Running head: ERIK ERIKSON AND PSYCHOSOCIAL DEVELOPMENT

Erik Erikson and Psychosocial Development

Hailey L. Maupin
Ivy Tech Community College

ERIK ERIKSON AND PSYCHOSOCIAL DEVELOPMENT

Erik Erikson and Psychosocial Development

Erik Erikson was born in Frankfurt, Germany in 1902. Erikson did not know his father
and was raised by his mother and stepfather, Karla Abrahamsen and Theodor Homburger who
got married in 1905. Erikson seemed to have struggled with his identity development. Erikson
always felt as if his stepfather did not accept him as his own child like he did his daughters.
Erickson was raised in the Jewish Religion. He was a tall, blond, blue-eyed boy at a temple
school who was often teased for his appearance and for being Jewish. Ericksons main interests
were art, history and languages, but he was not interested in school much. After graduating from
school Eriksons stepfather had hoped that he would attend medical school, but instead Erikson
attended art school like he wanted, but soon dropped out. Erikson was not sure where he fit into
society (goodtherepy.org, 2013, p1).
While doing some tutoring in Vienna, Italy for a small school where parents were
undergoing psychoanalysis by Sigmund Freud, Erikson met Freuds daughter Anna. This helped
Erikson decide that he wanted to pursue in the field of psychoanalysis. Erikson studied child
development at the Vienna Psychoanalytic Institute through the Montessori method. This method
focused on psychosexual and developmental stages. Erikson eventually earned a diploma from
the institute, but did not receive a degree. Eriksons knowledge was based on experiences and
extensive reading (goodtherepy.org, 2013, p1).
In 1930 Erikson married Joan Serson who was a dancer and artist. Joan helped Erikson
develop his psychosocial development theory. Erikson believed that a personality is developed in
stages. His theory explains the way that different experiences throughout ones life have an effect
on his or her personality (Cherry, 2010, p1). There are eight stages in Eriksons theory.

ERIK ERIKSON AND PSYCHOSOCIAL DEVELOPMENT

While doing this project I will have a better understanding of the things that my students
have been through and how these things are effecting them. This allows me to see things from a
childs perspective. I will know some of the things that they are thinking and I will know some of
the goals that they personally have for themselves and hopefully I can help them achieve them
successfully. I have learned a few things about myself while doing my research for this project. I
have realized how important it is to see things from the students point of view and what kind of
things they are trying to accomplish that will mold them into the future adults they will become.
TRUST vs. MISTRUST The Infancy Period
Eriksons first stage takes place 0-18 months. During this time a child should be learning
to trust the person or people that surround him or her on a daily basis. If a child does not trust the
people he or she is with he or she may find the world to be a dangerous place. This all depends
on the child getting the sensitive nurturing care he or she needs. Children are not expected to
have 100 percent trust or 100 percent doubt. Erikson believed that to be successful in this stage
you must find a balance between the two. According to Erikson, this allows children to acquire
hope (Cherry, 2010, p1). During this stage in my own life I was very trusting of those around me.
I was with the same people everyday. I lived in a home with my grandma, my mom, my dad and
my two brothers. I saw my moms side of the family often too. I was very trusting with these
people and I was a very happy baby. I loved to crawl around and try to talk to everyone. When
my family would go to the store or even on a shopping trip I was a very social baby. I would
laugh and smile and play with the people that were around us. I was not afraid to make friends in
public. During this time my mom worked in a factory in Indianapolis and she had late night
hours. My parents made sure that I was on a schedule and I went to bed around the same time
every night, because of this I often would not have my mom put me to bed and say goodnight to

