolution - child learns to manipulate things in his/her world, to make things, to make things well, learns to meet social and intellectual responsibilities Negative resolution - belief that you are inferior to others, child loses interest in tasks given

Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt (1-3)

Children need to develop a sense of personal control over physical skills and a sense of independence. Positive resolution - sense of self reliance and self control; self esteem Negative resolution - self doubt, self consciousness, feeling ashamed of inability

high struggle, high commitment

Identity Achievement- those who resolve identity crisis have 1. Higher self esteem 2. Greater sense of independence 3. Increased capacity of intimacy

Integrity vs. Despair (old age- 65+)

Older adults need to look back on life and feel a sense of fulfillment. • Positive resolution: self worth in retrospect, feeling assured about dignity of life, acceptance of death. • Negative resolution: wanting to go back and do it all again, despair over having to die.

Intimacy vs. Isolation (early adulthood-19-35/40)

Young adults need to form intimate, loving relationships with other people.• Positive resolution: close, loving, intimate relationships. • Negative resolution: an isolation from meaningful and intimate relationships with other people.

Idealogical commitments

commitment to a set of values (religious, ethical, political) set of coherent beliefs

Occupational commitments

commitments to career, but also other long term activities and roles

Identity dimensions

1. Occupational commitments - 2. Ideological commitments -

Identity vs. Role Confusion (12-18)

Adolescents need to develop a sense of self and personal identity. New ability to deal with abstract reasoning causes confusion. Physical changes stimulate a self focus Starting to make decisions about careers • Positive outcome: ability to see oneself as a unique individual and an integrated person, to sustain loyalties • Negative outcome: role confusion, uncertainty of self.

Generativity vs. Stagnation (middle age- 40-65)

Adults need to create or nurture things that will outlast them, often by having children or creating a positive change that benefits other people. • Positive resolution: the individual's concern will widen out to caring for children, family, etc. • Negative resolution: self-centeredness, self-indulgent concerns,

Initiative vs. Guilt (3-5)

Children need to begin asserting control and power over the environment. Positive resolution - develop a sense of purpose, ability to plan and initiate own activities, take pride in accomplishments. Negative resolution - sense of guilt over trying to carry thing out on own, overcontrolling parents make kids feel like they are doing something wrong by being independent, may become overly judgmental of themselves

low struggle, low commitment

Diffusion- lacking commitment but not giving a ****.

low struggle, high commitment

Foreclosure- no identity crisis, instead inheriting values, morals, religion, career, etc. from parents. 1. People in this group are most well adjusted on a number of variables; studied most diligently, less riled by upsetting circumstances (more level headed), most likely to describe their homes as "happy and loving" places

high struggle, low commitment

Moratorium (going through identity crisis).

Trust vs. Mistrust (0-1)

Learning to trust people, the environment, and the continuity of external world (social and physical) (similar to the notion of object permanence) Positive resolution- a trusting attitude; trust for relative consistency Negative resolution- an insecure attitude; belief that the world is not a reliable place

Mid-Life Crisis

Levinson - 80% described lives as "stressful and depressing" Newgarten - pointed out that events that are anticipated are much less stressful than anticipated stressors Only about 2-5% of the population experiences one of significant meaning

Basic Overview

There is a lifetime period of development, there are eight stages, each of which corresponds with turning points (crises) which influence the next stages and must be resolved before more development occurs.