Erikson's Stages of Psychosocial Development

Introduction

• Developed by psychologist Erik Erikson in the 1950s.
• Expands on Freud's theory of psychosexual development, integrating social dynamics and extending into adulthood.
• Comprises eight stages influenced by biological, psychological, and social factors throughout a person's life.
• Influences fields like gerontology, personality development, and identity formation.

Function and Issues of Concern

• Each stage involves a psychological conflict between two opposing tendencies: one positive (syntonic) and one negative (dystonic).
• Successful resolution leads to an ego virtue or strength, while failure results in maldevelopment.
• Example: Adolescence features the conflict of ego identity vs. confusion, leading to the virtue of fidelity or the maldevelopment of repudiation.
• The balance between opposing tendencies is crucial; extreme tendencies can be maladaptive or malignant.

Stages and Components

• Erikson did not confine stages to specific ages; instead, they occur within broader life periods:
  • Childhood Stages:
    • Stage 1: Infancy (Trust vs. Mistrust)
      • Virtue: Hope, Maldevelopment: Withdrawal
      • Requires a secure environment with affection and food.
    • Stage 2: Early Childhood (Autonomy vs. Shame/Doubt)
      • Virtue: Will, Maldevelopment: Compulsion
      • Promotes self-sufficiency with a secure environment.
    • Stage 3: Play Age (Initiative vs. Guilt)
      • Virtue: Purpose, Maldevelopment: Inhibition
      • Encourages child’s initiatives and interests.
    • Stage 4: School Age (Industry vs. Inferiority)
      • Virtue: Competence, Maldevelopment: Inertia (passivity)
      • Praise and reasonable expectations support development.
  • Adolescence Stage:
    • Stage 5: Identity vs. Identity Confusion
      • Virtue: Fidelity, Maldevelopment: Repudiation
      • Involves self-exploration and value formation.
  • Adulthood Stages:
    • Stage 6: Young Adulthood (Intimacy vs. Isolation)
      • Virtue: Love, Maldevelopment: Distantiation
      • Focuses on forming close relationships.
    • Stage 7: Adulthood (Generativity vs. Stagnation/Self-Absorption)
      • Virtue: Care, Maldevelopment: Rejectivity
      • Engages next generations via parenting, coaching, teaching.
    • Stage 8: Old Age (Integrity vs. Despair)
      • Virtue: Wisdom, Maldevelopment: Disdain
      • Involves reflecting on life achievements.
  • Additional Stage:
    • A ninth stage was added by Joan Erikson, addressing challenges in advanced aging.

Clinical Significance

• Erikson’s stages inform clinical tools and therapeutic practices:
  • Serve as a framework for mental illness recovery.
  • The Erikson Psychosocial Stage Inventory and its modified version assess psychosocial development.
  • Influence psychodynamic psychotherapy.

Interprofessional Impact

• Useful for mental health providers treating patients at life turning points.
• Applicable across the lifespan, including later life stages.

Research and Support

• Research continues on its application and relevance in various fields, funded by entities like HCA Healthcare.

References include scholarly articles detailing the impact and extensions of Erikson's work.