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me as much as I would have liked. This was hard for me as a baby. I would have rather had my
mom there every single night to put me to bed and read me a bedtime story. I understand that she
was working hard for our family, but as a baby I was confused and just wanted my mom. I
believe that this stage was successfully completed in my own personal life. I trusted everyone
that surrounded me, but I was not able to trust my mom to put me to bed every night and read my
bedtime story. Through this balance of trusting and not trusting completely gave me hope. I
would hope that my mom would be laying me down for bed instead of anyone else.
AUTONOMY vs. SHAME AND DOUBT Early Childhood
The second stage takes place between 18 months and 3 years old. In this stage Erikson
believed that the most important thing was to learn to be potty trained. Learning to control ones
bodily functions gives children a sense of independence or it can give he or she a feeling of deep
shame (goodtherepy.org, 2013, p1). Another thing that takes place is letting children make his or
her own food choices and picking out clothes to wear for the day. This stage is also known for
the phrase, Let me do it! Children love to make choices themselves. Children who finish this
stage successfully will have a secure and confident feeling. Those who do not finish well will be
left with a feeling of self-doubt. Erikson also believed that reaching a balance between autonomy
and shame and doubt would lead children to act with intention (Cherry, 2010, p1). During this
stage of my own life I was allowed to make choices for myself. I would pick out my own outfits
and my family would allow me to wear them wherever we went, even though sometimes they
should not have let me leave the house. I would also tell stories that I had made up. I would dress
up as a character from my story and I would walk room to room around the house and tell the
story from this characters point of view. This was something that I did quite often and my family
let me make all of the decisions on what went into my story and who was in my story. I was also

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allowed to help my parents wash dishes and fold towels that had just been washed. I was very
easy potty trained. My parents have told me that it only took about three or four weeks to have
me completely trained. I started telling them to change my diaper because I did not like the
feeling of a wet diaper. Then, I had a potty chair that I would use sometimes. Eventually my
parents sat my on a normal sized toilet and I was not afraid. My parents have told me that I loved
it! I think that I successfully completed this stage with the help of my family. Without my parents
allowing me to make choices for myself I may not have completed it the way that I did.
INITATIVE vs. GUILT Preschool years
Eriksons third stage covers children that are three to six years old. During these years
children should be able to make choices for himself/herself and should be exploring the
environments that surround him or her and should discover that he or she can do things alone
without the help of an adult. If the child feels guilty about his or her own choices then the child
will not function well. Erikson had a positive outlook on this stage. He believed that most guilt is
quickly compensated by a sense of accomplishment (goodtherepy.org, 2013, p1). Children who
are successful during this stage will feel competent and able to lead others. Those who fail to
obtain these skills are left with a sense of guilt, self-doubt, and lack of initiative. When an ideal
balance of individual initiative and a willingness to work with others is achieved, the ego quality
known as purpose emerges (Cherry, 2010, p1). When I was in this stage I was able to make many
of my own decisions, especially when it came to dressing myself in the mornings. My parents
were not worried about the way people would view them because I may have looked very silly
some days due to choosing my own outfits. My parents realized that making my own choices
was very important. I was often given choices. I could choose between two or three things and
this gave my parents some control without me choosing things that would not have not have a

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good result. Through this I was able to gain independence that was appropriate for my age, but
still made me feel confident in my choices. I also worked very well with other children. I was put
in preschool at age three. I was always around other children at school, so working with other
children felt natural to me and I could easily communicate and lead others. I believe that I was
very successful in this stage. I feel as if I was successful in this stage because my parents were
very open for me to make my own choices. Whether I made mistakes or not they still supported
my decisions and let me learn from them. I was also able to work well with others and I felt
comfortable being a leader in a group.
INDUSTRY vs. INFERIORITY School Age
This stage takes place from ages six to eleven. During this stage children are often
comparing self-worth to others in class or other children that they may come in to contact with.
During this stage children will either develop a sense of industry and work ethic or feelings of
incompetence (goodtherepy.org, 2013, p1). During this stage a child can recognize major
disparities in personal abilities relative to other children. Erikson places emphasis on the teacher.
The teacher should make sure that students to not feel inferior. Children that are encouraged by
teachers and family members develop feelings of competence and will believe in the skills that
he or she has. Those who receive little or no encouragement from family members and teachers
and even peers will doubt their abilities to be successful. Erikson believed that when a balance in
this stage of psychosocial development leads to the strength known as competence or a belief in
our own abilities to handle the tasks that are given to them (Cherry, 2010, p1). When I was going
through this stage my parents and family members were always sure to tell me how great my
work was or how proud I was making them by working as hard as I could. I was always open to
talking to friends that I had made through school about our work and we were always sharing

