Erikson's Developmental Stages

[Tamrin]

The Developmental Stages of Erik Erikson

[by Arlene F. Harder - Excerpt - Linked Above]

Our personality traits come in opposites. We think of ourselves as optimistic or pessimistic, independent or dependent, emotional or unemotional, adventurous or cautious, leader or follower, aggressive or passive. Many of these are inborn temperament traits, but other characteristics, such as feeling either competent or inferior, appear to be learned, based on the challenges and support we receive in growing up.

The man who did a great deal to explore this concept is Erik Erikson. Although he was influenced by Freud, he believed that the ego exists from birth and that behavior is not totally defensive. Based in part on his study of Sioux Indians on a reservation, Erikson became aware of the massive influence of culture on behavior and placed more emphasis on the external world, such as depression and wars. He felt the course of development is determined by the interaction of the body (genetic biological programming), mind (psychological), and cultural (ethos) influences.

He organized life into eight stages that extend from birth to death (many developmental theories only cover childhood). Since adulthood covers a span of many years, Erikson divided the stages of adulthood into the experiences of young adults, middle aged adults and older adults. While the actual ages may vary considerably from one stage to another, the ages seem to be appropriate for the majority of people.

Erikson's basic philosophy might be said to rest on two major themes: (1) the world gets bigger as we go along and (2) failure is cumulative. While the first point is fairly obvious, we might take exception to the last. True, in many cases an individual who has to deal with horrendous circumstances as a child may be unable to negotiate later stages as easily as someone who didn't have as many challenges early on. For example, we know that orphans who weren't held or stroked as infants have an extremely hard time connecting with others when they become adults and have even died from lack of human contact.

[Tamrin]

I have long been an admirer of the elegance of Erikson's stages of development, with each building on the success (or failure) of the earlier stage. Consider how many trying stages a child goes through to adulthood and beyond and consider too the dismal alternatives:

• The first stage, that of trust vs mistrust, has an infant crying loudly for attention and over time either becoming calmer, in the certainty that it is cared for; or becoming silent, knowing it is not, and often resulting in a failure to thrive.
  
• The second stage, that of autonomy vs shame and doubt, known as the "terrible twos," where the child seems to delight in shouting "No!" for no better reason than that it can and in doing so comes to establish itself as an autonomous person rather than a vestige of its parents; with the alternative being a sense of shame and doubt about notions of its independence.
  
• The third stage, that of initiative vs guilt, where children test their boundaries, taking risks and paying the consequences; or retreating into a safe but insular world and being made to feel guilty for every expression of initiative (that nice, quite child in the corner may not be as well adapted as the horror characterised by Calvin in Calvin and Hobbes).
  
• The fourth stage, that of industry vs inferiority, where a older child searches for subjects and projects to which they can apply their energies and excel; or, if discouraged, be left feeling inferior and incompetent.
  
• The fifth stage, that of identity vs role confusion, where an adolescent, is crying out "Me! Me! Me!" trying out a different persona, hairstyle or attitude every second week, trying to settle on an identity with which they are comfortable; or being left wondering just who they are and how they fit in.
  
• The sixth stage, that of intimacy vs isolation, a time of many broken hearts and, hopeful, resulting in an enduring, intimate relationship; failing which one may well remain isolated.
  
• The seventh stage, that of generativity vs stagnation, where the mature adult seeks to contribute to a better world, with meaningful work and by setting a positive example; or remaining stagnating in a rut with no sense of purpose or direction in life.
  
• The eighth and final stage, that of integrity vs despair, where one is led by principles and, if called upon, would even be ready to die for them; or one ends their days in bitter, pointless despair.

Thus, if all proceeds aright, one begins by putting their FAITH in the trustfulness of others; somewhere along the way, one comes to HOPE and aspire to be like those whom they trusted; and finally, one achieves that hope, becoming a source of CHARITY, a pillar of integrity in whom trust (upon which the infant depended) is well placed: One may readily apply the symbolism of Jacobs's Ladder to life's journey.

[jeffreyburdick]

Erik Erikson was a great writer thanks for talking about their life. I will read and learn all 8 development stages theories written by Erik Erikson. But I personally like intimacy vs isolation theory. In this theory, Erik defines very well and this theory shows Erik real written style. If you can't read this theory so I think you can't read anything.