Lesson 3 Developmental Stages the quality of the early experience of attachment can affect

PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT 1 relationships with others in later life.

DEVELOPMENTAL STAGES 2. Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt (EARLY CHILDHOOD)

Autonomy versus shame and doubt is the second
LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
stage of Erik Erikson's stages of psychosocial development.
This stage occurs between the ages of 18 months to
1. classify various developmental tasks according to
approximately 3 years. According to Erikson, children at this
developmental stage
stage are focused on developing a sense of personal control
2. Evaluate one’s development in comparison with persons of
over physical skills and a sense of independence.
the same age group.
Success in this stage will lead to the virtue of will. If
 Erikson's stages of psychosocial development, as children in this stage are encouraged and supported
articulated in the second half of the 20th century by in their increased independence, they become more
Erik Erikson in collaboration with Joan Erikson, is a confident and secure in their own ability to survive in the
comprehensive psychoanalytic theory that identifies world.
a series of eight stages that a healthy developing If children are criticized, overly controlled, or not
individual should pass through from infancy to late given the opportunity to assert themselves, they begin to feel
adulthood. inadequate in their ability to survive, and may then become
 According to the theory, successful completion of overly dependent upon others, lack self-esteem, and feel a
each stage results in a healthy personality and the sense of shame or doubt in their abilities.
acquisition of basic virtues. Basic virtues are
characteristic strengths which the ego can use to What Happens During This Stage?
resolve subsequent crises. The child is developing physically and becoming
 Failure to successfully complete a stage can result in more mobile, and discovering that he or she has many skills
a reduced ability to complete further stages and and abilities, such as putting on clothes and shoes, playing
therefore a more unhealthy personality and sense of with toys, etc. Such skills illustrate the child's growing sense
self. These stages, however, can be resolved of independence and autonomy. For example, during this
successfully at a later time. stage children begin to assert their independence, by walking
away from their mother, picking which toy to play with, and
1. Trust vs. Mistrust ( INFANCY ) making choices about what they like to wear, to eat, etc.
Trust vs. mistrust is the first stage in Erik Erikson's
theory of psychosocial development. This stage begins at 3. Initiative vs. Guilt (PLAY AGE)
birth continues to approximately 18 months of age. During Initiative versus guilt is the third stage of Erik
this stage, the infant is uncertain about the world in which Erikson's theory of psychosocial development. During the
they live and looks towards their primary caregiver for initiative versus guilt stage, children assert themselves more
stability and consistency of care. frequently through directing play and other social interaction.
If the care the infant receives is consistent, These are particularly lively, rapid-developing years
predictable and reliable, they will develop a sense of trust in a child’s life. According to Bee (1992), it is a “time of vigor
which will carry with them to other relationships, and they of action and of behaviors that the parents may see as
will be able to feel secure even when threatened. aggressive."
If these needs are not consistently met, mistrust, During this period the primary feature involves the
suspicion, and anxiety may develop. child regularly interacting with other children at school.
If the care has been inconsistent, unpredictable and Central to this stage is play, as it provides children with the
unreliable, then the infant may develop a sense of mistrust, opportunity to explore their interpersonal skills through
suspicion, and anxiety. In this situation the infant will not initiating activities.
have confidence in the world around them or in their abilities Children begin to plan activities, make up games, and
to influence events. initiate activities with others. If given this opportunity,
children develop a sense of initiative and feel secure in their
Success and Failure In Stage One ability to lead others and make decisions.
Success in this stage will lead to the virtue of hope. Conversely, if this tendency is squelched, either
By developing a sense of trust, the infant can have hope that through criticism or control, children develop a sense of guilt.
as new crises arise, there is a real possibility that other people The child will often overstep the mark in his forcefulness, and
will be there as a source of support. the danger is that the parents will tend to punish the child
