Erik Erikson is one of the most important names in the History of Psychology as a scientific discipline, and no wonder. This researcher is especially known for the psychodynamic theory of human development that he proposed, in which the influences that Sigmund Reud had on Erikson are noted.
If you want to understand what it is Erik Erikson’s Theory of Psychosocial Development, keep reading; Here you will find all the key ideas and stages that, according to this psychologist, define the psychological transformation that human beings go through as we grow from childhood to old age.
In Evolutionary Psychology, also called Developmental Psychology, Erikson’s Theory of Psychosocial Development It is one of the most widespread and influential theories, especially in the field of psychoanalysis. Of course, many decades have passed since it was formulated in the 1950s, and this implies that in this time it has been greatly revised and criticized; However, it is a good starting point to understand how Developmental Psychology has been changing.
Next we are going to describe some of the foundations of Erik Erikson’s theory. You will also find summarized Erikson’s 8 stages of development and the conflicts that, according to this researcher, shape these phases.
What does Erikson’s Theory of Psychosocial Development say?
The Theory of Psychosocial Development was devised by Erik Erikson based on the reinterpretation of the psychosexual phases developed by Sigmund Freud in which he highlighted the social aspects of each of them in four main facets:
Since Erikson receives many influences from the psychodynamic approach developed by Sigmund Freud and his followers at the beginning of the 20th century, he takes from it the idea that the human mind is characterized by opposing forces that “collide” with each other when responding to logic and motivational forces that are incompatible (as occurs in the Freudian concepts of Ego, Ego and Superego).
Therefore, Erikson’s stages of development are, in turn, the description of various types of conflicts between intrapsychic forces that characterize each of the phases of human life as we will see.
The discrepancy between Erik Erikson and Sigmund Freud
Erikson disagrees with Freud on the relevance that the latter gave to sexual development to explain the evolutionary development of the individual.
Erikson understands that the individual, as he passes through the different stages, he develops his consciousness thanks to social interaction
Characteristics of Erikson’s theory
Erikson also proposes a theory of competition. Each of the vital stages gives rise to the development of a series of skills
If in each of the new stages of life the person has achieved the competence corresponding to that vital moment, that person will experience a feeling of mastery that Erikson conceptualizes as ego strength Having acquired the competence helps to resolve the goals that will arise during the next life stage.
Another of the fundamental features of Erikson’s theory is that Each of the stages are determined by a conflict that allows individual development When the person manages to resolve each of the conflicts, they grow psychologically.
In the resolution of these conflicts the person finds a great potential for growth but on the other hand we can also find a great potential for failure if we cannot overcome the conflict typical of that life stage.
The 8 psychosocial stages according to Erik Erikson
We are going to summarize each of the eight psychosocial stages described by Erik Erikson.
1. Trust vs Distrust
This stage takes place from birth to eighteen months of life and it depends on the relationship or bond that has been created with the mother.
The relationship with the mother will determine the future bonds that will be established with people throughout their lives. It is the feeling of trust, vulnerability, frustration, satisfaction, security… that can determine the quality of relationships.
2. Autonomy vs Shame and doubt
This stadium begins from 18 months to 3 years of the child’s life.
During this stage the child undertakes his cognitive and muscular development, when he begins to control and exercise the muscles that are related to bodily excretions. This learning process can lead to moments of doubt and shame. Likewise, achievements at this stage trigger a feeling of autonomy and feeling like an independent body.
3. Initiative vs Guilt
This stadium travels from 3 to 5 years of age
The child begins to develop very quickly, both physically and intellectually. His interest in interacting with other children grows, testing his skills and abilities. Children are curious and it is positive to motivate them to develop creatively.
If parents react negatively to children’s questions or their initiative, it is likely that they will feel guilty.
4. Industriousness vs Inferiority
This stage occurs between 6-7 years old up to 12 years old
Children show a genuine interest in how things work and try to carry out many activities on their own, with their own efforts and putting their knowledge and skills to use. For this reason, the positive stimulation that the school, at home or through the peer group can offer, is so important. The latter begins to acquire transcendental relevance for them.
In the event that this is not welcomed or his failures motivate comparisons with others, the child may develop a certain feeling of inferiority that will make him feel insecure in front of others.
5. Identity Exploration vs. Identity Diffusion
This stadium takes place during adolescence At this stage, a question is asked insistently: who am I?
Adolescents begin to show more independence and distance themselves from their parents. They prefer to spend more time with their friends and begin to think about the future and decide what they want to study, what to work on, where to live, etc.
Exploring your own possibilities occurs at this stage. They begin to shore up their own identity based on their lived experiences. This search will cause them to feel confused on multiple occasions about their own identity.
6. Intimacy versus Isolation
This stage includes from 20 years to 40 approximately.
The way of relating to other people changes, the individual begins to prioritize more intimate relationships that offer and require a reciprocal commitment, an intimacy that generates a feeling of security, company, and trust.
If this type of intimacy is avoided, one may be bordering on loneliness or isolation, a situation that can end in depression.
7. Generativity versus Stagnation
This stage takes place between 40 and 60 years old
It is a period of life in which a person dedicates their time to their family. The search for balance between productivity and stagnation is prioritized; A productivity that is linked to the future, to the future of one’s own and the next generations, is the search for feeling needed by others, being and feeling useful.
Stagnation is that question that the individual asks: What am I doing here if it’s of no use?; He feels stagnant and cannot channel his efforts to be able to offer something to his loved ones or to the world.
8. Integrity of the self in the face of Despair
This stage occurs from age 60 until death
It is a time when the individual stops being productive, or at least does not produce as much as he or she was previously capable of. A stage in which life and the way of living are completely altered, friends and family die, one has to face the grief caused by old age, both in one’s own body and in that of others.
