Like Sigmund Freud before him, Eric Erikson believed that behavior develops in a series of stages. However, unlike Freud, Erikson’s theory identifies eight such distinct stages. His theory put emphasis on the ego identity. He talked of the influence of environment on the growing individual. His theory emphasizes on developmental changes throughout the lifespan of individual. According to Erikson, at each stage there is a conflict to face and resolve. (Hutchison E.D, 2003, p.64)
The first psychosocial stage according to Erikson occurs between birth and one year. Because infants are entirely dependant, they develop trust or mistrust depending on the quality of caregivers. When a child develops trust in this stage, she will feel safe and secure in the world. On the other hand, if she is mishandled or she is given inconsistent attention, she will develop fear and believe the world is incoherent and volatile.
The second psychosocial stage occurs between ages of two to three years and is characterized by children starting to assert their sense of independence and autonomy. They are therefore developing a sense of self control and independence. When a child successfully completes this stage, they develop a sense of security and confidence.(Hutchison E.D, 2003, p.76)
The third psychosocial stage occurs between ages of three to five years, as pre-school children encounter a widening social world. They derive self-esteem from mental powers talk, play games, and spin fantasies. Some mothers and fathers consider play and activities as foolish or wrong. In such case children feel guilt and unsure and later in life are unable to act on their own desires.
Children who are successful at this stage develop leadership skills. The fourth stage occurs between ages of six to eleven years. children enters a new world -the school with its own goals, limits, failures and achievements. When children are feeling less able than their peers, they develop a sense of adequacy or inferiority. Caregivers who encourage their children enable them to develop competence and a sense of belief in their skills.(Hutchison E.D, 2003, p.88)
The fifth stage is the adolescent stage; individuals are faced with finding out who they are, what they are all about and where they are going in life. To achieve an identity, the teenagers must integrate various self-images and choose a suitable career and lifestyle. If identity is pushed on the adolescent by caregivers or if adolescent does not explore many roles adequately, and if a positive future is not defined, then identity confusion begins.(Newman B& Newman P, 2005, p.56)
The early adulthood stage, young adults are ready to form lasting social bonds. Intimacy requires developing sexual relationship with member of the opposite sex. If a young adult forms healthy relationship and intimate close relationship with another individual, intimacy will be achieved. If not, isolation will result. The seventh stage is middle adulthood, where an individual is committed to the future and to the next generation. Active concern about young people and involvement in improving human lives enhance the self. Too much self-absorption breeds stagnation. The feeling of having nothing to contribute to the young generation is stagnation.(Newman B& Newman P, 2005, p.61)
In the eighth stage, which is generally the late adulthood, people look back, feel satisfied and accept their. They therefore develop a sense of integrity. Despair grips those who find little meaning or satisfaction in the past and view their lives as wasted. If the person resolves many of the earlier stages negatively, the retrospective glance will yield doubt or gloom. Those who accomplish their goals in this stage feel proud of themselves.( Cross.T, 2005, p.27)
Reference List
Cross,T. (2005). The Social and Emotional Lives of Gifted Kids: Understanding and Guiding
Their Development. Prufrock press publishers. ISBN 159363157x
Hutchison E.D, (2003). Dimensions of Human Behavior: The Changing Life Course. SAGE
publishers. ISBN 0761987649
Newman, B& Newman, P (2005). Development Through Life: A Psychosocial Approach.
ThompsonWadsworth publishers. ISBN 053460725x