Child analyst and psychiatric consultant Erik Erikson was born in Germany in 1902. Like Sigmund Freud, Erikson believed people developed psychologically in stages. In 1933 Erikson became Boston's first child analyst, working at Harvard Medical School. He believed Freud was wrong in his theory that humans developed their personality by age 5. Instead, Erikson outlined eight psychosocial stages for the development of the personality and social attitudes and skills from infancy through adulthood. For the child to reach a new stage of development, he must first fully master the preceding stage, Erikson said. Wendy Sharkey of Ohio's Muskingum College and Doug Davis and Alan Clifton of Pennsylvania's Haverford College wrote articles on Erikson's theory.
Trust and Autonomy
Davis and Clifton's article says Erikson's stage one is to learn basic trust of others and the self vs. mistrust. Erikson said this is the first task the ego faces, and it is never complete. However, the initial time line is from birth to 1 year of age. Erikson theorized that the level of trust a child develops depends to a large degree on the quality of her relationship with her mother. If she is fed when hungry and comforted when upset, she will trust. However, if a child does not develop trust, she will be frustrated, withdrawn, suspicious and lacking self-confidence, Sharkey writes. Stage two is the development of autonomy vs. shame and doubt, which occurs from ages 2 to 3. At this time, parents must allow their child to have a sense of self-control. If a parent is overbearing, a child will develop shame and doubt, Erikson said.
Initiative
Stage three, initiative vs. guilt, occurs by ages 4 and 5, Sharkey writes. This is when a child figures out who he will be. He increases his autonomy with a sense of responsibility and initiative. A child at this stage also begins to feel guilt over goals contemplated and when made to feel anxious for irresponsible things he has done. However, when the child accomplishes something, his guilt is diminished.
Industry
Stage four, industry vs. inferiority, occurs between 6 years of age and puberty. At this time a child enters school and learns the technology and skills of society, Sharkey writes. Davis and Clifton add that the child becomes a conformist at this stage, easily manipulated. At some point in this stage, a child desires to complete a productive goal over fulfilling playful whims. If the child is successful with technology and industrious pursuits, she gains self-esteem; if she fails she feels inferior, which might lead to isolation and family rivalry, Davis and Clifton write.
Identity and Intimacy
During adolescence, a child struggles with his identity vs. identity confusion. Erikson said this is when a person seeks his true self. Davis and Clifton write that the adolescent is overly concerned about how he appears to others. Additionally, the inability to choose a school or career path are disturbing to him. Stage six, intimacy vs. isolation, occurs during adulthood. If the ego was fully developed in stage five, intimacy with others is possible, Sharkey writes. Otherwise, the adult becomes isolated and self-absorbed.
Generativity and Ego Identity
Stage seven and eight occur after a child has grown into adulthood. In stage seven, generativity vs. stagnation, the ego wishes to establish and guide the next generation. If a person feels she has not done this, she experiences stagnation, Sharkey writes. Work valued by society is an expression of generativity, but simply having or wanting children won't provide it, add Davis and Clifton. Late in life adults reach stage eight, integrity vs. despair. The older adult looks back at her life for meaning. If the previous stages were fully developed she will experience integrity. If not, she will despair and fear death, the loss of self-sufficiency and the death of beloved friends and family, Davis and Clifton write.
