Erikson explained the impact of social experiences in a child's life, across the whole lifespan. He was very much interested in knowing how social relationships and interactions play a role in the development of a human being. Just like Freud believed, Erikson believed that each stage of life presents children with a conflict. Conflicts serve as a turning point in a child's life, depending on how it was resolved.

Conflicts encountered are meant to either develop a psychological quality or failing to develop that quality. During each stage, there are equal chances to either fail or grow. Children who successfully deal with these conflicts, gain psychological strength that will last for the rest of their lives.

If parents support their children go through all stages without interruption, children learn the art of mastery, which is also called ego strength.  On the other hand, if the stages are managed poorly, children emerge with a feeling of inadequacy. Erikson came up with eight stages, which we are going to focus on today.

Development Theory of Psychosocial by Erik Erikson

1.   Trust vs. Mistrust.

According to Erik Erikson's theory of psychosocial development, this is the first stage and occurs in the infancy stage, which is between birth-18 months. Because the child is dependent on the caregiver, this stage becomes the most fundamental in building trust. Children look upon their parents to provide them with food, security, love, warmth and nurturing. When these needs are not met by the caregiver, the child may end up having trust issues. Since the trust is lost, they find it hard to trust other people even in adulthood. Children who go through this stage successfully, develop a sense of security and safety and they will trust others. Failure to develop trust leads children into feelings of fear, making them think that the world is unpredictable. One thing you should know is that no child can develop 100% hope, it's all about balancing the two opposing sides. If this happens, a child develops a basic virtue, hope.

2.   Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt.

This is the second stage and happens during early childhood, between 2-3 years. It's a stage focused on instilling a sense of personal control in children. Children start gaining some independence and perform simple tasks on their own. They also make decisions about what they prefer in terms of clothes, toys, food, etc. When parents and caregivers allow their children choices, they help them develop a sense of autonomy. Potty training mostly is done here and helps children learn to control their physical needs. Children who are shamed for little accidents may never outgrow this stage and therefore may lack personal control. Success fills a child with autonomy and confidence, while failure offers shame and doubt. The basic virtue developed is will.

3.   Initiative vs. Guilt.

Happens during the preschool period, between 3-5 years. Children through playing, start gaining power and control over the world. Those who succeed, feel capable and make good leaders. Those who fail and are criticized in this stage, are left to feel guilty, have self-doubt, and lack initiative in life. So, if a child acquires all the skills that this stage offers, he/she becomes purposeful. The basic virtue that a child needs to develop is purpose.

4.   Industry vs. Inferiority.

It's a stage happening during school years of between 6-11 years. Children begin to develop a sense of pride and abilities in things they accomplish. This happens through interacting with their peers. This is where children are faced with new social and academic demands, which require them to perform well. A child who passes well here, becomes competent, while whoever fails feels inferior. So, it's very important for parents and teachers to commend and congratulate children when they achieve something. It activates their reward system, which pushes them to do better. Even children who don't do well still need encouragement. The basic virtue here is competency.

5.   Identity vs. Role Confusion.

Erikson believed that this stage happens during adolescence, between 12-18 years. This is a stage filled with turbulence and teenagers struggle to develop a sense of personal identity. Identity continues to influence their behaviours till adulthood. Parents should help their children develop a sense of self and identity, as not being an observant parent, your child will be at risk of developing an identity crisis. Success enables teens to stay true to themselves while failure leads to role confusion. Independence and control are two characteristics portrayed by teens who endure this stage through words of encouragement and support from their parents. Identity is very important because it gives teens a homogenized sense of self. Identity guides our beliefs, actions, and behaviours as we grow old. The basic virtue is fidelity.

6.   Intimacy vs. Isolation.

This stage occurs during young adulthood, during the ages of 19-40 years. This is the stage where young adults are expected to form intimate and long-lasting relationships. Young people who persevere in this stage, develop strong relationships with others, while failure results in loneliness, which worsens isolation. This stage is usually demonstrated by people trying to explore and form personal relationships. According to Erikson, it is vital that people develop close and committed relationships with other people. Why? Because we are social beings and cannot live without solid friendships. Those who succeed in this step, form secure and enduring relationships, which are carried throughout life. Those who don't do well in this stage, especially the ones without a sense of self end up having difficulty committing to a relationship and struggle emotionally. Loneliness and depression also attack such people. The basic virtue developed is love.

7.   Generativity vs. Stagnation.

Happens during middle adulthood, in the ages between 40-65 years of age. In this stage, adults are expected to create things that will add impact to their lives. They can do this by having children or maintaining a positive change that will impact other people's lives. When they succeed, they get a sense of usefulness and accomplishment. Failure on the other hand leads to little or no involvement at all in the world. This stage is where adults focus mostly on careers and family. When this stage is handled successfully, the adults become proud of their accomplishments while watching their children transition into adulthood. Adults also develop unity with their life partners. The virtue developed is care.

8. Integrity vs. Despair.

This stage occurs during maturity, at the age of 65-death. Happens during old age and usually focuses on the retrospection of life. This is where people look back to what they have achieved in life and determine if they are happy with how they lived. They can also regret things they did or did not do. To those who feel satisfied with their life, they feel content to face the remaining part of their lives. Those who get remorseful, develop a sense of fear that they will die having not achieved anything in this life. Such people end up feeling bitter and can easily despair. Those who are proud of themselves gain a sense of integrity and will have wisdom even when approaching death. The basic virtue developed is wisdom.

A Word of Wisdom.

As you continue to study more about parenting, I just want you to remember that this is a theory. Not everything theories say is true as there are weaknesses in each of them. All children may not turn out to be the same due to genetics, environment, health, nutrition, etc, so it's important to keep on learning.

On the other hand, the personality that a child develops in early childhood determines how a child will turn out to be. I hope this theory helps you understand better why people behave the way they do and opens your mind to think beyond what you have always known to be true.