PERSONAL
DEVELOPMENT
LESSON 2: DEVELOPMENTAL
CHALLENGES IN KNOWING ONESELF
Erik
Erikson
Trust vs. Mistrust
Infancy (0 to 18 months)
The stage in which the infant feels uncertain about the
external world. Hence he or she seeks for the caregivers for
stability and consistency of care. If the care derives is reliable,
then the infant develops trust which he or she will carry to the
next level of relationships. Throughout he or she will feel
secure about his or her relationships even if threatened. The
world in the mind of the infant is pleasant and secure.
Trust vs. Mistrust
Infancy (0 to 18 months)
At this point in development, the child is utterly dependent
upon adult caregivers for everything they need to survive
including food, love, warmth, safety, and nurturing. If a
caregiver fails to provide adequate care and love, the child will
come to feel that they cannot trust or depend upon the adults
in their life.
Trust vs. Mistrust
Infancy (0 to 18 months)
If a child successfully develops trust, the child will feel safe
and secure in the world. Caregivers who are inconsistent,
emotionally unavailable, or rejecting contribute to feelings of
mistrust in the children under their care. Failure to develop
trust will result in fear and a belief that the world is
inconsistent and unpredictable.
Autonomy vs. Shame &Doubt
Early Childhood (18 months to 3 years)
In this stage the child begins to assert for independence
and starts to make decisions such as in choosing clothes,
toys etc. It is important that parents allow children to
explore according to their limits and in a supportive
environment. If parents are so restrictive and limiting, then
the child would develop shame and doubt.
Autonomy vs. Shame &Doubt
Early Childhood (18 months to 3 years)
POTTY TRAINING
The essential theme of this stage is that children need to
develop a sense of personal control over physical skills and
a sense of independence. Potty training plays an important
role in helping children develop this sense of autonomy.
Other important events include gaining more control over
food choices, toy preferences, and clothing selection.
Autonomy vs. Shame &Doubt
Early Childhood (18 months to 3 years)
Children who successfully complete this stage feel secure
and confident, while those who do not are left with a sense
of inadequacy and self-doubt. Erikson believed that
achieving a balance between autonomy and shame and
doubt would lead to will, which is the belief that children
can act with intention, within reason and limits.
Initiative vs. Guilt
Play age (3 to 5 years old)
The child starts to regularly interact with other
children. Interpersonal skills should be explored by
initiating activities. He or she can start to decide and
lead others. Developing a sense of responsibility
increases his or her initiative. Suppression of this
leads to a feeling of guilt and anxiety.
Initiative vs. Guilt
Play age (3 to 5 years old)
The major theme of the third stage of psychosocial
development is that children need to begin asserting
control and power over the environment. Success in
this stage leads to a sense of purpose. Children who
try to exert too much power experience disapproval,
resulting in a sense of guilt.
Industry vs. Inferiority
School age (5 to 12 years old)
The stage where peer group becomes very important
and becomes the source of self-esteem. The energy is
directed towards mastering knowledge and
intellectual skills. Encouraging these individuals and
reinforcing them for their initiatives make them
confident and industrious.
Industry vs. Inferiority
School age (5 to 12 years old)
Children need to cope with new social and academic
demands. Success leads to a sense of competence, while
failure results in feelings of inferiority. Children who are
encouraged and commended by parents and teachers
develop a feeling of competence and belief in their
skills. Those who receive little or no encouragement
from parents, teachers, or peers will doubt their
abilities to be successful.
Identity vs. Role Confusion
Adolescence (12 to 18 years old)
The individual begins to look to the future. Family,
career, relationships etc. Several roles are considered
at this age. He or she explores possibilities and form
identities. If limiting parents push a certain identity to
the adolescent then there is role confusion.
Identity vs. Role Confusion
Adolescence (12 to 18 years old)
The fifth psychosocial stage takes place during the often
turbulent teenage years. This stage plays an essential role
in developing a sense of personal identity which will
continue to influence behavior and development for the
rest of a person's life. Teens need to develop a sense of
self and personal identity. Success leads to an ability to
stay true to yourself, while failure leads to role confusion
and a weak sense of self.
Identity vs. Role Confusion
Adolescence (12 to 18 years old)
While Erikson believed that each stage of psychosocial
development was important, he placed a particular
emphasis on the development of ego identity. Ego identity
is the conscious sense of self that we develop through
social interaction and becomes a central focus during the
identity versus confusion stage of psychosocial
development.
Identity vs. Role Confusion
Adolescence (12 to 18 years old)
Ego identity is the sense of identity that provides
individuals with the ability to experience their sense of
who they are, and also act on that sense, in a way that
has continuity and sameness.
Intimacy vs. Isolation
Young adult (18 to 40 years old)
The stage where one shares one's self more intimately
with others, the exploration of relationships. Success
in this stage leads to happy relationships and greater
commitment. Avoiding intimacy, on the other hand,
can lead to isolation and loneliness.
Intimacy vs. Isolation
Young adult (18 to 40 years old)
Remember that each step builds on skills learned in
previous steps. Erikson believed that a strong sense of
personal identity was important for developing intimate
relationships. Studies have demonstrated that those with
a poor sense of self tend to have less committed
relationships and are more likely to struggler with
emotional isolation, loneliness, and depression.
Generativity vs. Stagnation
Adulthood (40 to 65 years old)
The stage of established career, family life or
relationship and greater productivity. Failure at
this stage means inability to contribute to the
next generation and so it results to stagnation.
Generativity vs. Stagnation
Adulthood (40 to 65 years old)
During adulthood, we continue to build our lives,
focusing on our career and family. Those who are
successful during this phase will feel that they are
contributing to the world by being active in their
home and community.Those who fail to attain this
skill will feel unproductive and uninvolved in the
world.
Generativity vs. Stagnation
Adulthood (40 to 65 years old)
Care is the virtue achieved when this stage is
handled successfully. Being proud of your
accomplishments, watching your children grow into
adults, and developing a sense of unity with your
life partner are important accomplishments of this
stage.
Integrity vs. Despair
Maturity (65+ years old)
As a retiree, one contemplates and looks into
what was accomplished which leads to a sense
of integrity. Failure to do so leads to doubts and
despair.
Integrity vs. Despair
Maturity (65+ years old)
At this stage, people reflect back on the events of
their lives and take stock. Those who look back on a
life they feel was well-lived will feel satisfied and
ready to face the end of their lives with a sense of
peace. Those who look back and only feel regret will
instead feel fearful that their lives will end without
accomplishing the things they feel they should have.
