1. Erik Erikson’s Psycho-Social
Theory of Development

3. Introduction to the 8 stages:
• 1. Erikson’s “Psychological” term
– Psycho = mind, brain, personality
– Social =external relationships and environment
2. Influenced by Sigmund Freud.
-incorporated cultural and social aspects.
3. His ideas were developed overtime, aided by his
own journey through the “psychological crisis”
stages model

4. 4. Simple and well designed
5. Powerful model, very accessible and
relevant to modern life.
-useful for teaching
-parenting
-self-awareness
-managing and coaching
-dealing with conflict
-understanding self and others.

5. 6. Various terms used to describe Erikson’s
model:
- Erikson’s bio-psycho-social theory
- Erikson’s human development cycle
or life cycle
7. The epigenetic principle.
8. Each stages involves a psychosocial
crisis of two opposing emotional crisis.
9. Healthy ratio or balance
10. Maladaptation and malignancies

6. 11. The crisis stages are not sharply
defined steps.
12. Erikson was keen to point out that the
transition between stages is overlapping.
13. Erikson also emphasized the
significance of “mutuality” and “generativity”
In his theory.

7. THE EIGHT
PSYCHOSOCIAL
STAGES OF
DEVELOPMENT

8. Stage 1 Infancy (birth to 18 months)

9. Psychosocial Crisis:
Trust Vs. Mistrust
Relationships: Mother
Issues: feeding and being comforted,
teething, sleeping
Basic Virtue: Hope and Drive
Maladaptation: Sensory
maladjustment
Malignancy: withdrawal

11. Stage 2. Early Childhood (toddler)
18 months to 3 years

12. Psychosocial Crisis:
Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt
Relationships: Parents
Issues: bodily functions, toilet training,
muscular control, walking
Basic Virtue: Willpower and Self-Control
Maladaptation: Impulsivity
Malignancy: Compulsion

14. Stage 3. Preschool (3 to 6 years)

15. Psychosocial Crisis:
Initiative vs. Guilt
Relationships: family
Issues: exploration and discovery,
adventure and play
Basic Virtue: Purpose and Direction
Maladaptation: Ruthlessness
Malignancy: Inhibition

18. Stage 4. School Age (6 to 11 years)
Psychosocial Crisis:
Industry vs. Inferiority
Relationships: school, teachers,
friends, neighborhood
Issues: achievement and
accomplishment
Basic Virtue: Competence and
Method
Maladaptation: Narrow Virtuosity
Malignancy: Inertia

20. Stage 5.Adolescence (12 to 18 years)

21. Psychosocial Crisis:
Identity vs. Role Confusion
Relationships: peers, groups, influences
Issues: resolving identity and
direction, becoming a grown-up
Basic Virtue: Fidelity and Devotion
Maladaptation: Fanaticism
Malignancy: Repudiation

23. Stage 6. Young Adulthood (19 to 40
years)

24. Psychosocial Crisis:
Intimacy vs. Isolation
Relationships: lovers, friends, work
connections
Issues: intimate relationships,
work and social life
Basic Virtue: Love and Affiliation
Maladaptation: Promiscuity
Malignancy: Exclusivity

26. Stage 7. Middle Adulthood (41 to
65years)

27. Psychosocial Crisis:
Generativity vs. Stagnation
Relationships: children, community
Issues: 'giving back', helping,
contributing
Basic Virtue: Care and Production
Maladaptation: Overextension
Malignancy: Rejectivity

29. Stage 8. Maturity (66 to death)

30. Psychosocial Crisis:
Ego Integrity vs. Despair
Relationships: society, the world
Issues: meaning and purpose, life
achievements
Basic Virtue: Wisdom and
Renunciation
Maladaptation: Presumption
Malignancy: Disdain