Failing to acquire the virtue of hope will lead to the and restrict his initiatives too much. It is at this stage that the
development of fear. This infant will carry the basic sense of child will begin to ask many questions as his thirst for
mistrust with them to other relationships. It may result in knowledge grows. If the parents treat the child’s questions as
anxiety, heightened insecurities, and an over feeling of trivial, a nuisance or embarrassing or other aspects of their
mistrust in the world around them. behavior as threatening then the child may have feelings of
Consistent with Erikson's views on the importance of guilt for “being a nuisance”.
trust, research by Bowlby and Ainsworth has outlined how
 Too much guilt can make the child slow to interact Erikson claims that the adolescent may feel
with others and may inhibit their creativity. Some guilt is, of uncomfortable about their body for a while until they can
course, necessary; otherwise, the child would not know how adapt and “grow into” the changes. Success in this stage will
to exercise self-control or have a conscience. lead to the virtue of fidelity.
A healthy balance between initiative and guilt is Fidelity involves being able to commit oneself to
important. Success in this stage will lead to the virtue of others on the basis of accepting others, even when there may
purpose, while failure results in a sense of guilt. be ideological differences.
During this period, they explore possibilities and
4. Industry vs. Inferiority (SCHOOL AGE) begin to form their own identity based upon the outcome of
Erikson's fourth psychosocial crisis, involving industry their explorations. Failure to establish a sense of identity
(competence) vs. Inferiority occurs during within society ("I don’t know what I want to be when I grow
childhood between the ages of five and twelve. up") can lead to role confusion. Role confusion involves the
Children are at the stage where they will be learning individual not being sure about themselves or their place in
to read and write, to do sums, to do things on their own. society.
Teachers begin to take an important role in the child’s life as In response to role confusion or identity crisis, an
they teach the child specific skills. adolescent may begin to experiment with different lifestyles
It is at this stage that the child’s peer group will gain (e.g., work, education or political activities).
greater significance and will become a major source of the Also pressuring someone into an identity can result
child’s self-esteem. The child now feels the need to win in rebellion in the form of establishing a negative identity, and
approval by demonstrating specific competencies that are in addition to this feeling of unhappiness.
valued by society and begin to develop a sense of pride in
their accomplishments. 6. Intimacy vs. Isolation (EARLY ADULTHOOD)
If children are encouraged and reinforced for their Intimacy versus isolation is the sixth stage of Erik
initiative, they begin to feel industrious (competent) and feel Erikson's theory of psychosocial development. This stage
confident in their ability to achieve goals. If this initiative is takes place during young adulthood between the ages of
not encouraged, if it is restricted by parents or teacher, then approximately 18 to 40 yrs. During this stage, the major
the child begins to feel inferior, doubting his own abilities and conflict centers on forming intimate, loving relationships with
therefore may not reach his or her potential. other people.
If the child cannot develop the specific skill they feel During this stage, we begin to share ourselves more
society is demanding (e.g., being athletic) then they may intimately with others. We explore relationships leading
develop a sense of Inferiority. toward longer-term commitments with someone other than a
Some failure may be necessary so that the child can family member.
develop some modesty. Again, a balance between Successful completion of this stage can result in
competence and modesty is necessary. Success in this stage happy relationships and a sense of commitment, safety, and
will lead to the virtue of competence. care within a relationship.
Avoiding intimacy, fearing commitment and
5. Identity vs. Role Confusion (ADOLESCENCE) relationships can lead to isolation, loneliness, and sometimes
The fifth stage of Erik Erikson's theory of depression. Success in this stage will lead to the virtue of
psychosocial development is identity vs. role confusion, and it love.
occurs during adolescence, from about 12-18 years. During
this stage, adolescents search for a sense of self and personal 7. Generativity vs. Stagnation ( ADULTHOOD)
identity, through an intense exploration of personal values, Generativity versus stagnation is the seventh of eight
beliefs, and goals. stages of Erik Erikson's theory of psychosocial development.
During adolescence, the transition from childhood to This stage takes place during during middle adulthood (ages
adulthood is most important. Children are becoming more 40 to 65 yrs).
