Erik Erikson

by Katy Rose (2017)

Erikson’s theory of life-span ego development has enormous influence in today’s understanding of psychoanalytic theory. The intellectual antecedents that developed his awareness were psychoanalysis and his personal study of life and child rearing in other cultures. At the core of his work is his most notably eight-stage development that covers from birth to death. According to Erikson, the human develops psychologically much like an embryo in womb. Epigenesis suggests development upon the previous standard of development. “The strengths and capacities developed through successful resolution at each stage affect the entire personality” (Frager, 2013). Erikson describes the eight stages of human development as follows:

1. Basic Trust vs. Basic Mistrust

2. Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt

3. Initiative vs. Guilt

4. Industry vs. Inferiority

5. Identity vs. Identity Confusion

6. Intimacy vs. Isolation

7. Generativity vs. Stagnation

8. Integrity vs. Despair

Some theorists have added a ninth stage to understand the aging population beyond 80 years of age.

9. 80 and 90 years of age: a time of gerotranscendence as the elder battles daily with health and strength without the luxury of despair – as each day is a moment of survival.

Reference Page

Frager, R., & Fadiman, J. (2013). Personality and personal growth. Boston, MA: Pearson.