erik erikson's stages of psychosocial issues & tasks
Stage of Psychosocial Issues & Tasks
|
Stage |
Age |
Issue |
Task |
|
infant |
0-1 |
trust vs mistrust |
to give vs to get |
|
toddler |
2-3 |
autonomy vs shame & doubt |
to hold on vs to let go |
|
preschooler |
3-6 |
initiative vs guilt |
to go after vs play |
|
school-age |
7-12 |
industry vs inferiority |
to complete vs to make things together |
All humans learn by interacting and watching other humans. A child deprived
of contact with others cannot learn socially appropriate behaviors. Erik
Erikson is well known for his documentation of this process which he calls
his Social Theory. His theory is based on a series of stages. His theory has
more stages than I have listed here but I have focused on those that are
related to early childhood.
During the first stage of Trust vs Mistrust, the child is
developing a sense of trust or mistrust in the world and those in it.
During this time, if the infant receives care that is primarily consistent
and from a familiar person over time, the child learns to trust in that
person and the world (See Trust Cycle). If, however, the child is handed off
to a variety of people who provide the initial care, or if the child's needs
are not adequately met, the child learns to mistrust the world.
Whether the child develops trust, or mistrust, then determines the course of
the other stages. A child that mistrusts the world might be less likely to
go after and seek out new things in the world, or might be stiffled by
feelings of self-doubt or shame based on feelings of being so unworthy, no
one provided care.
|
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