Psycho-Social Stages of Development

David Russell
Apr 21
7 min read

Updated: Apr 22

8 – STAGES

Erik Erikson was a developmental psychologist who in 1950 proposed a theory describing how our social skill and personality develop together as we grow and age. His theory suggests we progress through a predetermined order of eight stages, starting at birth and continuing until death, each with its own unique psychosocial challenges or crisis that must be resolved in order to successfully move on to the next stage. The eight stages of Erikson's theory are as follows: [Pay close attention to stages 1 – 5; they are critical to the way your personality has developed.]

1. Trust vs. Mistrust (birth to 1 year):

The first stage is characterized by a child's developing sense of trust in their caregivers. If the child's needs are consistently met and they feel safe and secure, they will develop a sense of trust. If not, they will develop a sense of mistrust and anxiety that will continue through life.

2. Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt (1 to 3 years):

The second stage is marked by a child's growing sense of independence and desire for control. If the child is allowed to make choices and explore their environment, they will develop a sense of autonomy. If not, they develop a sense of shame and doubt in their abilities.

3. Initiative vs. Guilt (3 to 6 years):

The third stage is characterized by a child's increasing desire to take on new challenges and explore their environment. If the child is encouraged and supported in their endeavors, they will develop a sense of initiative. If not, they develop a sense of guilt or anxiety about their actions.

4. Industry vs. Inferiority (6 to 11 years):

The fourth stage is marked by a child's desire to master new skills and achieve success. If the child is able to do so and receives positive feedback, they will develop a sense of industry. If not, they may develop a sense of inferiority or low self-esteem.

5. Identity vs. Role Confusion (Adolescence):

The fifth stage is characterized by a teenager's search for a sense of self and their place in the world. If they are able to successfully explore different identities and roles, they will develop a strong sense of identity. If not, they may become confused and struggle with their sense of self.

6. Intimacy vs. Isolation (Young Adulthood):

The sixth stage is marked by a person's desire for intimacy and close relationships. If they are able to form meaningful connections with others, they will develop a sense of intimacy. If not, they may become isolated and struggle with feelings of loneliness.

7. Generativity vs. Stagnation (Middle Adulthood):

The seventh stage is characterized by a person's desire to make a positive impact on the world and future generations. If they are able to do so and feel a sense of purpose, they will develop a sense of generativity. If not, they may become stagnant and feel unfulfilled.

8. Integrity vs. Despair (Late Adulthood):

The final stage is marked by a person's reflection on their life and legacy. If they are able to accept their past and find meaning in their life, they will develop a sense of integrity. If not, they may experience feelings of despair and regret.

DEVELOPMENTAL ASSESSMENT

I feel the need to start this discussion about personality development with a disclaimer; determining whether someone has successfully achieved a particular stage of psychosocial development requires a nuanced approach. It's important to remember that psychosocial development is a complex and ongoing process, and individuals may progress through the stages at different rates and with different levels of success. It's also important to consider the context in which the individual existed during their development. Factors such as culture, upbringing, and life experiences can all influence their level of success, and may impact their ability to achieve a particular stage of development. Ultimately, the best way to truly know answers about your psycho-social development is to be assessed by a counselor in the field of psychology or sociology.

With that said, I wish to use this eight-stage model for gaining insight into how the hard-wiring of neurons in your brain formed the person you are today. A personality disorder is not a mental illness, like depression or bi-polar, but it can co-exist. Your personality is “hard-wired” in your brain, while mental illness is a chemical imbalance that requires medical treatment. Think of personality disorders like different climates in the world; Florida is hot and humid, while Alaska is cold and dry. Mental illness’ are the storms that develop in those climates; Florida experiences hurricanes while Alaska has blizzards. Mental illness such as depression or bi-polar will manifest (appear) differently based on your personality traits (disorders).

For a long time following the development of Erikson’s theory, it was believed that if you formed an unsuccessful psycho-social personality in your youth, then that is who you will be the rest of your life. That is until science discovered “Neuroplasticity”. The concept of neuroplasticity has been studied and discussed by neuroscientists for many decades, but it wasn't until the 1990’s that it became widely accepted as a scientific principle. This was due in part to the development of new technologies, such as functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), that allowed researchers to directly observe changes in the brain's structure and function in response to experiences.

