Lifespan Behavior

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1. Erikson's Life Cycle - Erikson's theory of Psychosocial development

Briefly, Erikson's theory consists of eight stages of development. Each stage is characterized by a different conflict that must be resolved by the individual. When the environment makes new demands on people, the conflicts arise. "The person is faced with a choice between two ways of coping with each crisis, an adaptive, or maladaptive way. Only when each crisis is resolved, which involves a change in the personality, does the person have sufficient strength to deal with the next stages of development"(Schultz and Schultz, 1987).
If a person is unable to resolve a conflict at a particular stage, they will confront and struggle with it later in life. (http://web.cortland.edu/andersmd/ERIK/stageint.HTML).
Stage (age) Psychosocial crisis Significant relations Psychosocial modalities Psychosocial virtues Maladaptations & malignancies
I (0-1) --
infant Trust vs mistrust Mother To get, to give in return Hope, faith Sensory distortion -- withdrawal
II (2-3) --
toddler Autonomy vs shame and doubt Parents To hold on, to let go Will, determination Impulsivity -- compulsion
III (3-6) --
preschooler Initiative vs guilt Family To go after, to play Purpose, courage Ruthlessness -- inhibition
IV (7-12 or so) --
school-age child Industry vs inferiority Neighborhood and school To complete, to make things together Competence Narrow virtuosity -- inertia
V (12-18 or so) --
adolescence Ego-identity vs role-confusion Peer groups, role models To be oneself, to share oneself Fidelity, loyalty Fanaticism -- repudiation
VI (the 20's) --
young adult Intimacy vs isolation Partners, friends To lose and find oneself in a
another Love Promiscuity -- exclusivity
VII (late 20's to 50's) -- middle adult Generativity vs ...