Erik Erikson’s (1959) Stages of Psychosocial Development explains eight stages through the healthy development of a human being from infancy to adulthood. At each stage, the person faces new challenges that must be mastered as they progress through life. This article is an attempt to motivate the reader to better understand his life course using Erikson’s theory of psychosocial development.
Erikson’s model is constructed as a ladder with each stage building on the successful completion of the previous stage. But that does not mean that one has to successfully complete each stage in order to proceed to the next. However, the challenge found in the previous one will probably show up as problems in the future. According to Erikson (1959), the individual advances through each stage of psychosocial development through continuous engagements with biological and sociocultural forces. These two factors characterize the crisis of each stage faced by the individual. The successful reconciliation of these factors led to the individual development of a particular virtue during each stage.
According to Erikson, there are eight stages that correspond to the psychosocial development of the individual. It starts from the period of the oral-sensory stage (birth to 2 years), muscle-anal (2 to 4 years), preschool (4 to 5 years), then follows the latency stage (5 to 12 years). ) (Erickson, 1959).
latency and early development
The latency period is characterized by the child’s growing realization as an individual facing industry pressures on the one hand and inferiority on the other (Erikson, 1959). I fully agree with Erikson that the educational institution becomes an important factor during this period in the development of the child’s competence. Aside from school, neighbors and peers also play a crucial role during this period where an avenue for the development of skills and abilities of the child is needed (Erikson, 1959).
The post-latency stage is adolescence, and it is here that the “identity crisis” manifests itself (Erikson, 1968). Erikson coined this term to characterize the crisis faced by the individual regarding his identity and the roles he must play as a member of society. However, I would say that I did not encounter this crisis during that period of my life.
Escape to young adulthood
According to Erikson (1959), the stage of young adulthood is characterized by the fear of isolation due to intimacy exemplified by the fear of being rejected by the romantic partner that characterizes the crisis of this period. The formation of the individual’s identity during the earlier stage defines the individual’s readiness during this period to engage in long-term romantic relationships (Erikson, 1959).
Experience optimal development
Many would say that their entry into middle adulthood is where they experience optimal psychosocial development. According to Erikson (1959), middle adulthood is characterized by the crisis of generativity versus stagnation. Generativity refers to “the concern to establish and guide the next generation” through family relationships, work and society in general (Erikson, 1959).
Some comments
The last stage of psychosocial development starts from the age of 65 until death in late adulthood. It is during this period that individuals contemplate the lives they have led, both the achievements and the failures (Erikson, 1959). Whether one has lived a good life by weighing achievement against failure, the individual develops a sense of integrity that breeds the virtue of wisdom. The other side of this stage is when the individual is faced with despair.
Whether or not you have symptoms of depression or anxiety. It is important to contemplate the life you have lived so far. Would you say that the crisis he has faced and the virtues he has come to develop in each period are fairly consistent with what Erikson identified? Miracles happen, but growing up in an environment stifled by unstable relationships with your family only to emerge with a growing sense of purpose in life is more than a miracle. In the book A Course in Miracles he shares that a miracle is a change in perception. It is quite difficult to have this shift in perception if you don’t take the time to contemplate. Spending time in contemplation and self-reflection can define how you will meet the challenges of your later life.
References:
Erikson, Erik (1959). Identity and Life Cycle. New York: International Universities Press.
Erikson, Erik (1968). Identity, Youth and Crisis. New York: Norton.