Eric Erickson’s 8 Stages of Social Development
Trust vs Mistrust (Infancy)
Needs comforting and minimal uncertainty to trust him/herself, others and the environment
Autonomy vs Shame & Doubt (Toddler)
Works to master physical environment while maintaining self-esteem
Initiative vs Guilt (Preschool)
Begins to initiate, not imitate, activities; develops conscience and sexual identity
Industry vs Inferiority (School Age Children)
Tries to develop a sense of self-worth by defining skills
Identity vs Role Confusion (Adolescent)
Tries integrating many roles (child, sibling, student, athlete, worker) into a self image under
role model and peer pressure
Intimacy vs Isolation (Young Adult)
Learns to make personal commitment to another as spouse, or partner
Generativity vs Stagnation (Middle-Age Adult)
Seeks satisfaction through productivity in career, family and Civic Interests
Integrity vs Despair (Older Adult)
Reviews life accomplishments
Piaget’s 4 Stages of Cognitive Development
Sensorimotor stage (birth – 2 years old)
The child learns through physical interaction with his or her environment and by using
their 5 senses; object permanence develops
Preoperational stage (ages 2-7)
The child thinks in symbols, or representational thought. Makes error in judgments &
rational, animism, egocentric
Concrete operations (ages 7-11)
Can think rationally like an adult MINUS hypothetical and abstract thinking. Conservation &
reversibility develops
Formal operations (beginning at ages 11-15)
By this point, the child’s cognitive structures are like those of an adult and include
hypothetical and abstract reasoning.
Freud’s Theory of Psychosexual Development
Oral Stage (ages 0-1 ½)
Focus – mouth; Gratifying activities: Nursing – eating, as well as mouth movements
including sucking, gumming, biting and swallowing
Anal Stage (ages 1 ½ - 3)
Focus – Anus; Gratifying activities: Bowel Movements & the withholding of such
movements. Major event at this age is toilet training
Phallic Stage (age 4-5)
Focus – Genital; develop a sexual identity by focusing on relationship with opposite sex
parent
Latency (age 5-Puberty)
Focus – None; Sexual feelings are suppressed to allow children to focus their energy on
other aspects of life
Genital Stage (Puberty on)
Focus – Genital; This stage is marked by renewed sexual interest and desire and the pursuit
of relationships