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Here’s a brief rundown of Erik Erikson’s stages of Psychosocial Development that I found on Quizlet (free online flashcard site) and put into a handout for easy review.
Trust vs. Mistrust
(birth- 18 months)
Characteristics include:
- Needs must be consistently met for infant to develop trust in others and environment
- Visual contact and touch are important in building trust
- Most important relationship = primary caregivers
Issues include:
- Separation
- Lack of stimulation
- Pain
- Unfamiliar routine, people and environment
Interventions include:
- Prompt/consistent care
- Encourage parental involvement
- Provide appropriate stimulation
Autonomy vs. Shame/Doubt
(18 months- 3 years)
Characteristics include:
- Gaining control of their bodies and learning new skills
- Increased autonomy and self-esteem
- Shame and doubt result when shamed into learning new skill (i.e., potty training)
- Most significant relationship = parents
Issues include:
- Separation
- Fear of bodily harm
- Loss of autonomy
- Loss of routine
Interventions include:
- Parental involvement
- Encourage normalization through exploration of environment
- Implement routine
- Provide opportunities for control
Initiative vs. Guilt
(3- 5 years)
Characteristics include:
- Begin to initiate, not imitate play
- Show initiative by asking “why”
- Most significant relationship = family
Issues include:
- Separation
- Lack of control and independence
- Magical thinking and egocentric thought lead to misunderstanding and fear
Interventions include:
- Parental involvement
- Increase opportunities for control
- Maintain routines
- Assess and increase understanding
Industry vs. Inferiority
(6- 12 years)
Characteristics include:
- Develops self-worth by refining skills
- Capable of learning numerous skills and information
- Most significant relationship = school and friends
Issues include:
- Separation from normal activities associated with home, school and peers
- Loss of control
- Concrete, literal thought leads to misunderstanding
Interventions include:
- Parental involvement
- Promote peer interaction
- Provide activities that promote sense of success and mastery
Identity vs. Role Confusion
(12- 18 years)
Characteristics include:
- Developing sense of identity separate from family
- Substitute ideals for experience
- Contemplate moral issues
- Most significant relationship = peer groups
Issues include:
- Lack of privacy
- Body image
- Separation from peer groups
- Forced dependence
Interventions include:
- Promote peer interaction
- Promote privacy
- Provide opportunities for choice, control, and self-expression
