Erikson’s Psychosocial Theory
There are many different theories about development, however some of the theories apply to actual development more than others and describe development better. The theory that applies most to development is Erikson’s Psychosocial Theory, which was created by Erik Erikson. Several other theories do not apply to development as much, the one created by Sigmund Freud, his Psychoanalytic Theory which is one theory that least describes development.
Erik Erikson created a Psychosocial Theory that describes eight different lifespan stages that all people go through as they age. The stages are Integrity versus Despair, Generatively versus Stagnation, Intimacy versus Isolation, Identity versus Identity Confusion, Industry versus Inferiority, Initiative versus Guilt, Autonomy versus Shame and Doubt and Trust versus Mistrust (Santrock, 2011). At each stage the person has to confront a unique developmental task, each stage marks a “turning point” in a person’s life(Harder, 2009). The first stage, Trust versus mistrust is in the first stage of life, it occurs in the first year of life, and success in this stage means individuals will be able to view the world with a basic confidence. Autonomy versus Shame and doubt is the second stage between one and three years of age. In this stage infants and toddlers discover they have a will of their own and learn to master skills. Individuals develop self-esteem and autonomy. Initiative versus guilt is the third stage of development and it occurs during the preschool years, when children imitate adults, children also develop a sense of social identity. This stage causes the need for “active, purposeful and responsible behavior.” Industry versus inferiority occurs during the elementary years, when children focus their abilities on acquiring new knowledge and intellectual expertise and proficiency. The stage is very social but has the potential to create feelings of inadequacy. During the adolescent years, the developmental task of Identity
Erik Erikson created a Psychosocial Theory that describes eight different lifespan stages that all people go through as they age. The stages are Integrity versus Despair, Generatively versus Stagnation, Intimacy versus Isolation, Identity versus Identity Confusion, Industry versus Inferiority, Initiative versus Guilt, Autonomy versus Shame and Doubt and Trust versus Mistrust (Santrock, 2011). At each stage the person has to confront a unique developmental task, each stage marks a “turning point” in a person’s life(Harder, 2009). The first stage, Trust versus mistrust is in the first stage of life, it occurs in the first year of life, and success in this stage means individuals will be able to view the world with a basic confidence. Autonomy versus Shame and doubt is the second stage between one and three years of age. In this stage infants and toddlers discover they have a will of their own and learn to master skills. Individuals develop self-esteem and autonomy. Initiative versus guilt is the third stage of development and it occurs during the preschool years, when children imitate adults, children also develop a sense of social identity. This stage causes the need for “active, purposeful and responsible behavior.” Industry versus inferiority occurs during the elementary years, when children focus their abilities on acquiring new knowledge and intellectual expertise and proficiency. The stage is very social but has the potential to create feelings of inadequacy. During the adolescent years, the developmental task of Identity