Explain The Eight Stages Of Erikson's Psychosocial
Erikson partitioned the life span into eight stages, each of which brings a psychosocial crisis involving transitions in important social relationships. According to Erikson, personality is shaped by how individuals deal with these psychosocial crises. Each crisis involves a struggle between two opposing tendencies, such as trust versus guilt, both of which are experienced by the person, and represent personality traits that people display in varying degrees over the remainder of their lives (Weiten, 2008).
Stage 1 - Trust Versus Mistrust (1st year of life)
The infant completely depends on adults to take care of its basic needs. If these needs are adequately met by caregivers the child should develop an optimistic, trusting attitude toward …show more content…
However, if parents are never satisfied with the child’s efforts and there are constant parent-child conflicts, the child may develop a sense of personal shame and self-doubt.
Stage 3 - Initiative Versus Guilt (4 to 6 years)
Children are experimenting and taking initiatives that may sometimes conflict with their parents’ rules. Over-controlling parents may begin to instill feelings of guilt, and self-esteem may suffer.
Parents need to support their children’s emerging independence while maintaining appropriate controls. Stage 4 - Industry Versus Inferiority (6 through puberty)
The challenge of learning to function socially is extended beyond the family to the broader social realm of the neighbourhood and school. Children who are able to function effectively in this less nurturant social sphere where productivity is highly valued should learn to value achievement and to take pride in accomplishment, resulting in a sense of competence.
Stage 5 - Identity Versus Confusion (Adolescence)
According to Erikson the primary challenge of adolescence is the struggle to form a clear sense of identity. This struggle involves working out a stable concept of oneself as a unique individual
Stage 1 - Trust Versus Mistrust (1st year of life)
The infant completely depends on adults to take care of its basic needs. If these needs are adequately met by caregivers the child should develop an optimistic, trusting attitude toward …show more content…
However, if parents are never satisfied with the child’s efforts and there are constant parent-child conflicts, the child may develop a sense of personal shame and self-doubt.
Stage 3 - Initiative Versus Guilt (4 to 6 years)
Children are experimenting and taking initiatives that may sometimes conflict with their parents’ rules. Over-controlling parents may begin to instill feelings of guilt, and self-esteem may suffer.
Parents need to support their children’s emerging independence while maintaining appropriate controls. Stage 4 - Industry Versus Inferiority (6 through puberty)
The challenge of learning to function socially is extended beyond the family to the broader social realm of the neighbourhood and school. Children who are able to function effectively in this less nurturant social sphere where productivity is highly valued should learn to value achievement and to take pride in accomplishment, resulting in a sense of competence.
Stage 5 - Identity Versus Confusion (Adolescence)
According to Erikson the primary challenge of adolescence is the struggle to form a clear sense of identity. This struggle involves working out a stable concept of oneself as a unique individual