Erik Erikson’s
Eight Psychosocial Stages of Developmental
Learning
Introduction Activity:
Relationship Stage
Action Intro
• Have one person start
by saying an action
and their name. The
action should start
with the same letter
as their name.
• For example:
energetic Eric or
jumping Jill.
Instructional Objective
 Counselors and Team Leaders will
focus on students who failed or
were border line of failure in the
previous academic year.
 The learning objective will focus
on two subparts. 1) Academics, 2)
Team/Family Culture.
Who is Erik Erikson ?
•
German –born American developmental
psychologist
•
Created the eight stages of psychosocial
developmental learning
What are the eight stages of
developmental learning?
1. Infancy: Trust vs. Mistrust
2. Early Childhood: Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt
3. Preschool: Initiative vs. Guilt
4. School Age: Industry vs. Inferiority
What are the eight stages of
developmental learning?
5.
Adolescence: Identity vs. Role Confusion
6. Young Adulthood: Intimacy vs. Isolation
7.
Middle Adulthood: Generativity vs. Stagnation
8. Maturity: Ego Integrity vs. Despair
Intended Audience
 Middle School students in the Identity vs. Role Confusion
stage focused on ages of 10-14.
Middle Section:
Relationship Activity – Getting to know
one another
Two Truths and a Lie
• Go around the group and have everyone say two
true statements about themselves and one false.
The rest of the group has to guess which one is
false. If participants find it hard to think on the
spot, give them index cards and let them write it
down. Then, toss the cards into the middle of
the circle so you have to guess who the person is
and what is false. You may be surprised. You can
learn some crazy things about each other!
Examples of a psychosocial developmental
learning stage
Trust vs. Mistrust
• Infant being fed meeting basic needs.

Infant crying for basic needs.
Examples of a psychosocial developmental
learning stage
Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt

A child fluently placing pieces of a
puzzle together.

A child frustrated at not being able to
put Lego's together.
Examples of a psychosocial developmental
learning stage
Initiative vs. Guilt

Five year old exploring environment.

Five year old bullying others using force
to attract attention.
Examples of a psychosocial developmental
learning stage
Industry vs. Inferiority

Children faces with academic
challenges.

Child faces academic failures and
obstacles.
Examples of a psychosocial developmental
learning stage
Identity vs. Role Confusion

Teen socializing and developing
personal identity.

Teen being the outcast and having a
role confusion.
Examples of a psychosocial developmental
learning stage
Intimacy vs. Isolation

Marriage a strong relationship requires 
selflessness.
Selfish actions at this stage result in
isolation.
Examples of a psychosocial developmental
learning stage
Generativity vs. Stagnation
• Adulthood and parenthood.

Parental failure in adulthood.
Examples of a psychosocial developmental
learning stage
Ego Integrity vs. Despair

Older adult reflect on accomplishments 
of life.
Older adult reflect on failures of life.
Teamwork Activity
Relationship Buildup
Human Knot
• Everyone stands in a circle and puts their right
hand into the middle. They clasp hands with
someone across the circle. Then, everyone puts
their left hand into the middle of the circle and
clasps the hand of a *different* person. The
group is now in a “knot”. The object is for the
group to untangle itself without releasing
anyone’s hand.
Conclusion: Erik Erickson
 Erik Erickson was able to use the eight stages mentioned above effectively
as a psychological guide for developmental learning in the education setting.
 As individuals in the field of education and technology we are able to use
Erickson’s theory and apply that knowledge to any instructional package
whether it is in K-12 or higher education.
References
•
•
•
•
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Erik_Erikson
http://psychology.about.com/library/bl_psych
osocial_summary.htm
http://www.deca.org/_docs/chapterresources/DECA-teambuildinggames.pdf
http://www.muskingum.edu/~psych/psycweb
/history/erikson.htm#Theory