PSY502 Lectures 36-37

PART 1: ERIK ERIKSON – PSYCHOSOCIAL DEVELOPMENT

🔹 Who was Erik Erikson?

Erik Erikson (1902–1994) was a psychologist who studied how a person develops psychologically across the whole life. Unlike Freud, who focused mainly on sexual drives, Erikson believed development is shaped mostly by social experiences. 📘 Key term:

• Psychosocial = “Psycho” means mind + “social” means society. So psychosocial development means your mind grows through your interactions with people and society.

Erikson believed:

1. Development continues from birth to old age.
2. At every stage, a person faces a life problem or conflict.
3. How you solve that conflict shapes your personality.

He described 8 stages of life. Each stage has two sides - a positive side and a negative side.

1. Trust vs Mistrust (Birth to 1 year)

👉 What is happening?

A baby depends fully on caregivers. 📘 Terms:

• Trust = feeling safe and secure with others
• Mistrust = feeling fear, doubt, and suspicion

✔ If parents are loving, consistent, and responsive → the baby learns trust. ✘ If care is cold, unpredictable, or neglectful → baby learns mistrust. 🧠 Example: If a baby cries and the mother comforts them every time, the baby learns: “The world is safe.” If nobody comes, the baby learns: “I cannot rely on anyone.” Result:

• Success → confidence and security
• Failure → anxiety and fear of others

2. Autonomy vs Shame and Doubt (1–3 years)

👉 What is happening?

Children start doing things on their own. 📘 Terms:

• Autonomy = independence
• Shame = feeling bad about yourself
• Doubt = not trusting your abilities

✔ If children are encouraged → they feel capable ✘ If they are controlled or scolded → they feel ashamed 🧠 Example: A child wants to feed themselves. If parents allow it → “I can do things!” If parents say “No, you are useless” → “I am bad at everything.” Result:

• Success → confidence and independence
• Failure → low self-esteem and dependence

3. Initiative vs Guilt (3–6 years)

👉 What is happening?

Children start planning games and activities. 📘 Terms:

• Initiative = ability to start things
• Guilt = feeling like you did something wrong

✔ If allowed to explore → they become leaders ✘ If stopped harshly → they feel guilty for trying 🧠 Example: A child creates a new game. If praised → “I am creative.” If scolded → “I should not try new things.” Result:

• Success → leadership and confidence
• Failure → fear of taking action

4. Industry vs Inferiority (6 years to puberty)

👉 What is happening?

Children work hard in school and skills. 📘 Terms:

• Industry = working with effort
• Inferiority = feeling not good enough

✔ Encouraged → feel capable ✘ Criticized → feel useless 🧠 Example: A child solves math problems. If teacher praises → “I am smart.” If always compared → “I am a failure.” Result:

• Success → competence
• Failure → low confidence

5. Identity vs Role Confusion (Teenage years)

👉 What is happening?

Teens ask: “Who am I?” 📘 Terms:

• Identity = clear sense of self
• Role confusion = not knowing who you are

✔ If exploration is allowed → strong identity