Erikson's psychosocial development theory erik erikson's psychosocial crisis life cycle model the eight stages of human development

(Reciprocal love for 

and with another 

person.) 

reciprocal feature in the intimacy experienced during this stage - giving 

and receiving - especially between sexual or marital partners.  

 

Isolation conversely means being and feeling excluded from the usual 

life experiences of dating and mating and mutually loving 

relationships. This logically is characterised by feelings of loneliness, 

alienation, social withdrawal or non-participation. 

 

Erikson also later correlated this stage with the Freudian Genitality 

sexual stage, which illustrates the difficulty in equating Freudian 

psychosexual theory precisely to Erikson's model. There is a 

correlation but it is not an exact fit. 

7. Generativity v 

Stagnation 

 

'To make be'

 

 

'To take care of' 

 

(Unconditional, non-

reciprocating care of 

one's children, or 

other altruistic 

outlets)

 

Generativity derives from the word generation, as in parents and 

children, and specifically the unconditional giving that characterises 

positive parental love and care for their offspring. Erikson 

acknowledged that this stage also extends to other productive activities 

- work and creativity for example - but given his focus on childhood 

development, and probably the influence of Freudian theory, Erikson's 

analysis of this stage was strongly oriented towards parenting. 

Generativity potentially extends beyond one's own children, and also to 

all future generations, which gives the model ultimately a very modern 

globally responsible perspective.  

 

Positive outcomes from this crisis stage depend on contributing 

positively and unconditionally. We might also see this as an end of 

self-interest. Having children is not a prerequisite for Generativity, just 

as being a parent is no guarantee that Generativity will be achieved. 

Caring for children is the common Generativity scenario, but success at 

this stage actually depends on giving and caring - putting something 

back into life, to the best of one's capabilities. 

 

Stagnation is an extension of intimacy which turns inward in the form 

of self-interest and self-absorption. It's the disposition that represents 

feelings of selfishness, self-indulgence, greed, lack of interest in young 

people and future generations, and the wider world. 

 

Erikson later used the term 'Self-Absorption' instead of 'Stagnation' and 

then seems to have settled in later work with the original 'Stagnation'.  

 

Stagnation and/or Self-Absorption result from not having an outlet or 

opportunity for contributing to the good or growth of children and 

others, and potentially to the wider world. 

8. Integrity v Despair 

 

This is a review and closing stage. The previous stage is actually a 

culmination of one's achievement and contribution to descendents, and 

---

'To be, through 

having been

 

 

To face not being'

 

 

(To be peaceful and 

satisfied with one's 

life and efforts, and to 

be accepting that life 

will end.) 

potentially future generations everywhere. 

 

Later Erikson dropped the word 'Ego' (from 'Ego Integrity') and 

extended the whole term to 'Integrity v Disgust and Despair'. He also 

continued to use the shorter form 'Integrity v Despair'. 

 

Integrity means feeling at peace with oneself and the world. No regrets 

or recriminations. The linking between the stages is perhaps clearer 

here than anywhere: people are more likely to look back on their lives 

positively and happily if they have left the world a better place than 

they found it - in whatever way, to whatever extent. There lies Integrity 

and acceptance.  

 

Despair and/or 'Disgust' (i.e., rejective denial, or 'sour grapes' feeling 

towards what life might have been) represent the opposite disposition: 

feelings of wasted opportunities, regrets, wishing to be able to turn 

back the clock and have a second chance. 

 

This stage is a powerful lens through which to view one's life - even 

before old age is reached.  

To bring this idea to life look at the 

'obituaries' exercise

. 

 

Erikson had a profound interest in humanity and society's well-being in 

general. This crisis stage highlights the issue very meaningfully. 

 

Happily these days for many people it's often possible to put something 

back, even in the depths of despair. When this happens people are 

effectively rebuilding wreckage from the previous stage, which is fine. 

  

erikson's basic psychosocial virtues or strengths 

(positive outcomes) 

The chart below identifies the 'basic psychosocial virtues' - and related 

strengths - which result from successfully passing through each crisis. Erikson 

described success as a 'favourable ratio' (between the two extremes) at each 

crisis stage. 

A basic virtue is not the result of simply achieving the positive extreme of 

each crisis. Basic virtue is attained by a helpful balance, albeit towards the 

'positive', between the two extremes. Helpfully balanced experience leads to 

positive growth. 

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