Social Identity – Erik Erikson Theory

Our social identity is who we are as person, as an individual but also as

part of a group. This means there are many different factors during our
lives that add to developing our social identity. Many psychologists have
looked at this area. Freud believed our identity was formed by age 5.
However Erik Erikson came up with his stage theory which underlined
Freud’s idea. Erikson’s stage theory shows development through our
entire life.
Erikson’s theory has 8 stages, they are in order as follows Basic Trust
vs. Mistrust, Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt, Initiative vs. Guilt,
Industry vs. Inferiority, Identity vs. Role Confusion, Intimacy vs.
Isolation, Generativity vs. Stagnation, Ego Integrity vs. Despair. Erikson
believed that the successful outcome of each stage would provide a
certain virtue for life.
The first stage is during infancy. It is the discovery of whether ones
caregiver is reliable or not. Erikson felt that if trust were formed it would
lead to hope as a virtue. Soon after, as a toddler the second stage is
experienced where the child needs to explore the world a little. Here a
compromise between parents being smothering and neglectful is needed.
If a balance is found the child should develop a healthy, strong will.
Shortly after this the third stage occurs, here the goal is for the child to
find a purpose. In order to achieve this they must start doing certain
things and making decisions themselves without feeling guilty. The final
stage of childhood is between 6 and puberty. They begin to compare
themselves to others, hopefully becoming competent. During this stage
encouragement from teachers is important.
The fifth stage is the beginning stages within adulthood. It occurs as a
teenager when the child begins to ask ‘who am I’ and finds where to fit
in. They must be allowed to discover themselves in order to develop
fidelity, this will be hindered if parents try and push them in a certain
direction. They then move on to the sixth stage, which will determine the
direction of their love life. They begin considering whether or not they
want a relationship or to live alone. This stage is extended today as many
choose to continue education and career pursuit.
The next stage does not occur until middle adulthood. People question
whether they are satisfied with life fulfilment. This is especially
influenced by life changes around this time such as children leaving
home. For those who have difficulty with this stage, the ‘mid-life crisis’
can happen. The final stage happens in late adulthood, 60 to death. Those
who are satisfied have wisdom and are content with life. Others question
mistakes they have made, focusing on these and experiencing despair,
wondering was it all worth it.
 Erikson’s theory has a strong argument, many of us can relate to it
therefore it is difficult to dispute. Although Freud influenced his work, he
has given good reason to show our identities continue to develop through
life. It is important to realise however the stages are guidelines and are
bound to vary between individuals.