ERIK ERIKSON AND PSYCHOSOCIAL DEVELOPMENT

how well we had done. Everyone wanted to have the best work. All of my teachers except for a
few were very supportive and was sure to make everyone feel comfortable and equal. My fourth
grade teacher was always sure to point out when someone made a mistake and this made my
classmates and I feel horrible about the work that we had done most of the time. I also had a
teacher my freshman year in algebra that told me that I would never make it in college because I
did not want to work hard enough and I was not smart enough to make it. This made me feel very
unconfident in my work in that class. I would say when I finished this stage I had a good
balance. I knew how great it felt to be praised for good work and I also knew how bad it felt
when someone told me that I could not do something or I was not smart enough. Both of these
feelings gave me a good balance.
IDENTITY vs. ROLE CONFUSION Adolescence
In Eriksons Fifth stage covers children twelve to eighteen. In this stage
children are often asking themselves Who am I? How do I fit in? Where
am I going in life? Children will be exploring their independence and will be
developing and learning who he or she is. Those who receive proper
encouragement through personal exploration will leave this stage with a
strong sense of self. He or she will have a feeling of independence and
control. Those who leave the stage unsure of his or her beliefs and desires
will end up feeling confused and insecure about the future. Completing this
stage successfully leads to fidelity, which Erikson described as an ability to
live by societys standards and expectations (Cherry, 2010, p1). During this stage in
my own life I went through many different feelings and emotions. In seventh grade I had a very
dark time when I was not sure what my purpose in life was. I had no idea why I was put on Earth

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and I was completely tired of feeling the bad feelings that I had inside. I was very suicidal.
Eventually my parents found out and were very sure to let me know that I was loved and that I
had a very important role in their lives and I would be someone important one day. I was able to
recover from such a dark time in my life because of my parents being so open and not being
judgmental about the situation that I was in. My parents were very laid back about many things
while I was growing up and one of those things was letting me making my own decisions. I was
able to do things that I wanted to do that were reasonable. I could explore the way that different
choices led to different consequences. I was able to live and learn from the mistakes that I made
instead of my parents protecting me way too much and not letting me learn things for myself. I
believe that I will leave this stage completely successful. In this stage I have been through some
very dark times, but with the help of my parents and my family I have also been able to see some
very bright and beautiful times. Finishing this stage successfully does not mean that I have only
experienced good things, but that I have felt a balance of good things and bad things.
INTIMACY vs. ISOLATION Early adulthood
Eriksons sixth stage covers ages nineteen to forty. During these years dating, marriage,
family and friendships, are important during the stage in their life. During this time healthy
intimate relationships help people develop intimacy, but people who fail at this may become
isolated (goodtherepy.org, 2013, p1). Erikson believed that it was very important that people
develop close and committed relationships with other people. Those who are successful at this
top with form relationships are they are committed to and that are secure (Cherry, 2010, p1). It is
important to keep in mind that each step builds on skills learned in previous stages. Erikson
believed that a strong sense of personal identity was important for developing intimate
relationships. Studies have shown that those with a poor sense of self tend to have less

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committed relationships and are more likely to suffer emotional isolation, loneliness, and
depression (Cherry, 2010, p1). I have not reached this stage yet in my own life, although I am
very close. I have many goals already set for myself to accomplish when I finally reach this
stage. During these years I will be making some of the biggest choices of my life. Due to being
in the ASAP program at Ivy Tech right now I should have my first teaching job before I turn
twenty-one years old. This is so exciting for me to think about and it is a definite goal I have for
myself. There are many other things that I would like to accomplish while in my twenties. I
would like to find a man that I can settle down with and have a serious relationship with. By age
twenty-four I would like to be married and be in the process of buying my first home. By the
time I reach age twenty-nine I would like to be starting a family of my own and be in the process
of buying my first car. I would love to spend my time in my thirties raising my children and
working hard on my marriage with my husband. I hope to be happily working as a teacher and
living a happy life teaching my own children morals and life lessons. When I reach my forties I
hope to be helping my children graduate high school and start preparing for college. I hope to
still be happily married to my husband and his full support in the things that I do. I think that I
will complete this stage successfully on the side of intimacy due to my positive attitude! I cannot
exactly say how it will turn out though because life will always throw plenty of curveballs.
GENERATIVITY vs. STAGNATION Middle Age
Eriksons seventh stage covers ages 35 64. In this time people are developing a sense of
purpose. They understand parenting, hobbies, and careers in this time and they want to excel as
much as possible (goodtherepy.org, 2013, p1). During this time people are continuing to build
on to their lives. The big focus is on a career and family. Those who are successful during this
phase will feel that they are being contributors to the word but helping actively in their own

