ERIK ERIKSON
BY: RAY ROBB
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction
Theories
Eight Stages of Development
Eight Stages Graph
Why is Erikson Important?
Conclusion
Reference List
Slide 1
Slide 2
Slides 3 to 7
Slide 8
Slide 9
Slide 10
Slide 11
INTRODUCTION/BACKGROUND
• Erik Erikson (Born June 15th, 1902) was a Germanborn developmental psychologist, and a
psychoanalyst.
• He is most famous for his theory on social
development in human beings.
• He also created the term identity crisis.
• His son, Kai T. Erikson is an American sociologist.
• Erik Erikson died on May 12th, 1994 in Cape Cod,
Massachusetts.
THEORIES
• Erikson’s theory of personality outlined eight stages
of conflict throughout a person’s life.
• It was also called the Eight Stages of Development.
• Favourable outcomes are known as virtues.
• Must know both sides of conflict, or you don’t have
a positive outcome through that stage.
• For example, in trust vs. mistrust you must know both
extremes or you will end up trusting everyone (negative) or
not being able to trust anyone (negative).
EIGHT STAGES OF DEVELOPMENT
1. Hope – Trust v. Mistrust – 0 to 1 year old. If needs
are met by parents or caregivers, then the child will
think the world will be trusting. If needs are not met or
the child is abused, then the child will be mistrusting.
2. Will - Autonomy vs. Shame & Doubt – 1 to 3 years.
Child begins fostering interests. If the parents allow
this the child will grow with the interests, likewise if the
parents are restrictive the child will not blossom with
their interests.
EIGHT STAGES OF DEVELOPMENT
3. Purpose - Initiative vs. Guilt – 3 to 5 years old. The
child begins to attempt independent activities; many
of which include risk, such as crossing the street
alone. If teachers and parents are supportive in their
efforts they develop initiative, and if they are not, the
child feels guilty and develops a strong sense of guilt.
4. Competence – Industry vs. Inferiority – 5 to 13 years
old. Child becomes more independent and
rebellious. Prime age to develop self-confidence.
Child notices talents and may pursue them, and if not
they develop a lack of motivation.
EIGHT STAGES OF DEVELOPMENT
5. Fidelity – Identity vs. Role Confusion – 13 to 22 years
old. Erikson stated that this was the most important
stage, as it is the transition from childhood to
adulthood. People develop their own sense of
individuality. This is also where he used the term
Identity Crisis because he stated, “Throughout
infancy and childhood, a person forms many
identifications. But the need for identity in youth is not
met by these.” This is the pivotal stage in someone's
life, because here you either discover what your role
is or you remain confused and become a nonproductive person.
EIGHT STAGES OF DEVELOPMENT
6. Love – Intimacy vs. Isolation – 22 to 39 years old.
This stage focuses on intimate relationships and the
ability to form them. Some people fear rejection and
their ego can’t take it so they isolate and are unable
to form these intimate relationships.
7. Care - Generativity vs. Stagnation – 40 to 65 years
old. This stage is about guiding the next generation.
When a person raises a family, the have a sense of
generativity, and if they do not, they have a sense of
stagnation.
EIGHT STAGES OF DEVELOPMENT
8. Wisdom – Ego Integrity vs. Despair – 78 years old
and onwards. When becoming older and looking
back people tend to evaluate their life and want to
know if they lived a successful life. If the person feels
validated by their accomplishments they feel a sense
of integrity, and if not a sense of despair.
EIGHT STAGES GRAPH
Age
Virtues
Crisis
Significant
Relationship
Question
0 – 1 Year
Hope
Trust vs. Mistrust
Mother
Can I trust the world?
1 – 3 Years
Will
Autonomy vs.
Shame and
Doubt
Parents
Is it okay to be me?
3 – 5 Years
Purpose
Initiative vs. Guilt
Family
Is it okay for me to do?
5 – 13 Years
Competence
Industry vs.
Inferiority
Neighbors,
School
Can I make it in a world of people
and things?
13 – 22 Years
Fidelity
Peers, Role
Model
Who am I? What can I be?
22 – 39 Years
Love
Identity vs. Role
Confusion
Intimacy vs.
Isolation
Friends, Partners
Can I love?
40 – 65 Years
Care
Generativity vs.
Stagnation
Household,
Workmates
Can I make my life count?
78 + Years
Wisdom
Ego Integrity vs.
Despair
Mankind, My
Kind
Is it okay to have been me?
WHY IS ERIKSON IMPORTANT?
• Erikson was influenced greatly by Sigmund Freud.
• He took Freud’s idea of psychosexual stages and
applied his own ideas and opinions on it.
• Also making a Freudian theory with social and
psychological implications to it lead to a sizeable
leap in Freudian thought.
• While many of his works have been challenged, his
main theory continues to stand strong and provoke
thought among sociologists and psychologists alike.
CONCLUSION
Erik Erikson was
certainly an
enlightened thinker
and provided a new
outlook on Freudian
thought. His theory is
still valid today and
helps many
developmental
psychologists.
REFERENCE LIST
• "Erik Erikson." NNDB: Tracking the entire world. Web.
4 Mar. 2012.
<http://www.nndb.com/people/151/000097857/>.
• "Erik Erikson." Erikson Institute. Web. 4 Mar. 2012.
<http://www.erikson.edu/default/aboutei/history/eri
kerikson.aspx>.
• Erikson, Erik H.. Identity, youth, and crisis. New York:
W. W. Norton, 1968. Print.
• Erikson, Erik H.. Identity and the life cycle. New York:
Norton, 1980. Print.
• Wright, J. Eugene. Erikson, identity and religion. New
York: Seabury Press, 1982. Print.