Erikson’s Stages of Development:
Erikson condemned the deep emphasis given by Freud on sexual and biological factors in developing personality. He felt that relatively more consideration should be given to the societal factors. He recognized eight stages of life that portray the endless development of the personality of an individual. He related conflicts with each stage that is to be resolved before heading towards other stages. These stages are explained as below.
Infancy: During the first year of life child resolves the crisis of trust and mistrust. If treated and cared for with affection, an infant will learn to trust the people. Lack of affection will lead to mistrust. This stage has a great impact on the child and influences his personality.
Early Childhood: In the second and third years of life children begin to stress independence. If a child is allowed to manage the aspects of life that the child can control, a sense of autonomy develops. If he meets the disapproval of elders for it a trait of shame and self-doubt develops.
Play Age/ Preschool Stage: During the fourth and fifth years of life, the child tends to know how much he can do. If a child is given encouragement to do things himself and learn accordingly, a sense of taking initiative develops.
School Age: A child ages six to twelve learns new skills and develops societal abilities. The child will grow with a sense of enterprise if progress is according to his abilities otherwise sense of inferiority may develop.
Adolescence: The crisis of teenage years is to gain a sense of identity rather than to become confused about what you are. While undergoing various biological changes teenager tries to establish themselves separate from their parents. This crisis of identity is very important to resolve and prepare the individual for adulthood.
Early Adulthood: The young adult through the twenties of his life faces the crisis of intimacy vs. isolation. The development of a strong and lasting relationship starts in this stage with the help of a sense of identity established in an earlier stage.
Adulthood: During this stage adults face a crisis of generativity vs. self-absorption. Self-absorbed individuals become mean and never develop the ability to look beyond themselves. He keeps himself busy with career advancement and maintenance of his current profession. He never works for future growth or the welfare of others. Generative people see everything beyond themselves. He tries to develop himself works efficiently and works for welfare of the society as well. Through a creative mind, he starts working for organizational growth.
Mature Adulthood: The person becomes a mature adult at this stage and gains a sense of wisdom and perspective that can guide other young adults.