Erik Erikson was a German-American developmental psychologist and psychoanalyst known for his theory on the psychological development of human beings. We would do well to include him in any discussion about curriculum because his work on the concept of personality development heavily influenced the new curriculum offered in these pages.
Erikson maintains that personality develops in a predetermined order through eight stages of psychosocial development, from infancy to adulthood. During each stage, the person experiences a psychosocial crisis which could have a positive or negative outcome for personality development.
For Erikson, these crises are of a psychosocial nature because they involve psychological needs of the individual (i.e., psycho) conflicting with the needs of society (i.e., social).
According to the theory, successful completion of each stage results in a healthy personality and the acquisition of basic virtues. Basic virtues are characteristic strengths which the ego can use to resolve subsequent crises.
Failure to successfully complete a stage can result in a reduced ability to complete further stages and therefore a more unhealthy personality and sense of self. These stages, however, can be resolved successfully at a later time.
Stage/Psychosocial Crisis/Basic Virtue/Age
1 – Trust vs. Mistrust/Hope/0 – 1½
2 – Autonomy vs. Shame/Will/1½ – 3
3 – Initiative vs. Guilt/Purpose/3 – 5
4 – Industry vs. Inferiority/Competency/5 – 12
5 – Identity vs. Role Confusion/Fidelity/12 – 18
6 – Intimacy vs. Isolation/Love/18 – 40
7 – Generativity vs. Stagnation/Care/40 – 65
8 – Ego Integrity vs. Despair /Wisdom/65+
(to be cont.)