independent, and begin to look at the future in terms of Psychologically, generativity refers to "making your
career, relationships, families, housing, etc. The individual mark" on the world through creating or nurturing things that
wants to belong to a society and fit in. will outlast an individual. During middle age individuals
This is a major stage of development where the child experience a need to create or nurture things that will
must learn the roles he will occupy as an adult. It is during outlast them, often having mentees or creating positive
this stage that the adolescent will re-examine his identity and changes that will benefit other people.
try to find out exactly who he or she is. Erikson suggests that We give back to society through raising our children,
two identities are involved: the sexual and the occupational. being productive at work, and becoming involved in
According to Bee (1992), what should happen at the community activities and organizations. Through generativity
end of this stage is “a reintegrated sense of self, of we develop a sense of being a part of
what one wants to do or be, and of one’s appropriate sex the bigger picture.
role”. During this stage the body image of the Success leads to feelings of usefulness and
adolescent changes. accomplishment, while failure results in shallow involvement
in the world.
 By failing to find a way to contribute, we become *Being able to wait for your turn at the playing counter at
stagnant and feel unproductive. These individuals may feel ease in very stressful situations and remain calm when little
disconnected or uninvolved with their community and with things annoy you is a sign of patience.
society as a whole. Success in this stage will lead to the virtue *Not all individual remains at ease, especially if they
of care. encountered very stressful situations
*A mature person do not lose their patience and tend to be
8. Ego Integrity vs. Despair (OLD AGE) calm to whatever circumstances they may experience, they
Ego integrity versus despair is the eighth and final do not easily nag or show their feelings in front of many
stage of Erik Erikson’s stage theory of psychosocial audiences because they are not able to adapt to the
development. This stage begins at approximately age 65 and situations easily and express their emotions positively.
ends at death. It is during this time that we contemplate our *A mature person knows where and when to conform and
accomplishments and can develop integrity if we see when to stand in their own beliefs in life.
ourselves as leading a successful life. 5. Thinking about yourself
Individuals who reflect on their life and regret not ● A mature person knows where and when to conform and
achieving their goals will experience feelings of bitterness and when to stand in their own beliefs in
despair. life.
Erikson described ego integrity as “the acceptance of ● They know what person/ group of friends they choose and
one’s one and only life cycle as something that had to be” they always consider the person/
(1950, p. 268) and later as “a sense of coherence and surroundings around them before making decisions..
wholeness” (1982, p. 65). As we grow older (65+ yrs.) and
become senior citizens, we tend to slow down our Reference:
productivity and explore life as a retired person. https://www.simplypsychology.org/Erik-Erikson.html
Erik Erikson believed if we see our lives as Downloaded by Lady GLu ([email protected])
unproductive, feel guilty about our past, or feel that we did lOMoARcPSD|22933252
not accomplish our life goals, we become dissatisfied with life
and develop despair, often leading to depression and
hopelessness.
Success in this stage will lead to the virtue of
wisdom. Wisdom enables a person to look back on their life
with a sense of closure and completeness, and also accept
death without fear.
Wise people are not characterized by a continuous
state of ego integrity, but they experience both ego integrity
and despair. Thus, late life is characterized by both integrity
and despair as alternating states that need to be balanced.

The 5 Characteristics of a MATURE Person

1. Taking Responsibility and Follow Through
* many individuals show great interest in the beginning of a
task but end up failing because of getting
tired easily.
*Successful tasks are usually the result of talking full
responsibility of one’s own work
2. Cooperating with Others.
*Cooperation enable an individual to make good decisions
and choices, people who cooperate have
good relationship with others and they are valued in their
society.
*People show various acts of cooperation through respecting
and helping each other and listening and
supporting the ideas of others even if they disagree with
them.
3. Being a Good Sport
*Handling failures and disappointments when losing a
ballgame, not be able to get the that dream role
that you always dreamed of, without complaining or whining,
thus not giving up and taking it as a lesson
to improve further.
4. Keeping Calmness in Stressful Situations