Erik EriksonPrepared by Kristel Rose B. Magluyan

Erik Homburger Erikson

Ψ Born on June 15, 1902 in Germany.Ψ His father, a Danish Protestant, and his mother, a Danish Jew, separated before he was born, and he grew up in the home of his mother and German Jewish step, father, Theodre Homburger, a pediatrician.Ψ In 1933, he immigrated to the United States.Ψ He worked at the Austen Riggs Center in Massachusetts and conducted research at Harvard, Yale and University of California.Ψ In 1950, he published his book Childhood and Society.

Ψ After Sigmund Freud’s death, Erikson elaborated and extended the structure of psychoanalysis laid down by Freud.Ψ He added to Freud’s theory of infantile sexuality by concentrating on children’s development beyond puberty.

“If everything goes back into childhood, then everything is somebody else’s fault and taking responsibility for oneself is

undermined.”

Epigenetic Principle

Ψ His epigenetic principle holds that development takes place in sequential, clearly defined stages , and that each stage

must be adequately resolved for a smooth flow of development.

According to epigenetic model, if successful resolution of a particular stage does not occur, all subsequent stages reflect

the failure in the form of physical, cognitive, social or emotional maladjustment.

The Psychosocial Theory of Development

Ψ Eight stages of the life cycleIn his theory, he presented his conception of eight

stages of ego development across the life cycle. Each stage of development, are with their respective developmental tasks, which he termed as crises, which are needed to be resolved to attain growth and development of specific virtues.

Ψ Crisis It refers no to a “threat of catastrophe, but to a turning

point, a crucial period of increased vulnerability and heightened potential, and therefore, the ontogenic source of generational strength and maladjustment.”

Ψ virtues They are said to be the psychosocial strength that helps

the individual through the rest of the stages of development.

Ψ A malignancy involves too little of the positive and too much of the negative aspect of the task, and a maladaptation means too much of the positive and too little of the negative.

Ψ mutuality - interactions of generation

Ψ ritualizationA playful and yet culturally patterned way of doing or

experiencing something in the daily interplay of individuals.

The First Stage: Trust vs. Mistrust (Birth to about 18 months old)

Ψ Crisis: Trust Vs. Mistrust

Ψ Significant relations: Mother

Ψ Psychosocial virtue: Hope

Ψ Maladjustment: Sensory Distortion

Ψ Malignancy: Withdrawal

Ψ Ritualization: Numinous Ritualization

The Second Stage: Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt (About 18 months to

about 3 years)

Ψ Crisis: Autonomy Vs. Shame and Doubt

Ψ Significant relations: Parents/Caretakers

Ψ Psychosocial virtue: Willpower/Determination

Ψ Maladjustment: Impulsivity

Ψ Malignancy: Compulsion

Ψ Ritualization: Judicious

The Third Stage: Initiative vs. Guilt (about 3 years to about 5

years)

Ψ Crisis: Initiative Vs. Guilt

Ψ Significant relations: Family

Ψ Psychosocial virtue: Purpose

Ψ Maladjustment: Ruthlessness

Ψ Malignancy: Inhibition

Ψ Ritualization: Dramatic

The Fourth Stage: Industry vs. Inferiority (About 5 years to about

13 years)

Ψ Crisis: Industry Vs. Inferiority

Ψ Significant relations: Neighborhood and School

Ψ Psychosocial virtue: Competence

Ψ Maladjustment: Narrow Virtuosity

Ψ Malignancy: Inertia

Ψ Ritualization: Formal

The Fifth Stage: Identity vs. Role Confusion (about 13 to 21 years)

Ψ Crisis: Identity Vs. Role Confusion

Ψ Significant relations: Peer Groups/ Role Model

Ψ Psychosocial virtue: Fidelity

Ψ Maladjustment: Fanaticism

Ψ Malignancy: Repudiation

Ψ Ritualization: Ideology

The Sixth Stage: Intimacy vs. Isolation (about 21 years to 40

years)Ψ Crisis: Intimacy Vs. Isolation

Ψ Significant relations: Partners, Friends

Ψ Psychosocial virtue: Love

Ψ Maladjustment: Promiscuity

Ψ Malignancy: Exclusion

Ψ Ritualization: Affiliative

The Seventh Stage: Generativity vs. Stagnation (about 40 years to about 60

years)Ψ Crisis: Generativity Vs. Stagnation

Ψ Significant relations: Household, workmates

Ψ Psychosocial virtue: Care

Ψ Maladjustment: Overextension

Ψ Malignancy: Rejectivity

Ψ Ritualization: Generational

The Eight Stage: Integrity vs. Despair (About 60 years to death)

 Ψ Crisis: Integrity Vs. Despair

Ψ Significant relations: Mankind or “My Kind”

Ψ Psychosocial virtue: Wisdom

Ψ Maladjustment: Presumption

Ψ Malignancy: Disdain

Ψ Ritualization: Integral

Thank you for listening!