Question

8. Examine the differences between the last four stages of Erikson’s life-span developmental theory and how they impact a child’s development.

Answer 1

Erik Erikson (1902 – 1994) has developed the psychosocial theory of life-span development. In disagreement with Sigmund Freud, Erikson postulated that humans develop in psychosocial stages rather than psychosexual stages. According to him, there are eight stages of psychosocial development.

1. Trust versus mistrust (1st year - Infancy)

2. Autonomy versus shame and doubt (1 to 3 yrs - Infancy)

3. Initiative versus guilt (3 to 5 yrs – Early childhood)

4. Industry versus inferiority (6 yrs to puberty – Middle and late childhood)

5. Identity versus identity confusion (10 to 20 yrs - Adolescence)

6. Intimacy versus isolation (20s, 30s – Early adulthood)

7. Generativity versus stagnation (40s, 50s – Middle adulthood)

8. Integrity versus despair (60 onward – Late adulthood)

Unlike Freud, Erikson argued that developmental change happens throughout the life span. Every individual passes through eight stages of development. At each stage, the individual has to face a developmental task which eventually confronts the individual with a crisis which has to be resolved. The more an individual succeeds in resolving the crisis, the healthier his/her development will be.

The last four stages of Erikson’s life-span developmental theory are Identity versus identity confusion, Intimacy versus isolation, Generativity versus stagnation, and Integrity versus despair as mentioned above.

Identity versus identity confusion

            Identity versus identity confusion is the fifth stage in Erikson’s theory occurring during the adolescent years. During this period the individual try to explore his/her role in the society as an individual. For example, who they are, what they are all about, and where they are going in life etc. This stage is very important as this is a transition period from childhood to adulthood. If children would be able to find their place in the society in terms of career, relationships, families, etc, they will achieve a positive identity. Failure to find a place and thereby fit in the society may eventually lead an individual to identity/role confusion.

Intimacy versus isolation

            Intimacy versus isolation is the sixth stage in the theory. It occurs during the early adulthood years. This is the stage where individuals try to form intimate relationships with others. An individual who succeeds in forming intimate relationships with others, for example friends, partner, family members etc. will end up with achieving the state of intimacy. Those who fail to form intimate and happy relationship with others will end up with a sense of isolation.

Generativity versus stagnation

            The seventh developmental stage occurs during middle adulthood. Generativity means a concern for guiding or helping the younger generation. The individuals who succeed in achieving generativity would experience a sense of being productive, useful, and a feeling of accomplishment. Those who fail will end up in stagnation, a feeling of having done nothing to guide the next generation.

Integrity versus despair

            The final stage of development which occurs during the late adulthood. This is the stage where people look back into the past. In doing so, if the person could sense a life well spent, the state of integrity will be achieved. If the person sense a life which is nonproductive and unworthy despair will be the result, which eventually lead to hopelessness and depression.