Erik Erikson Psychosocial Development

Erik Erikson Psychological Stages (Second Part)

Industry versus Inferiority: The stage occurs during childhood between the ages of six and eleven.  There is a virtue in this stage name competence.  School and social interaction play an important role during this time of a child’s life. Through social interactions, children begin to develop a sense of pride in their accomplishments and abilities. At this stage they are in school and are sorrounded by peers and they are uncredibly amazing at achieving many tasks successfuly and they want to excel their abilities. According to Erikson, this stage is vital in the development of self-confidence. During school and other social activities, children receive praise and attention for performing various tasks such as reading, writing, drawing and solving problems. Children need to cope with new social and academic demands. Also, success leads to a sense of competence, while failure results in feelings of inferiority. 

Identity versus Confusion: This is the fifth stage of development. We now stop exploring children and Erikson states that this stage is unique but difficult to some teenagers. Teens begin to explore what they are, their self is in constant movement. They are wondering who they are; they tend to focus only in themselves. 

This stage occurs during adolescence between the ages of approximately 12 to 18. since they are moving from childhood to adolescence they feel often confused and insecure about themselves and they think how they fit in their context, school, society, peers, friends.  "What am I all about?" and "What am I going to do with my life?" are the main questions teens aske to themselves. if adolescents are able to explore these roles in a nice way they may achieve a positive identity. I explore this questions, but I did not give them answers until late years after. I was so busy at that moment that I did not pay attention to "What am I going to do...in order to achieve my goals?" Then when I was 18 I think, I started to put effort and give them response. It is something not to take for granted (the  self -questioning) because it might be too late.  

Intimacy versus Isolation: this stage goes between 19 and 40 years of age. As the name of the stage stands, people are thinking if they are going to be loved or lonely. This feelings appear constantly preocupied to know their destiny in this area. Erikson believe that having these stages fulfilled is essential because the previous helps the next one. If a person does not have a sense of positive image, their relationships are not healthy and are not successful.  There are studies  which have demonstrated that those with a poor sense of self tend to have less committed relationships and are more likely to suffer emotional isolation, loneliness, and depression.  The more people develop get close relationships the more they will feel less isolated. 

Generativity versus Stagnation: occurs approximately between the ages of 40 and 65. Adults are working and taking care of their children. Their main task is to work for them and then they feel happy. My mommy and daddy are at this stage of their lives. They are mainly preocuppied about their work, their performance on it and their family. Even though they are living apart from each other, I recognize that they have done a great work when they were together.  Two components to get through are:  Generativity refers to "making your mark" on the world, through caring for others, creating things and accomplishing things that make the world a better place. Stagnation refers to the failure to find a way to contribute. These individuals may feel disconnected or uninvolved with their community and with society as a whole. 

Those who are successful during this phase will feel that they are contributing to the world by being active in their home and community. Those who fail to attain this skill will feel unproductive and uninvolved in the world. 

Integrity versus Despair: occurs approximately between 65 through the end of life. To me this stage demonstrate the begining of a more complete life. People who feel proud of their accomplishments will feel a sense of integrity. Successfully completing this phase means looking back with few regrets and a general feeling of satisfaction. These individuals will attain wisdom, even when confronting death. Those who feel proud of their accomplishments will feel a sense of integrity. Successfully completing this phase means looking back with few regrets and a general feeling of satisfaction. These individuals will attain wisdom, even when confronting death. My grandma, says that for her age, she is only awating for death. She feels that she has helped her family. Even when she is sick she made fun of her sickness saying that  "ya  es "el pijo" de años, that is why she is sick.  (lots of years she is.)  She  knows that God is merciful and that we do not have to be angry at him, even when she is sick.  Those who are unsuccessful during this phase will feel that their life has been wasted and will experience many regrets. The individual will be left with feelings of bitterness and despair. I thik this has to do with those moments of "What if..." people is constantly fighting with this due to that fear they had and now that they are old, they cannot persue it. This is why we have to live every moment if it was the last we have... To me this stages are more proximate to what we are living or lived at certain point. I agree with Erikson and his capacity to depict all these stages.  In order to understand our stages and facilitate our knowledge, Erikson let us know how to manage or what we can expect from someone at certain stage. 

This is the end of the first topic peers!! 

Let us continue! 

Carpe diem :)