Developer: Eric Erickson, German-American psychologist
Influences: Sigmund and Anna Freud
Concept: Eight stages of psychosocial development from birth to death
Stages of Development
Stage 1: Basic Trust vs. Mistrust
Age: Infancy
Question: Can I trust the world?
Positive Outcome: Trust in others
Negative Outcome: Mistrust and fear
Key Influencer: Mother
Stage 2: Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt
Age: Early childhood
Question: Is it okay to be me?
Positive Outcome: Self-confidence
Negative Outcome: Shame and self-doubt
Key Influencers: Both parents
Stage 3: Initiative vs. Guilt
Age: Preschool
Question: Is it okay for me to do what I do?
Positive Outcome: Initiative and following interests
Negative Outcome: Guilt for taking initiative
Key Influencers: Family
Stage 4: Industry vs. Inferiority
Age: School age
Question: Can I make it in this world?
Positive Outcome: Industriousness
Negative Outcome: Feeling of inferiority
Key Influencers: Neighbors and schools
Stage 5: Identity vs. Role Confusion
Age: Adolescence
Question: Who am I?
Positive Outcome: Strong sense of identity
Negative Outcome: Role confusion
Key Influencers: Peers and role models
Stage 6: Intimacy vs. Isolation
Age: Young adulthood
Question: Can I love?
Positive Outcome: Formation of intimate relationships
Negative Outcome: Isolation and loneliness
Key Influencers: Friends and partners
Stage 7: Generativity vs. Stagnation
Age: Middle adulthood
Concern: Contribution to society and the next generation
Positive Outcome: Generativity
Negative Outcome: Stagnation
Key Influencers: People at home and work
Stage 8: Ego Integrity vs. Despair
Age: Old age
Question: How have I done?
Positive Outcome: Contentment and integrity
Negative Outcome: Despair
Key Influencer: Comparison with humanity
Notable Contributions
Erickson coined the term "identity crisis"
Despite lacking a formal degree, he served as a professor at Harvard and Yale
Additional Notes
Erickson's work is a pivotal contribution to understanding human psychological development through the lens of social interactions and experiences over a lifetime.