ERIK ERIKSON

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ERICKSON'S THEORY

Erikson’s theory has implications for major theoretical questions. Like other psychoanalytic theories, it proposes a number of concepts that are not easily captured within the precise hypothesis-testing language of science. His theory is more comprehensive than classical psychoanalysis because it encompasses cultural phenomena. Erikson’s theory has been applied to therapy with children and adolescents.

Individual Differences
Individuals differ in their ego strengths. Males and females differ in personality because of biological differences.

Adaptation and Adjustment
A strong ego is the key to mental health. It comes from good resolution of eight stages of ego development, in which positive ego strengths predominate over the negative pole (e.g., trust over mistrust).

Cognitive Processes
The unconscious is an important force in personality. Experience is influenced by biological modes, which are expressed in symbols and in play.

Culture
Society shapes the way in which people develop (thus the term psychosocial development). Cultural institutions continue to support ego strengths (e.g., religion supports trust or hope).

Biological Influences
Biological factors are important determinants of personality. Sex differences in personality are strongly influenced by differences in the “genital apparatus.”

Development
Children develop through four psychosocial stages, each of which presents a crisis in which a particular ego strength is developed. Adolescents and adults develop through four additional psychosocial stages. Again, each involves a crisis and develops a particular ego strength.

IN A NUTSHELL

• Erikson proposed a theory of psychosocial development that described eight stages in the life span. A ninth stage was later added to reflect his final thoughts.
• According to the epigenetic principle, these stages build on one another and occur in invariant sequence across cultures. In each stage, the individual experiences a crisis, which is resolved in the context of society.
• The original eight stages are trust versus mistrust, autonomy versus shame and doubt, initiative versus guilt, industry versus inferiority, identity versus identity confusion, intimacy versus isolation, generativity versus stagnation, and integrity versus despair. The ninth stage is gerotranscendence.
• In each stage, culture influences development.

Reference - Theories of Personality - Understanding Persons, Susan Cloninger, The Sage Colleges, 6th edition

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