Forum thinkpiece: Erikson's psychosocial theory of identity
Erik Erikson's theory of psychosocial development is one of the best-known theories of personality in
psychology. Much like Sigmund Freud, Erikson believed that personality develops in a series of stages.
Unlike Freud's theory of psychosexual stages, Erikson's theory describes the impact of social experience
across the whole lifespan. One of the main elements of Erikson's psychosocial stage theory is the
development of ego identity. Ego identity is the conscious sense of self that we develop through social
interaction. According to Erikson, our ego identity is constantly changing due to new experiences and
information we acquire in our daily interactions with others.
When psychologists talk about identity, they are referring to all of the beliefs, ideals, and values that help
shape and guide a person's behavior. The formation of identity is something that begins in childhood and
becomes particularly important during adolescence, but it is a process that continues throughout life. Our
personal identity gives each of us an integrated and cohesive sense of self that endures and continues to
grow as we age.
In addition to ego identity, Erikson also believed that a sense of competence motivates behaviours and
actions. Each stage in Erikson's theory is concerned with becoming competent in an area of life. If the
stage is handled well, the person will feel a sense of mastery, which is sometimes referred to as ego
strength or ego quality. If the stage is managed poorly, the person will emerge with a sense of
inadequacy. In each stage, Erikson believed people experience a conflict that serves as a turning point in
development. In Erikson's view, these conflicts are centered on either developing a psychological quality
or failing to develop that quality. During these times, the potential for personal growth is high, but so is the
potential for failure.
Below is a broad introduction to the main features of Erikson's model. This summary attempts to show the
main points of the Erikson psychosocial crisis theory of human development.
Erikson's
psychosocial
crisis stages
life stage / relationships / issues
1. Trust v
Mistrust
2. Autonomy v
Shame & Doubt
3. Initiative v
Guilt
4. Industry v
Inferiority
5. Identity v
Role Confusion
6. Intimacy v
Isolation
7. Generativity
v Stagnation
8. Integrity v
Despair
infant / mother / feeding and being comforted,
teething, sleeping
toddler / parents / bodily functions, toilet training,
muscular control, walking
preschool / family / exploration and discovery,
adventure and play
schoolchild / school, teachers, friends,
neighbourhood / achievement and accomplishment
adolescent / peers, groups, influences / resolving
identity and direction, becoming a grown-up
young adult / lovers, friends, work connections /
intimate relationships, work and social life
mid-adult / children, community / 'giving back',
helping, contributing
late adult / society, the world, life / meaning and
purpose, life achievements
basic virtue and
second named
strength (potential
positive outcomes
from each crisis)
Hope and Drive
maladaptation / malignancy (potential
negative outcome - one or the other - from
unhelpful experience during each crisis)
Willpower and SelfControl
Purpose and Direction
Impulsivity / Compulsion
Competence and
Method
Fidelity and Devotion
Narrow Virtuosity / Inertia
Love and Affiliation
Promiscuity / Exclusivity
Care and Production
Overextension / Rejectivity
Wisdom and
Renunciation
Presumption / Disdain
Sensory Distortion / Withdrawal
Ruthlessness / Inhibition
Fanaticism / Repudiation