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home and community. Those who fail to gain this skill will feel unproductive and will feel
disconnected in the world (Cherry, 2010, p1). Those who find no purpose or value in their
activities may stagnate (goodtherepy.org, 2013, p1). The virtue that is achieved when this stage
is handled successfully is care. Being proud of your accomplishments, watching your children
grow into adults, and developing a sense of unity with your husband or wife are very important
accomplishments of this stage. I have not yet reached this stage in my own life, but I know many
people that are currently in this stage. I interviewed someone that I believed to be very
knowledgeable and would answer honestly to the questions that were being asked. When I asked
my mother What do you feel has been passed down from previous generations to you? She
replied, I believe that my parents taught me to be kind to others and to always give what you
can and do not take anything that you have not earned. Another question I asked was, Do you
feel that you have impacted or improved the lives of others? She answered by saying, I do not
like to take a major credit for the things I have done for others, I believe that I was meant to do
these things because they are nice to do and they deserve to be done. The last question I asked
was, Are you satisfied with your productivity through middle adulthood? Her answer replied
with, I am completely satisfied, I have done things I wish that I would not have done, but I am
also proud of the positive things that I have been able to be apart of. I believe that mother is so
far successful in this stage. She has things that she is not completely happy with, but she
understands that it is okay because she has done many good and positive things too. I believe that
when she goes on to complete this stage she will be able to look back with confidence and be
able to celebrate with the way she finished.
EGO INTEGRITY vs. DESPAIR Old Age

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Eriksons eighth and final stage covers ages 65 and on. This stage
occurs during old age and is mostly focused on one reflecting back on his
or her life (Cherry, 2010, p1). During this time a person has reached the last and final chapter
of his or her life. This is the time where retirement usually happens or has already taken place.
Those who are unsuccessful during this stage will feel as if his or her life has been wasted and he
or she may experience many regrets. The individual may be left with bitter feelings of despair.
Those who have a proud feeling of their accomplishments will feel a sense of integrity.
Successfully completing this phase means that looking back with few regrets and a general
feeling of satisfaction will be an easy task. These individuals will attain wisdom even when he or
she is confronting death. When reaching this stage in my own life I want to be able to look back
and be happy with the choices that I have made. I sometimes think of things that I appreciate
most as flowers. Flowers can sometimes go unnoticed because they are so small and so common.
Flowers are just like the little things in life, such as spending weekends with your children doing
nothing but watching movies and playing board games or spending every Christmas eve writing
letters to Santa and leaving out reindeer food or having every Tuesday named taco Tuesday
just because you always have tacos for dinner. These are the things that I want to be able to look
back and remember. During this time in my own personal life I have things that I would like to
accomplish. I want to be able to spend time with my children and grandchildren. I would also
like to be in a position where I am comfortable in life and I do not have to worry about my
situation with money. I would like to enjoy this time with my husband traveling and enjoying the
little things we have in life. Life will always throw curve balls I will never doubt that and Im
sure that things will be more than tough sometimes, but I want to be able to look back at my life

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and see all the curveballs that Ive had thrown in my direction and be able to say I caught the ball
and threw it right back.

References
Cherry, K. A. (2010). Erikson's stages of psychosocial development. Retrieved from
http://psychology.about.com/od/psychosocialtheories/a/psychosocial.htm

Goodtherapy.org. (2013). Erik erikson (1902-1994). Retrieved from

http://www.goodtherapy.org/famous-psychologists/erik-erikson.html#