Erikson's Theory

of Psychosocial
Development
• 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.
• 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.
• In addition to ego identity, Erikson
also believed that a sense of
competence motivates behaviors
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.
Psychosocial Stage 1 - 
Trust vs.Mistrust
The first stage of
Erikson's theory of
psychosocial
development occurs
between birth and
one year of age and is
the most
fundamental stage in
life.
• Because an infant is utterly dependent,
the development of trust is based on the
dependability and quality of the child's
caregivers.

• If a child successfully develops trust, he or

she will feel safe and secure in the world.
Caregivers who are inconsistent,
emotionally unavailable, or rejecting
contribute to feelings of mistrust in the
children they care for. Failure to develop
trust will result in fear and a belief that
the world is inconsistent and
unpredictable.
• Psychosocial
Conflict: Trust vs Mistrust

• Major Question: "Can I

trust the people around
me?"

• Basic Virtue: Hope

• Important Event(s): Feeding
The trust versus mistrust stage is
the first stage of Erik Erikson’s
theory of psychosocial development
. This stage occurs between birth
and approximately 18 months of
age. According to Erikson, the trust
versus mistrust stage is the most
important period in a person’s life.
• Because an infant is entirely
dependent upon his or her
caregivers, the quality of care that
the child receives plays an
important role in the shaping of the
child’s personality. During this
stage, children learn whether or not
they can trust the people around
them. When a baby cries, does his
caregiver attend to his needs? When
he is frightened, will someone
comfort him?
• When these needs are consistently
met, the child will learn that he can
trust the people that are caring for
him. If, however, these needs are
not consistently met, the child will
begin to mistrust the people around
him.
• If a child successfully develops trust,
he or she will feel safe and secure in
the world. Caregivers who are
inconsistent, emotionally unavailable
or rejecting contribute to feelings of
mistrust in the children they care for.
Failure to develop trust will result in
fear and a belief that the world is
inconsistent and unpredictable.
 Psychosocial Stage 2 –
 
Autonomy vs.• The
Shame and
second stage of
Doub
Erikson's theory of
psychosocial
development takes
place during early
childhood and is focused
on children developing a
greater sense of personal
control.
 
• Like Freud, Erikson believed
that toilet training was a vital
part of this process. However,
Erikson's reasoning was quite
different then that of Freud's.
Erikson believe that learning to
control one's bodily functions
leads to a feeling of control and
a sense of independence.
• Other important events include
gaining more control over food
choices, toy preferences, and
clothing selection.
• Children who successfully
complete this stage feel secure
and confident, while those who
do not are left with a sense of
inadequacy and self-doubt.
• Psychosocial Conflict: Autonomy
versus Shame and Doubt

• Major Question: "Can I do things

myself or am I reliant on the
help of others?"

• Basic Virtue: Will

• Important Event(s): Toilet Training
• Autonomy versus shame and doubt is the
second stage of Erik Erikson’sstages of 
psychosocial development. This stage
occurs between the ages of 18 months to
approximately age two to three years.
According to Erikson, children at this
stage are focused on developing a greater
sense of self-control.
• Children who successfully complete this
stage feel secure and confident, while
those who do not are left with a sense of
inadequacy and self-doubt.
Psychosocial Stage 3 - 
Initiative vs. Guilt
• During the preschool years,
children begin to assert their
power and control over the
world through directing play
and other social interactions.
•
Children who are successful at
this stage feel capable and
able to lead others. Those who
fail to acquire these skills are
left with a sense of guilt, self-
doubt, and lack of initiative.
• Psychosocial
Conflict: Initiative versus
Guilt

• Major Question: “Am I

good or bad?”

• Basic Virtue: Purpose

• Important Event(s): Exploration,
Play
• Initiative versus guilt is the third
stage of Erik Erikson’s theory of
psychosocial development. This
stage occurs during the preschool
years, between the ages of three
and five. During the initiative
versus guilt stage, children begin to
assert their power and control over
the world through directing play
and other social interaction.
• Play and imagination takes on an
important role at this stage. Children
have their sense of initiative reinforced
by being given the freedom and
encouragement to play. When efforts
to engage in physical and imaginative
play are stifled by caregivers, children
begin to feel that their self-initiated
efforts are a source of embarrassment.
Success in this stage leads to a sense of
purpose, while failure results in a sense
of guilt.
 Psychosocial Stage 4 –
  Industry vs. Inferiority
• This stage covers the
early school years from
approximately age 5 to
11.

• Through social
interactions, children
begin to develop a sense
of pride in their
accomplishments and
abilities.
• Psychosocial Conflict: Industry
versus Inferiority

• Major Question: "How can I be

good?"

