Author: Shuhan Yu
Editors: Rachel Chen, Ian Cho
Artist: Sherry Zhang
People often associate psychology with the therapist's chair or mental health issues. However, psychology plays an important role in nearly every stage of life, from birth to death. Developmental psychology is a branch of psychology that studies personal growth and changes across an individual's lifetime. One of the leading conceptual frameworks in this area has been Erik Erikson's eight-stage theory of psychosocial development. It describes eight stages which individuals are supposed to pass in relation to their development. Each one of these is different, and helps the personality evolve through conflicting issues.
The first stage is trust versus mistrust. It begins at birth and lasts until a child is 18 months old. The main focus during infancy is developing trust, which occurs when caregivers meet the infant’s needs through feeding, affection, and care. The child will therefore begin to perceive the world as non-threatening and accommodating. On the other hand, unresponsive caregivers will make the child fearful and mistrusting, projecting the world as an unpredictable and unsafe place. These perceptions fundamentally shape a child’s outlook on life.
The second stage, autonomy and shame, happens between the ages of 1 to 3. During this stage, the child learns to be independent. They are explorers of their environment and know things happen due to their actions. Autonomy, or the state of making decisions and inferences without the help of others, is the major task faced by the toddler during this stage. If the toddler is given choices, they will feel confident to make their own decisions; however, if they are overcontrolled or criticized, feelings of shame and doubt about their abilities may develop.
The third stage, initiative and guilt, occurs from the ages of 3 to 6. During preschool, the child starts to take charge in play and other social interactions; that is, the child can now do things herself. Success brings a sense of direction, in that the child feels she can repeat the accomplishments. It is an imitative stage at the same time. Failure is accompanied by feelings of guilt, resulting from control on the part of the parents, denying the child the right to express her need for independence.
The fourth stage, referred to as industry and inferiority, takes place between the ages of 7 and 11. During elementary school, children compare themselves to their peers and work to develop an understanding of their own abilities relative to others. Successful experiences in academics, sports, and social interactions develop a sense of pride and accomplishment. If a child feels inadequate or inferior in these areas of their lives, they may find themselves stuck in low self-esteem. Parents and teachers can encourage success through actions such as setting small goals, praising efforts, and encouraging extracurricular activities. By providing a supportive atmosphere in which a child knows it is okay to make mistakes and that it is part of learning, they will learn to overcome doubt and be more confident in their abilities.
Stage five, identity and role confusion, takes place between 12 and 18 years of age. The adolescent period is a time for self-discovery and important questions concerning one's identity and future. A well-adjusted teenager establishes a clear sense of self during this process by 'trying on' different identities. Those who fail often experience confusion and insecurity, unsure of their role both amongst peers and in the world. For example, if an adolescent person feels confused and dislocated concerning what other friends have, then he or she will often face problems such as anxiety or may develop a low self-esteem.
Stage six is called intimacy and isolation, and it spans from the ages of 19 to 29. During this stage, an individual starts to focus more seriously on relationships during early adulthood. This is because unless the person has an established sense of identity, it is difficult to build a healthy relationship. The specific people can build deep friendships or romantic relationships. Conversely, if the identity formed is not stable, it fosters feelings of loneliness and inability to connect with others. They may have problems with sustaining their relationships or even feel scared of committing to one.
Stage seven, generativity and stagnation, takes place from the ages of 30 to 64. During middle adulthood, a person would like to contribute productively to society and the next generation through work, parenting, and community service. The successful realization of this stage is called "generativity," where people feel that they are productive and helpful, for example, mentoring a younger colleague or volunteering. Equally important, individuals who feel unproductive or non-contributive during this stage may feel unfulfilled and unhappy.
Stage eight, integrity and despair, spans from age 65 to the end of a person’s life. During this stage, the individual looks back on his or her life. If the individual feels he or she has lived a good life and is proud of his or her accomplishments, then the individual feels a sense of integrity and satisfaction and may often share his or her life stories. Such as, an older adult who has lived a successful life and felt he has completed his goals. Whereby, if they reflect on what they have not done and what they have missed out on in life, they will feel regretful, believing their life has been wasted, and can even feel hopeless.
Citations:
By, McLeod, S., on, U., & 25, J. (2024, January 25). Erikson’s stages of development. Simply
Orenstein, G. A. (2022, November 7). Eriksons stages of psychosocial development. StatPearls
[Internet]. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK556096/
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