http://www.businessballs.com/erik_erikson_psychosocial_theory.htm#erikson_psychosocial_theory_su
mmary
erikson's psychosocial development
theory
erik erikson's psychosocial crisis life cycle model - the eight stages of human
development
Erikson's model of psychosocial development is a very significant, highly
regarded and meaningful concept.
Life is a serious of lessons and challenges which help us to grow. Erikson's
wonderful theory helps to tell us why.
The theory is helpful for child development, and adults too.
For the 'lite' version, here's a
quick diagram and summary
. Extra details follow
the initial overview.
For more information than appears on this page, read Erikson's books; he was
an award-winning writer and this review does not convey the richness of
Erikson's own explanations. It's also interesting to see how his ideas develop
over time, perhaps aided by his own journey through the 'psychosocial crisis'
stages model that underpinned his work.
Erik Erikson first published his eight stage theory of human development in
his 1950 book Childhood and Society. The chapter featuring the model was
titled 'The Eight Ages of Man'. He expanded and refined his theory in later
books and revisions, notably: Identity and the Life Cycle (1959); Insight and
Responsibility (1964); The Life Cycle Completed: A Review (1982, revised
1996 by Joan Erikson); and Vital Involvement in Old Age (1989).
Erikson's
biography
lists more books.
Various terms are used to describe Erikson's model, for example Erikson's
biopsychosocial or bio-psycho-social theory (bio refers to biological, which in
this context means life); Erikson's human development cycle or life cycle, and
variations of these. All refer to the same eight stages psychosocial theory, it
being Erikson's most distinct work and remarkable model.
The word 'psychosocial' is Erikson's term, effectively from the words
psychological (mind) and social (relationships).
Erikson believed that his psychosocial principle is genetically inevitable in
shaping human development. It occurs in all people.
He also referred to his theory as 'epigenesis' and the 'epigenetic principle',
which signified the concept's relevance to evolution (past and future) and
genetics.
Erikson explained his use of the word 'epigenesis' thus: "...epi can mean
'above' in space as well as 'before' in time, and in connection with genesis can
well represent the space-time nature of all development..." (from Vital
Involvement in Old Age, 1989).
In Erikson's theory, Epigenetic therefore does not refer to individual genetic
make-up and its influence on individual development. This was not central to
Erikson's ideas.
Erikson, like Freud, was largely concerned with how personality and behaviour
is influenced after birth - not before birth - and especially during childhood. In
the 'nature v nurture' (genes v experience) debate, Erikson was firmly focused
on nurture and experience.
erik erikson's eight stages of psychosocial
development
Like other seminal concepts, Erikson's model is simple and elegant, yet very
sophisticated. The theory is a basis for broad or complex discussion and
analysis of personality and behaviour, and also for understanding and for
facilitating personal development - of self and others.
The main elements of the theory covered in this explanation are:
Erikson theory overview
- a diagram and concise explanation of the
main features of model.
The Freudian stages of psychosexual development
, which influenced
Erikson's approach to the psychosocial model.
Erikson's 'psychosocial crises' (or crisis stages)
- meanings and
interpretations.
'Basic virtues' (basic strengths)
- the potential positive outcomes arising
from each of the crisis stages.
'Maladapations' and 'Malignancies'
- potential negative outcomes (one
or the other) arising from each crisis stage.
Erikson terminology
- variations and refinements to names and
headings, etc.
Erik Erikson biography (briefly)
N.B. This summary occasionally uses the terms 'positive' and 'negative' to
identify the first or second factors in each crisis (e.g., Trust = positive;
Mistrust = negative) however no crisis factor (disposition or emotional force -
whatever you choose to call them - descriptions are quite tricky as even
Erikson found) is actually wholly positive or wholly negative. Healthy
personality development is based on a sensible balance between 'positive' and
'negative' dispositions at each crisis stage. Erikson didn't use the words
positive and negative in this sense. He tended to use 'syntonic' and 'dystonic'
to differentiate between the two sides of each crisis, which is why I
occasionally use the more recognisable 'positive' and 'negative' terms, despite
them being potentially misleading. You should also qualify your use of these
terms if using them in relation to the crisis stages.
erikson's psychosocial theory - summary diagram
Here's a broad introduction to the main features of Erikson's model. Various
people have produced different interpretations like this grid below. Erikson
produced a few charts of his own too, from different perspectives, but he
seems never to have produced a fully definitive matrix. To aid explanation
and use of his theory he produced several perspectives in grid format, some
of which he advocated be used as worksheets. He viewed his concept as an
evolving work in progress. This summary attempts to show the main points of
the Erikson psychosocial crisis theory of human development. More detail
follows this overview.
Erikson's
psychosocial
crisis stages
(syntonic v
dystonic)
Freudian
psycho-
sexual
stages
life stage /
relationships
/
issues
basic virtue and
second named
strength (potential
positive outcomes
from each crisis)
maladaptation
/
malignancy
(potential
negative outcome - one or
the other - from unhelpful
experience during each
crisis)
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