Erikson’s Life-Span
Theory
Erickson’s Stages of Development

Erik Erikson proposed that humans develop a
personality in 8 psychosocial stages
 During each stage, we experience a particular
psychosocial crisis it must be resolved
positively or negatively
 Each outcome will have an effect on our ability to
deal with the next crisis
 According to Erickson the crisis at each stage of
development must be resolved positively before
one can successfully master subsequent stages
Erikson’s Eight Stages of Development
1. Trust vs.
Mistrust
(Infancy)
When all an infant's needs are met,
trust develops.
Parents who create supportive
2. Autonomy vs. environments allow toddlers to learn
self-sufficiency and gain confidence.
Shame
Overprotective or disapproving
(Toddlerhood)
parents can lead to children who
second-guess themselves.
Erikson’s Eight Stages of Development
Children who receive
encouragement and
consistent discipline gain
esteem while learning to take
chances. If children receive
3. Initiative vs. Guilt nothing but scolding, they
may develop an overriding
(Preschooler)
sense of guilt. Children at this
stage improve their motor
skills and become more
interested in social
interaction.
Erikson’s Eight Stages of Development
4. Industry vs. Doing well in school and making friends
Inferiority
helps children develop a sense of
(Elementary) competence or industry. Otherwise they
feel a sense of inadequacy.
If teens successfully answer the question,
5. Identity vs. "who am I?" they develop a strong sense
of self. If, however, they remain confused
Role Confusion about their identity, they will likely grow
(Adolescence)
up with an inability to make crucial
decisions.
Erikson’s Eight Stages of Development
Intimacy is possible with a more-or-less
6. Intimacy vs. solid sense of identity gained in earlier
Isolation
stages. If young adults still harbor doubts
about who they are, then they are likely
(Young
to become isolated, fear commitments,
Adulthood)
and root themselves in egocentrism.
Erikson’s Eight Stages of Development
Adults in this stage may dedicate their lives
to rearing children, to their work, or to some
7.
special cause, all in hope of leaving 'mark' on
the world. People resolve the conflict of
Generativity
generativity versus stagnation by giving
vs. Stagnation
something of themselves to future
(Middle
generations. If adults fail to make a
contribution to the world, they remain
Adulthood)
caught up in egoism and a self-centered
lifestyle.
Erikson’s Eight Stages of Development
8. Integrity vs.
Despair
(Late Adulthood)
At this time of life, adults look back on their lives and
evaluate their effect on the world. If the previous stages
have been resolved positively, adults are able to approach
their deaths from a healthy point of view. Otherwise, they
may fear death and regret their lives.
Summary




No one moves through all 8 stages with only
successes
Successes need to outnumber the failures
Can become stuck in a stage
Struggle to create a healthy personality is what
makes life satisfying