20) Erik Erikson’s eight stages of man theory suggests that every person has eight stages in their life cycle that they must pass through. Erikson assumed that a crisis of psychosocial nature happened at each of his stages because the person’s psychological needs would conflict with society’s needs and if each stage was completed successfully, then the person would have a healthy personality. If they were unable to complete a stage, they would have an unhealthy sense of self and personality, but failed stages could be resolved at a later time. Acquired virtues such as our characteristic strengths can be used by the ego to resolve future crises which happen.
Stage 1
Basic Trust vs Mistrust – Hope ( Infancy: Birth to 18 months old)
In this first stage the child will develop optimism, security and confidence if they are taken care of …show more content…
People try to build a stable life and make a difference in society, which Erikson called generativity. People fear inactivity and meaninglessness in this stage. Significant relationships are within the family, at work, in a place of worship or in the community. People who don’t care about self-improvement or don’t want to contribute to society or make a difference in life can feel dissatisfied and struggle to find purpose. This is called stagnation.
Stage 8
Integrity vs Despair – Wisdom (Late adulthood: 55 or 65 to death)
There is a large amount of reflection in this stage. As the majority of a person’s life is spent preparing for this stage, an older adult can look back with honesty and think about what they have achieved. There can be feelings of contentment and integrity if that person’s life had a purpose and if they made a difference to society but if they didn’t, then people can experience despair and dwell on failures and wonder what the point of life
Stage 1
Basic Trust vs Mistrust – Hope ( Infancy: Birth to 18 months old)
In this first stage the child will develop optimism, security and confidence if they are taken care of …show more content…
People try to build a stable life and make a difference in society, which Erikson called generativity. People fear inactivity and meaninglessness in this stage. Significant relationships are within the family, at work, in a place of worship or in the community. People who don’t care about self-improvement or don’t want to contribute to society or make a difference in life can feel dissatisfied and struggle to find purpose. This is called stagnation.
Stage 8
Integrity vs Despair – Wisdom (Late adulthood: 55 or 65 to death)
There is a large amount of reflection in this stage. As the majority of a person’s life is spent preparing for this stage, an older adult can look back with honesty and think about what they have achieved. There can be feelings of contentment and integrity if that person’s life had a purpose and if they made a difference to society but if they didn’t, then people can experience despair and dwell on failures and wonder what the point of life