The Transition from
Adolescence to Adulthood
• How do we develop our
identity or sense of self?
What is Identity?
• An individual's self definition that focuses on
enduring characteristics of the self.
• Is an established identity, the individual is able
to explain the origins of these self-defined
characteristic and the influences behind those
origins
• Complete identity includes a clarification of
one’s morals, ethics, and standards, as well as
a commitment to a future occupation
ERIK ERIKSON’S
Psycho(emotional)social(circumstances
)Identities
Stages of Development
Eight Stages of Development
• Each stage is determined by a specific conflict (pair of
opposing impulses and behaviours)
• A resolution or the inability to resolve these conflicts
effects our personalities and identities
• Four childhood stages and 3 adulthood stages
bridged together one stage in adolescence
• Basic needs and what society provides
Eight Stages
Stage 1- Basic Trust vs. Mistrust
Stage 2- Autonomy vs. Shame/Doubt
Stage 3- Initiative vs. Guilt
Stage 4- Industry vs. Inferiority
Stage 5- Identity vs. Role Confusion
Stage 6- Intimacy vs. Isolation
Stage 7- Generativity vs. Stagnation
Stage8- Ego integrity vs. Despair
I. Stage 1- Infancy
A. Birth to 1 ½ years
B. Fastest growth period in life
C. Developmental Tasks
1. learn to eat solid food
2. begin to walk
3. begin to talk
4. developing trust
D. Trust vs. Mistrust
–
–
–
Hope and optimism
A loving trusting relationship with the mother/caregiver through feeding, teething, and comforting
Failure to resolve this conflict- sensory distortion and withdrawal
II. Stage 2 - Early Childhood
A.
B.
Ages 2-3
Developmental tasks
1. walk and talk more
2. potty trained
3. social independence develops
4. Sense of autonomyneed to control
impulses, body,
environment.
C. Autonomy vs. Shame/Doubt
•
Self control and will
Autonomy- ability to control their bodies and
environment
Shame and doubt develop when the child is shamed or
forced to be dependent in areas in which she/he is
capable of independence
III. Stage 3 - Childhood
A.
B.
4-5 years
Developmental tasks
1. Initiate play with other kids
2. Make-believe
3. Ask questions
4. Learn initiative- the ability to start
something on their own.
C. Initiative vs. Guilt
•
•
•
•
Purpose and direction
Children are active and have powerful
imagination
Initiative- independent decision making
about planning and doing various activities
May develop guilt for their desire of
independence
IV. Stage 4 – Late Childhood
A.
B.
6 to 11 years
Developmental Tasks
1. learn physical skills for sports, games, etc.
2. intellectually- learn to read, write, do
math
3. learn right from wrong
4. develop attitudes towards themselves and
others.
5. develop sense of industry- make thingscookies, models, etc.
C. Industry vs. Inferiority
•
Competence
Industry: motivation to keep learning and practicingwant to be productive instead of just wanting to play
When not encouraged to work and learn skills feel
inferior and unmotivated
Conflict between what they should do and should not
do
Completing an Education: The
Development of Education
• Education is a fairly recent development in
human society
• Prior to the 15th century, knowledge was
spread through story-telling and youth
learned skills from their parents
– Girls became mothers and boys performed the
labour or craft of their fathers
– In the Middle Ages, wealthy boys were sent to
“Latin schools”, but very little education actually
took place because the boys were undisciplined
V. Stage 5 – Puberty/Adolescence
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
F.
Ages 9 – 13 & 14-17
Beginning of adolescence
Become capable of reproducing
Secondary sex characteristics begin to develop
Second fastest period of growth
Hormones develop- estrogen & progesterone-girls &
testosterone-boys
G. Developmental Tasks
1. Form mature relationships
2. Achieve a masculine or feminine social role
3. Accept one’s physique and use one’s body effectively
4. Achieve emotional independence from parents and other adults
5. Prepare for marriage and family life
6. Prepare for career
7. Acquire personal standards
8. Develop social intelligence-aware of human needs-helping others
9. Develop conceptual and problem-solving skills
•
Identity is characterized by integration of personal values with those of society, a clear
sense of self in multiple roles, and by making choices of the future.
•
A healthy Identity- one’s organization of individual drives, abilities, beliefs, and
experience into a consistent image of self
•
Role Confusion- Failure to establish an individual identity separate from the family and
having no peer relationships and plans for an occupation
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_t0y-gCySN0
•
James Marcia’s Identity Formations
As you watch the video take notes on;
1.
Identity diffusion
2.
Identity Moratorium
3.
Identity Foreclosure
4.
Identity Achievement
VI. Stage 6- Young Adulthood
A.
Generally age 20 to early 30’s- can start as young as 17.
B.
Financially independent from parents
C.
Can deal with everyday life trials with maturity
D.
At peak of physical abilities- strength, quickness, alertness
E.
Crucial life decisions made- marriage, career, children
F.
Intimacy vs. Isolation
• Form identities and start looking for close reciprocal relationships
• Intimacy develops when the person creates mature relationships with a
partner
• Isolation- inability to create intimate relationships
• Am I loved? Am I wanted? Shale I share my life with someone or live
alone?
VII. Stage 7- Middle Adulthood
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
35-65 years
Start thinking in terms of what to do with the rest of their lives.
Feeling that time is running out
Start to face death of parents
Mid-life crisis common- divorce, career change, remarriage
1. some have not accepted middle age- can lead to problems adjusting
2. Their children may be going through adolescence, during this time which can add to
conflict.
- Care- primary developmental task is one of contributing to society and helping to guide future
generations
Generativity- Concern of establishing and guiding the next generation- promote well being of
others
Stagnation- a dissatisfaction with the relative lack of productivity
VIII. Stage 8- Late Adulthood
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
F.
65 and older
Retirement common
Senior citizen does not equate to old anymore.
Longer life expectancy- 85 and older common.
Better health practices than in the past.
Measures of Age
1. Chronological- How old you actually are
2. Biological- how well your body is holding up
influenced by diet, exercise, lifestyle,
heredity
3. Social- a person’s lifestyle
G. Grandchildren become important
H. Must face death
- Wisdom- Integrity vs. Despair
- Integrity- when a person developed wisdom over a
lifetime and can look back and see a life of meaning
- Despair- A sense of not accomplishing one’s goals or
values and it is too late to do anything about it.
Reading: Erikson
Complete reading- chart and personal examples
For each stage:
- Discuss one example- ideally from your lives- that illustrates a
particular stage- specific crisis
- Describe a positive and negative outcome for your example.
- For example- stage 4- school age- is when children begin school and learn new
skills. If this stage is met successfully, a child will develop a sense of
competence. He or she is more likely to feel confident about learning new
subjects in school, talking in class, and taking in new challenges. If not, he or she
will develop a sense of inferiority, may be reluctant to ask questions, and could
fall behind, feeling discouraged
- Class discussion on your examples
Developmental Theories:
• Complete
reading/chart
• Will break into
groups and present
your findings
• Total Marks: / 10
Communication