Psychosocial Development
Erikson's Theory of Development
Erik Erikson developed the following stages based on issues that arise during the process of psychosocial development. At each age he believed that there is a central conflict to be resolved and the way in which we resolve that conflict lays the groundwork for the next stages of our development.
Erik Erikson developed the following stages based on issues that arise during the process of psychosocial development. At each age he believed that there is a central conflict to be resolved and the way in which we resolve that conflict lays the groundwork for the next stages of our development.
1. Trust vs. Mistrust
Development of trust in maternal care and in one's own ability to cope vs. hopelessness.
Development of trust in maternal care and in one's own ability to cope vs. hopelessness.
2. Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt
Independence and self-control vs. lack of confidence
Independence and self-control vs. lack of confidence
3. Initiative vs. Guilt
Exuberant activity vs. overcontrol
Exuberant activity vs. overcontrol
4. Industry vs. Inferiority
Learning the tasks of one's society vs. a sense of inadequacy
Learning the tasks of one's society vs. a sense of inadequacy
5. Identity vs. Role Confusion
Integration of previous experiences to form an identity vs. confusion about one's role in society
Integration of previous experiences to form an identity vs. confusion about one's role in society
6. Intimacy vs. Isolation
Ability to form close relationships vs. fear of losing the self
Ability to form close relationships vs. fear of losing the self
7. Generativity vs. Stagnation
Guiding the next generation vs. preoccupation with one's own needs
Guiding the next generation vs. preoccupation with one's own needs
8. Integrity vs. Despair
Achievement of a sense of meaning in life vs. focus on fear of death
Achievement of a sense of meaning in life vs. focus on fear of death
Temperament
Temperament is the general way in which we respond to experiences in the world. Although different experiences evoke different emotional responses, the concept of temperament implies that individuals have a general emotional style that guides their tendency to respond in certain ways to a variety of events in their environment. Some of the differences in they way we respond reflect characteristic ways we have learned to respond to our experiences. Infants with an easy temperament have a generally positive mood, adapt fairly easily to change, and are regular and predictable in their patterns of eating, sleeping, and elimination. By contrast, infants with a difficult temperament have a more negative mood, are easily frustrated and slow to adapt to change, and have irregular patterns of eating, sleeping, and elimination. Slow-to-warm temperament children react milder than the reaction of a difficult child, and that is true of their reaction both to things that they like and to things that they dislike. What is most important in determining the consequences of having one type of temperament versus another is the goodness of fit between the child's characteristics and the demands of the environment.
Development of emotions
Infants within the first year of life demonstrate the basic emotions: happiness, sadness, fear, anger, interest, and disgust. It takes longer for more complex emotions to develop. Some emotions depend on an awareness of self that very young children do not yet possess. Sharing other people's feelings is the essence of empathy and is the basis for much human interaction. When we experience another's distress we are more likely to show sympathy (concern for others' welfare that often leads to helping or comforting them).