Erik Erickson Psychosocial Theory Summary

Erik Erickson was the first theorist to develop a framework that addressed identity development from certain key stages in an individuals life (Karkouti, 2014). Erickson viewed human development in a social and historical context. It categorized factors that influence development into eight stages (Karkouti, 2014).
Each stage presented can be characterized by a psychosocial conflict that can be corrected by managing internal behaviors and the social world (Karkouti, 2014). If an individual can successfully resolve each crisis within each stage the healthier their development will be. This paper will examine in detail Erickson’s eight stages of psychosocial development.
Erikson’s Psychosocial Stages
Stage One: Trust vs. Mistrust Trust versus mistrust is Erik Erickson’s first psychosocial stage. This stage is mostly experienced the first year of life (the book). The development of trust that an infant engages in sets the positive or negative expectation they have on the world (Karkouti, 2014). If the parents of the child meet the child’s essential needs, the child develops trust. Hence, if those needs aren 't met, the child develops mistrust. The basic strength of this stage is hope. The feeling of confidence coincides with the belief of desires will be satisfied.
Stage

This stage occurs in middle adulthood. Middle adulthood according to Erikson starts approximately from thirty-five to fifty-five. When Erikson thought of generativity, he thought about this generation having a active involvement in helping and teaching younger generations to live useful lives. When an individual has not been able to help, this causes feelings of stagnation. Furthermore, not being able to give back cause cause someone to feel a lack of growth. The basic strength of this stage is care. Therefore, if your goal is to care, this gives you a chance to care for another and have the need to teach