Psychosocial Development

By: Chelsea Newsome

Psychosocial Development

• There are 8 stages: trust vs. mistrust, autonomy vs. shame, initiative vs. guilt, industry vs. inferiority, identity vs. role confusion, intimacy vs. isolation, generativity vs. stagnation, and ego integrity vs. despair.

• Erick Erikson published this theory in the 1950's.

• Personality development and social skills are learned from infancy through adulthood

What is psychosocial development?

Stage 1: birth - 18 months Infant is completely dependant Goal: Meet the needs of the infant and be consistent Success in this stage will leave the infant feeling safe and secure. Virtue developed: Hope Failure in this stage can cause anxiety and mistrust.

Trust vs Mistrust

Stage 2: 18 months - 3 years Child’s physical skills improve while they begin to explore and become more independent. Goal: Help child to become more independent within a safe environment Success in this stage will leave the child with a sense of independence or freedom. Virtue developed: Will Failure in this stage can cause a child to feel shame and doubt their abilities to be independent.

Autonomy vs Shame

Stage 3: 3 - 5 years Child learns to initiate social interactions and play activities with other children. Goals: Acknowledge the toddlers questions and allow them some freedom. Success in this stage will allow the toddler to have the power to act/take charge before others do. They become more independent. Virtue gained: Purpose Failure during this stage can cause a toddler to feel ignored and develop feelings of guilt.

Initiative vs. Guilt

Stage 4: 5 - 12 years Child learns to read and write and begin caring about what their peers think about them. They begin to take pride in their accomplishments. Goal: Encourage your child Success in this stage will allow the child to feel successful and develop the ability to do something efficiently. Virtue gained: Competence Failure during this stage can cause the child to have feelings of inferiority and low self-esteem.

Industry vs. Inferiority

Stage 5: 12 - 18 years Child begins to discover who they are and search for a sense of identity. They begin to accept and learn about the differences between them and their peers/others. Goal: To discover who you are as an individual. Success in this stage will allow the teenager to become loyal and faithful to others and themselves. Virtue gained: Fidelity or “faithfulness” Failure in this stage can result in role confusion. They will be uncertain about themselves and where they fit into society.

Identity vs. Role Confusion

Stage 6: 18 - 40 years Young adults begin to develop intimate relationships. Goal: Build genuine and healthy relationships with others. Success in this stage will allow the young adult to form healthy relationships with their peers and others. Virtue gained: Love Failure in this stage can cause the young adult to feel alone and isolated. This can lead to depression.

Intimacy vs. Isolation

Stage 7: 40 - 65 years Adults start to give back to society. Goal: “Leave a mark” so you will be remembered for what you did to help give back to your society. Success in the stage causes a person to feel a sense of purpose or importance. Virtue gained: Care Failure in this stage can cause a person to feel useless and disconnected from their community.

Generativity vs. Stagnation

Stage 8: 65 - death A person starts to reflect on their life and accomplishments. During these years they come to terms with knowing that death is unavoidable. Goal: Achieve balance between integrity and despair. Success in this stage gives them a sense of peace and blissfulness. Virtue gained: Wisdom Failure in this stage can lead to feelings of despair.

Ego Integrity vs. Despair

Aubrey Bailey, P. (2023, September 23). Understanding psychosocial development. Verywell Health. https://www.verywellhealth.com/psychosocial-development-5220563#:~:text=Psychosocial%20development%20describes%20how%20a,eight%20stages%20of%20psychosocial%20development. Mcleod, S. (2023, October 16). Erik Erikson’s stages of Psychosocial Development. Simply Psychology. https://www.simplypsychology.org/erik-erikson.html#:~:text=Ego%20integrity%20versus%20despair%20is,as%20leading%20a%20successful%20life. Learning, L. (n.d.). Lifespan development. https://courses.lumenlearning.com/wm-lifespandevelopment/chapter/defining-human-development/#:~:text=Physical%20development%20involves%20growth%20and,%2C%20personality%2C%20and%20social%20relationships.

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