ERIKSON--CORE, like Freuds.

ID, EGO, AND SUPEREGO

For Erikson, the ego does more than arbitrate ID-SUPEREGO conflicts. The EGO also has many rational processes that are not unconsciously motivated, for example, realistic perception and logical thinking. In this way Erikson and Murray are similar.

Life is a series of conflicts that occur in developmental stages. These are conflicts between non-sexual needs and the expectations /limitations of society. There are 8 stages in the life cycle.

DEVELOPMENT follows the EPIGENETIC PRINCIPLE, (i.e., maturation=development follows a definite, planned, genetic sequence. There is a biological unfolding from the ID that occurs in a sociocultural setting.

There are a series of developmental tasks or crises. Success in adjustment leads to EGO STRENGTHS, which prepare us well for the next crisis. All people need to become “ENCULTURATED” by either:

RITUALIZATION (RZ), which is ideal

or

RITUALISMS (RM), which are unfortunate. RMs are exaggerated rituals that lead to rigidity and abnormality.

1. ORAL SENSORY STAGE, birth- 1 yr.

CRISIS EGO STRENGTH

TRUST VS. MISTRUST HOPE

RZ----------------------------->NUMINOUS RITUALIZATION

RM---------------------------->RITUALISM OF IDOLISM

2. MUSCULAR-ANAL, 1yr to 2-3 YR.

CRISIS EGO STRENGTH

AUTONOMY VS. SHAME AND DOUBT WILL

RZ---------------------------->JUDICIOUSNESS

RM--------------------------->LEGALISM

3. LOCOMOTOR-GENITAL, 3-6 YRS.

CRISIS EGO STRENGTH

INITIATIVE AND RESPONSIBILITY VS. PURPOSE

GUILT

RZ----------------------------->AUTHENTICITY

RM---------------------------->IMPERSONATION

4. LATENCY, 6YRS-PUBERTY

CRISIS STRENGTH

INDUSTRY VS. INFERIORITY COMPETENCE

RZ----------------------------->FORMALITY

RM---------------------------->FORMALISM, CEREMONIALISM

5. PUBERTY AND ADOLESCENCE, PUBERTY-20 YRS.

CRISIS STRENGTH

IDENTITY VS. ROLE CONFUSION FIDELITY

RZ----------------------------->IDEOLOGY

RM---------------------------->TOTALISM, ARISTOCRACY

PUBERTY IS THE TIME OF THE “PSYCHOSOCIAL MORATORIUM”

6. YOUNG ADULTHOOD, 20-30 YRS.

CRISIS STRENGTH

INTIMACY VS. ISOLATION LOVE

RZ----------------------------->AFFILIATION

RM---------------------------->ELITISM

7. MATURE ADULTHOOD, 30 TO 65 YRS.

CRISIS STRENGTH

GENERATIVITY VS. STAGNATION CARE

RZ----------------------------->GENERATIONAL

RM---------------------------->AUTHORITISM

8. LATE ADULTHOOD, 65-DEATH

CRISIS STRENGTH

EGO INTEGRITY VS. DESPAIR WISDOM

RZ----------------------------->INTEGRATION

RM---------------------------->SAPIENTISM

There are 3 overlapping PHASES to each STAGE.

1. Immature phase (earlier than the chronological ages)

2. Critical phase (corresponds to the chronological age)

3. Resolution (good or poor).

For example, imagine a person forming their identity before the critical phase of the Identity crisis in STAGE 5 by learning strengths in the previous stages.

1. Trust--”I am what I am given”

2. Autonomy--”I am what I will”

3. Initiative--”I am what I imagine I will be”

4. Industry--”I am what I learn”.

There are also overlaps among the stages in the following ways

Stages

Trust

Autonomy Trust in the world and yourself leads to the confidence

Initiative to be self-directive and productive.

Industry

Stages

Industry

Identity Finding one’s self

Intimacy In work and loved ones.

Generativity

PSYCHOPATHOLOGY--The result of a failure to successfully resolve a crisis, usually earlier. Someone unsuccessful at resolving a current crisis may show signs in her/his personality of having adequately worked through earlier crises successfully.

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