Erikson's Stages of Psychosocial Development Theory

1. My definition: Erikson's theory consist of eight stages that are necessary for life's encounters. These stages refer to psychological crisis's that humans are bound to go through. They handle these situations one way or the other. How they handle these situations, affect and determine how the next stage will go. These stages determine one's personality and identity.

2. History

2.1. Across time Erikson's theory has been used to build one's ego and role in this world of ours. "The ego strength of hope emerges from trust vs. mistrust in infancy, will emerges from autonomy vs. shame/doubt and purpose from initiative vs. guilt in early childhood, competence emerges from industry vs. inferiority during latency, fidelity emerges from identity vs. identity confusion in adolescence, love emerges from intimacy vs. isolation in young adulthood, care emerges from generativity vs. stagnation in adulthood, and wisdom emerges from integrity vs. despair in later adulthood..."( Sabino & Berman p2 ). Each stage latches onto the other which is why it has such a huge impact on our lives. Markstrom, C. A., Sabino, V. M., Turner, B. J., & Berman, R. C. (1997). The psychosocial inventory of ego strengths: Development and validation of a new Eriksonian measure. Journal of youth and adolescence, 26(6), 705-732. https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1022348709532

2.2. Erikson's theory was first proposed in 1950 in his book, "Childhood and Society". He studied child development at the Vienna Psychoanalytic Institute. "He advanced the idea that children are not simply biological organisms that endure, nor products of the psyche in isolation. Rather, they develop in the context of society’s expectations, prohibitions, and prejudices." (Erikson's Institute p4). It's a thory that doesn't just describe children, and humans, as being alive. Yet, they have a purpose and go through these certain types of stages that make them out to be certain adults. Erik Erikson - Erikson Institute (2021).

2.3. Investigating Erikson's theory has been useful to society because it's helped understand where identity comes from. Now, it can come from many different places, but this is a clear explanation. Say one experiences mistrust in early childhood, they wont know how to trust others when growing up. They could get into a relationship and the love fails because of the lack of trust. Every stage is essential to the next. "According to Erikson (1968), identity formation begins when the usefulness of identification ends. Taking on characteristics of others no longer provides satisfaction; the individual experiences a desire to shape his or her world in unique ways. Identity formation begins with a synthesis of childhood skills, beliefs, and identifications into a coherent, unique whole that provides continuity with the past and direction for the future..." (Sokol, J.T, p3). Identity is one of the most important factors in today's society. It's what makes people distinctive in this world. Sokol, J. T. (2009). Identity development throughout the lifetime: An examination of Eriksonian theory. Graduate journal of counseling psychology, 1(2), 14. https://epublications.marquette.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?referer=https://scholar.google.com/&httpsredir=1&article=1030&context=gjcp