Researchers observed that the brain could reorganize and compensate for damage caused by injury or disease. For example, studies of stroke patients found that other areas of the brain could take over functions that had been lost due to damage in specific regions. That is why a person who is blind develops amazing ability to hear sounds; the area of the brain used for sight is repurposed to increase other sensations such as sound or touch. The brain rewires itself when the demand for change is placed on it. In other words, you can change who you are today.

ISSUES - questionnaire

I have put together a brief series of questions that should help you gain a greater understanding into how your progression has gone, and increased insight to possible root causes of issues with your own personality. Here are five yes/no questions for each of Erikson's stages of psychosocial development. If you answer 3 or more no’s in a given stage then you may be struggling with this issue.

Trust vs. Mistrust:

Do you feel like you can trust others to meet your needs? (Yes/No)
Have you kept away from any major disruptions to your sense of safety or security? (Yes/No)
Are you comfortable asking for help when you need it? (Yes/No)
Do you trust others easily without suspicion? (Yes/No)
Have you had positive experiences with others that have strengthened your trust in them? (Yes/No)

Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt:

Do you feel comfortable making decisions for yourself? (Yes/No)
Are you able to express your needs and desires? (Yes/No)
Do you handle criticism or negative feedback very well? (Yes/No)
Do you accept responsibility for your actions and refrain from blaming others? (Yes/No)
Are you able to learn from your mistakes and move forward? (Yes/No)

Initiative vs. Guilt:

Are you comfortable trying new things and taking risks? (Yes/No)
Do you feel like you have a sense of purpose or direction in life? (Yes/No)
Do you handle failure or setbacks very well? (Yes/No)
Do you take responsibility for your actions, and avoid blaming others? (Yes/No)
Do you try again even when you repeatedly fail? (Yes/No)

Industry vs. Inferiority:

Do you feel a sense of pride or accomplishment when you complete a task? (Yes/No)
Do you handle competition or comparison with others in a positive manner? (Yes/No)
Have you avoided having any major setbacks or failures in your pursuits? (Yes/No)
Do you feel confident in your abilities? (Yes/No)
Are you able to take on challenges and persevere through difficult times? (Yes/No)

Identity vs. Role Confusion:

Do you have a clear understanding of your values and beliefs? (Yes/No)
Do you avoid comparing yourself with others? (Yes/No)
Have you remained confident about who you are even when faced with major changes in your life? (Yes/No)
Are you comfortable expressing your true self to others? (Yes/No)
Are you secure in who you are and what you stand for? (Yes/No)

Intimacy vs. Isolation:

Are you comfortable being vulnerable and open with others? (Yes/No)
Do you have stress free romantic relationships? (Yes/No)
Have you avoided any major losses or separations in your relationships? (Yes/No)
Are you able to maintain close relationships with others? (Yes/No)
Are you able to balance your own needs and desires with those of your partner or loved ones? (Yes/No)

Generativity vs. Stagnation:

Do you have goals and aspirations for the future? (Yes/No)
Do you contribute to your community or society at large? (Yes/No)
Do you feel a sense of purpose or fulfillment in your work or personal life? (Yes/No)
Are you able to balance your own needs and desires with those of your family, career, or other obligations? (Yes/No)
Are you able to adapt to change and new challenges? (Yes/No)

Integrity vs. Despair:

Do you feel satisfied with the life you've lived so far? (Yes/No)
Are free from any unresolved issues or regrets from your past that continue to bother you? (Yes/No)
Do you feel like you've made a meaningful contribution to the world? (Yes/No)
Are you able to find meaning or purpose in your life, despite any challenges or setbacks? (Yes/No)
Are you able to accept the inevitability of death and dying? (Yes/No)

CAUSES

If areas of concern were found, you can explore farther into the possible source of the problem when developing though those psycho-social stages. There are a variety of environmental or life events that can contribute to a failure with achieving any particular phase. Here are some situations covering each stage that often strongly impact the outcome for personality development, and that will help your self-examination into the past.