• Basic Virtue: Competence

• Important Event(s): School
• Industry versus inferiority is the fourth
stage of Erik Erikson'stheory of 
psychosocial development. The stage
occurs during childhood between the
ages of six and eleven. School and social
interaction play an important role
during this time of a child’s life. Through
social interactions, children begin to
develop a sense of pride in their
accomplishments and abilities.
• During the industry versus inferiority
stage, children become capable of
performing increasingly complex tasks.
As a result, they strive to master new
skills. Children who are encouraged and
commended by parents and teachers
develop a feeling of competence and
belief in their skills. Those who receive
little or no encouragement from parents,
teachers, or peers will doubt their
ability to be successful.
• According to Erikson, this stage is vital
in the development of self-confidence.
During school and other social
activities, children receive praise and
attention for performing various tasks
such as reading, writing, drawing and
solving problems. Children need to cope
with new social and academic
demands. Success leads to a sense of
competence, while failure results in
feelings of inferiority.
Psychosocial Stage 5 - 
Identity vs. Confusion
• During adolescence, children explore
their independence and develop a
sense of self.
• Those who receive proper
encouragement and reinforcement
through personal exploration will
emerge from this stage with a strong
sense of self and a feeling of
independence and control. Those
who remain unsure of their beliefs
and desires will feel insecure and
confused about themselves and the
future.
 
• Psychosocial 
Conflict: Identity 
Versus Confusion

• Major Question: "Who 
am I?"

• Basic Virtue: Fidelity
• Important Event(s): Social Relationships
• Identity versus confusion is the fifth
stage of Erik Erikson's theory of 
psychosocial development. This stage
occurs during adolescence between the
ages of approximately 12 to 18. Teens
need to develop a sense of self and
personal identity. During adolescence,
children are exploring their
independence and developing a sense of
self.
• Those who receive proper
encouragement and reinforcement
through personal exploration will
emerge from this stage with a strong
sense of self and a feeling of
independence and control. Those who
remain unsure of their beliefs and
desires will insecure and confused
about themselves and the future.
Psychosocial Stage 6 –
  Intimacy vs. Isolation
• This stage covers the period of
early adulthood when people
are exploring personal
relationships.

• Erikson believed it was vital

that people develop close,
committed relationships with
other people. Those who are
successful at this step will
form relationships that are
committed and secure.
• Psychosocial 
Conflict: Intimacy Versus 
Isolation

• Major Question: "Will I be 
loved or will I be alone?“

• Basic Virtue: Love
• Important Event(s): Romantic
Relationships
• Intimacy versus isolation is the
sixth stage of Erik Erikson's theory
of psychosocial development. This
stage takes place during young
adulthood between the ages of
approximately 19 and 40. During
this period of time, the major
conflict centers on forming
intimate, loving relationships with
other people.
• Erikson believed it was vital that
people develop close, committed
relationships with other people.
Success leads to strong
relationships, while failure
results in loneliness and
isolation.
 Psychosocial Stage 7 - 
Generativity vs. Stagnation
• During adulthood, we
continue to build our lives,
focusing on our career and
family.

• Those who are successful

during this phase will feel
that they are contributing to
the world by being active in
their home and community.
Those who fail to attain this
skill will feel unproductive
and uninvolved in the world.
• Psychosocial 
Conflict: Generativity 
Versus Stagnation

• Major Question: "How can I 
contribute to the world?"

• Basic Virtue: Care
• Important Event(s): Parenthood and Work
• Generativity versus stagnation is the
seventh stage of Erik Erikson’s theory
ofpsychosocial development. This stage
takes place during middle adulthood
between the ages of approximately 40 and
65. During this time, adults strive to create
or nurture things that will outlast them;
often by having children or contributing to
positive changes that benefits other people.
• Contributing to society and doing
things to benefit future
generations are important needs
at the generativity versus
stagnation stage of development.
Generativity refers to "making
your mark" on the world, through
caring for others, creating things
and accomplishing things that
make the world a better place.
• Stagnation refers to the failure to find a
way to contribute. These individuals may
feel disconnected or uninvolved with their
community and with society as a whole.
• Those who are successful during this phase
will feel that they are contributing to the
world by being active in their home and
community. Those who fail to attsain this
skill will feel unproductive and uninvolved
in the world.
Psychosocial Stage 8 - 
Integrity vs. Despair
• This phase occurs during old age
and is focused on reflecting back
on life.

• Those who are unsuccessful

during this stage will feel that
their life has been wasted and
will experience many regrets.
The individual will be left with
feelings of bitterness and
despair.
• Those who feel proud of their
accomplishments will feel a sense
of integrity. Successfully
completing this phase means
looking back with few regrets
and a general feeling of
satisfaction. These individuals
will attain wisdom, even when
confronting death.
• Psychosocial
Conflict: Integrity versus
despair

• Major Question: "Did I live a

meaningful life?“

• Basic Virtue: Wisdom

• Important Event(s): Reflecting back on
life
• Integrity versus despair is the eighth
and final stage of Erik Erikson's theory
ofpsychosocial development. This stage
occurs during late adulthood from age
65 through the end of life. During this
period of time, people reflect back on
the life they have lived and come away
with either a sense of fulfillment from
a life well lived or a sense of regret and
despair over a life misspent.
• Those who feel proud of their
accomplishments will feel a sense
of integrity. Successfully
completing this phase means
looking back with few regrets and
a general feeling of satisfaction.
These individuals will attain
wisdom, even when confronting
death.
• Those who feel proud of their
accomplishments will feel a sense
of integrity. Successfully
completing this phase means
looking back with few regrets and
a general feeling of satisfaction.
These individuals will attain
wisdom, even when confronting
death.
• Those who are unsuccessful during
this phase will feel that their life
has been wasted and will
experience many regrets. The
individual will be left with
feelings of bitterness and despair.
•Thank you
and
Godbless 