Erik Erikson

Erik Erikson (1902–1994) was influenced by Sigmund Freud’s work (see last post for information about this theorist).

Erik Erikson believed some of what Freud said to be true but rejected his proposition of psychosexual stages (as seeing in the previous post). Erikson instead suggested that individuals develop through psychosocial stages and therefore Erik Erikson worked in the psychosocial area of psychology.

Erik Erikson suggested that personality develops through the resolution of a series of eight major psychosocial stages occurring throughout the individual’s life. This was named ‘The Eight Ages of Man’ and is what Erikson is infamously known for. Each stage involves a different ‘crisis’ between the self and others which can result in a positive outcome. Erikson was more positive than Freud as he believed that negative outcomes in a stage could be resolved at a later date. The stages are as follows:

     Trust Vs. Mistrust (0-1 year)

     Autonomy Vs. Shame and Doubt (1-2 years)

     Initiative Vs. Guilt (3-5 years)

     Industry Vs. Inferiority (6-12 years)

     Identity Vs. Role Confusion (12-20 years)

     Intimacy Vs. Isolation (20-40 years)

     Generativity Vs. Stagnation (40-65 years)

     Integrity – Despair (65+ years )