Life-span Development assignment

Lifespan Development 2222

A Psychosocial Theory: Erikson’s Eight Stages of Man

*Each stage involves a “crisis,” which is really a task that we are working to master in our psychosocial (psychological, emotional, relationship) world. What happens if we don’t master a stage effectively? Well, we end up going back to that stage within other stages to continue to work on it. For instance, if we engage in heavy alcohol use as a teenager, we are less likely to achieve identity formation. We may miss out on working through stressors, engaging in learning opportunities through choices of classes, volunteering, working, and activities, and we may not develop a full sense of ‘who am I.’ When entering the young adult stage, then, it is difficult to form a lifetime commitment to someone else. After all, if I don’t know who I am and what I truly want in life, how can I commit to a life with someone else? THUS, in this case, the individual will need to tackle the identity issue in young adulthood—before s/he can tackle the task of achieving intimacy. (

1. Infant: Trust vs Mistrust Needs maximum comfort with minimal uncertainty to trust himself/herself, others, and the environment

2. Toddler: Autonomy vs Shame and Doubt Works to master physical environment while maintaining self-esteem

3. Preschooler: Initiative vs Guilt Begins to initiate, not imitate, activities; develops conscience and sexual identity

4. School-Age Child: Industry vs Inferiority Tries to develop a sense of self-worth by refining skills

5. Adolescent: Identity vs Role Confusion Tries integrating many roles (child, sibling, student, athlete, worker) into a self-image under role model and peer pressure

6. Young Adult: Intimacy vs Isolation Learns to make personal commitment to another as spouse, parent or partner

7. Middle-Age Adult: Generativity vs Stagnation Seeks satisfaction through productivity in career, family, and civic interests

8. Older Adult: Integrity vs Despair Reviews life accomplishments, deals with loss and preparation for death