by on 11/07/2023 1265
Psychosocial development is a theory that identifies the psychological and social stages through which a healthy developing human pass from infancy to late adulthood. Psychosocial skills on the other hand are a performance component that refers to an individual’s ability to interact in society and process emotions which include mental, emotional, spiritual dimensions, social and self-management skills.
According to Erik Homburger Erikson, who was a German-American developmental psychologist and psychoanalyst, development of personality is determined through interaction of internal maturational plan and external societal demands. Eric Erikson came up with a theory of psychosocial that is composed of eight stages that are biologically fixed. Each stage refers to the challenges that people would face throughout their life. The challenges are met through the interaction of inner psychological influences and outer social influences.
ERICKSON’S PSYCHOSOCIAL STAGES | |||
---|---|---|---|
Stages |
Crisis |
Favourable Outcome |
Unfavourable Outcome |
Childhood | |||
1st year of life |
Trust vs. Mistrust |
Faith in the environment and future events |
Suspicion, fear of future events |
2nd year |
Autonomy vs. Doubt |
A sense of self-control and adequacy |
Feelings of shame and self-doubt |
3rd through 5th years |
Initiative vs. Guilt |
Ability to be a “self-starter,” to initiate one’s own activities |
A sense of guilt and inadequacy to be on one’s own |
6th year to puberty |
Industry vs. Inferiority |
Ability to learn how things work, to understand and organize |
A sense of inferiority at understanding and organizing |
Transition years | |||
Adolescence |
Identity vs. Confusion |
Seeing oneself as a unique and integrated person |
Confusion over who and what one really is |
Adulthood | |||
Early adulthood |
Intimacy vs. Isolation |
Ability to make commitments to others, to love |
Inability to form affectionate relationship |
Middle age |
Generativity vs. Self-absorption |
Concern for family and society in general |
Concern only for self-one’s own well-being and prosperity |
Aging years |
Integrity vs. Despair |
A sense of integrity and fulfilment; willingness to face death |
Dissatisfaction with life; despair over prospect of death |
Table: Psych-mental health hub
Infants develop trust and they believe the world is dependable. When parents are not sensitive or responsive, the infant become insecure, lacks trust and withdraws from others.
At this stage, the child develops autonomy and will attempt challenges and become more sufficient. When parents are restrictive, the child can feel doubt and become reluctant to attempt new challenges. Caregivers should support child performance and allow freedom of choices.
Autonomy vs Shame Doubt
Based on Erikson’s theory, children at the age of 3 to 6 years, it is at the third stage. The main conflict faced by the children is initiative versus guilt. Children always come out with the question whether he is good or bad.
Initiative vs Guilt
Industry vs. Inferiority is the fourth stage in this theory. The definition of industry is being productive upon receiving an evaluation of one's work. In some studies, industry may also be referred to as competence. The definition of inferiority is an individual becoming discouraged, feeling inferior, or incompetent upon receiving an evaluation of one’s work.
Adolescence is a complex transitional process involving advancement from the immaturity and social dependency of childhood into adult life with the goal and expectation of fulfilled developmental potential, personal ability to act independently, and social responsibility.
Identity vs Role Confusion
This article was written by Nurulhuda Jaafar (Occupational Therapist) from SI World. SI World is a professional therapy centre for children with special needs with centre locations in Klang Valley, Kedah, Perak and Sabah.