Human Development
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Moral Development: Social Development theory
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Erickson’s psychosocial theory
Stages of Psychosocial Development
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Psychosocial Development in Preschool, Middle Childhood, and Adolescence
By Kendra Cherry
What is Psychosocial Development?
Erik Erikson's theory of psychosocial development is one of the best-known theories of personality in psychology. Much like Sigmund Freud, Erikson believed that personality develops in a series of stages. Different to Freud's theory of psychosexual stages, Erikson's theory describes the impact of social experience across the whole lifespan.
One of the main elements of Erikson's psychosocial stage theory is the development of ego identity. Ego identity is the conscious sense of self that human develops through social interaction. According to Erikson, people’s ego identity is constantly changing due to new experiences and information they acquire in their daily social interactions. In addition to ego identity, he believed that a sense of competence motivates behaviours and actions. Each stage in Erikson's theory is concerned with becoming competent in an area of life White et al, (2005). He emphasised by saying that if the stages are handled well, the person will feel a sense of mastery (total control over somebody or something), which is sometimes referred to as ego strength or ego quality. If the stage is poorly managed, the person will emerge with a sense of inadequacy.
In each stage, Erikson believed people experience a conflict that serves as a turning point in development. In his view, these conflicts are centered on either developing a psychological quality or failing to develop that quality. During these times, the potential for personal growth is high, but so is the potential for failure. Erickson has developed eight stages in his psychosocial theory which are the
Moral Development: Social Development theory
-------------------------------------------------
Erickson’s psychosocial theory
Stages of Psychosocial Development
-------------------------------------------------
Psychosocial Development in Preschool, Middle Childhood, and Adolescence
By Kendra Cherry
What is Psychosocial Development?
Erik Erikson's theory of psychosocial development is one of the best-known theories of personality in psychology. Much like Sigmund Freud, Erikson believed that personality develops in a series of stages. Different to Freud's theory of psychosexual stages, Erikson's theory describes the impact of social experience across the whole lifespan.
One of the main elements of Erikson's psychosocial stage theory is the development of ego identity. Ego identity is the conscious sense of self that human develops through social interaction. According to Erikson, people’s ego identity is constantly changing due to new experiences and information they acquire in their daily social interactions. In addition to ego identity, he believed that a sense of competence motivates behaviours and actions. Each stage in Erikson's theory is concerned with becoming competent in an area of life White et al, (2005). He emphasised by saying that if the stages are handled well, the person will feel a sense of mastery (total control over somebody or something), which is sometimes referred to as ego strength or ego quality. If the stage is poorly managed, the person will emerge with a sense of inadequacy.
In each stage, Erikson believed people experience a conflict that serves as a turning point in development. In his view, these conflicts are centered on either developing a psychological quality or failing to develop that quality. During these times, the potential for personal growth is high, but so is the potential for failure. Erickson has developed eight stages in his psychosocial theory which are the