"Children love and want to be loved and they very much prefer the joy of accomplishment to the triumph of hateful failure. Do not mistake a child for his symptom. " Erik Erickson
20th century German psychologist Erik Erickson proposed that there are eight stages of development that all humans go through. He parted company with his predecessor Sigmund Freud who believed that there were only five stages beginning at birth and ending at adolescence.
Erickson, sometimes called the father of developmental psychology, believed that human beings continue to develop through the entire life span and along the way we are presented with eight critical challenges or crisis, one for each of life's stages. In order to be happy and successful each challenge or crisis must be met and overcome. Failure to do so could result in retarded development and in some cases the development of a future psychopathology (mental disorder)
Here are the eight stages of human development as proposed by Erik Erickson.
Stage 1 (Birth to 1 year old) Trust versus Mistrust Stage
Erickson believed that during this crucial stage of life it was important that an infant's basic needs for nourishment and comfort be met by a consistent and attentive caregiver. If the infant’s needs are met then the child will develop trust in himself and in the word around him, if not then he will grow to be distrustful, suspicious, and withdrawn. In the worst case scenario a child could eventually grow to develop depression and even paranoia. It is also at the critical stage that a child develops his/her attachment pattern which will affect all future relationships. Successfully completing this stage of development leads to feelings of hope and optimism.
Stage 2 (Age 2 - 3) Autonomy or Independence versus Doubt
Erickson believed that a toddler needed to be given the freedom to explore his world and that it was essential for caregivers to provide praise and positive support. Given this opportunity a child would develop a feeling of independence. If not the child would learn to doubt himself. Erickson believed that failure at this stage could later lead to feelings of obsessiveness or avoidance. Those who successfully completed this stage of development would gain a sense of determination and willpower.
Stage 3 (Age 3 - 6) Initiative versus Guilt
According to Erickson during this preschool period a child begins to show initiative and imitate the actions of adults. If he is permitted and encouraged to do so he will develop initiative and later gain the virtues of purpose and courage. Failure at this stage would result in feelings of guilt and could later develop into antisocial (criminal) or narcissistic behavior.
Stage 4 (Ages 6 - 12) Industry versus Inferiority
School age children begin to master skills and take on new challenges and activities. If a child is successful at this stage he will become industrious and gain self worth. Failure to support a child's efforts at this stage can lead to feelings of inferiority and incompetence. Ultimate failure at this stage can lead to life long feelings of helplessness and low self worth. Children who are successful at this stage acquire the virtue of confidence.
Stage 5 (Ages 13 - 19) Identity versus Role Confusion
This is the stage of adolescence and the goal here is to discover “who you are”. The teenager must discover his identity in terms of interests, goals, occupation, and sexual orientation. Teens that are successful at discovering their identity will know their place in the world and can move forward with a sense of purpose. Those who do not generally remain confused about who they are and what exactly their role is. In the worse case a person may forever suffer from a sense of "role confusion" and a fragile self-image.
Stage 6 (Ages 20 - 24) Intimacy versus Isolation
This is the stage where young people attempt to develop intimate relationships with friends and members of the opposite sex. Intimate relationships are those where we can be ourselves and allow ourselves to be vulnerable. If we are successful at navigating this stage of life we learn how to love and be loved. Erickson believed that failure at this stage could lead one to become either promiscuous or to isolate oneself from others and reject close relationships.
Stage 7 (25 - 64) Genearativity versus Stagnation
Genearativity refers to the concern for future generations. One way which humans show genearativity is by having and raising children. But anyone who has made valuable contributions to society and has made a mark in the world shows genearativity. Individuals who are dissatisfied with their life and who have not achieved anything worthwhile become bitter, self-absorbed, and stagnate. Successfully negotiating this stage of life leads to feelings of love for future generations and all of mankind.
Stage 8 (65 - ) Ego Integrity versus Despair
This is the stage where one reflects on his/her life. When one reaches the final stage of life the crisis is about accepting your life and feeling that you have lived thoroughly and loved thoroughly. Those who have will develop "ego integrity" or a sense of acceptance about their life and they will not dread death. Those who have failed to achieve their goals or who have serious regrets about the life they've lived will develop a feeling of despair and a greater fear of death. Wisdom is the ultimate virtue achieved at this stage of life.
Of this final stage of life Elisabeth Kubler-Ross said, “Live so you do not have to look back and say: 'God, how I have wasted my life.'”
Source material: Erik Erickson, Identity and the Life Cycle, 1959
