Erikson’s theory of personality

The Erikson life-stage virtue, in order of the eight stages in which they may be acquired, are:

1. Hope, Basic trust vs. basic mistrust—This stage covers the
   period of infancy, 0-1 year of age, which is the most fundamental stage
   of life. Whether the baby develops basic trust or basic mistrust is not
   merely a matter of nurture. It is multi-faceted and has strong social
   components. It depends on the quality of the maternal relationship. The
   mother carries out and reflects their inner perceptions of
   trustworthiness, a sense of personal meaning, etc. on the child. If
   successful in this, the baby develops a sense of trust, which “forms the
   basis in the child for a sense of identity.” Failure to develop this
   trust will result in a feeling of fear and a sense that the world is
   inconsistent and unpredictable.
2. Will, Autonomy vs. Shame—Covers early childhood around 1–3
   years old. Introduces the concept of autonomy vs. shame and doubt. The
   child begins to discover the beginnings of his or her independence, and
   parents must facilitate the child’s sense of doing basic tasks “all by
   himself/herself.” Discouragement can lead to the child doubting his or
   her efficacy. During this stage the child is usually trying to master
   toilet training.
3. Purpose, Initiative vs. Guilt—Preschool / 3–6 years. Does the
   child have the ability to or do things on their own, such as dress him
   or herself? If “guilty” about making his or her own choices, the child
   will not function well. Erikson has a positive outlook on this stage,
   saying that most guilt is quickly compensated by a sense of
   accomplishment.
4. Competence, Industry vs. Inferiority—School-age
   / 6–11 years. Child comparing self-worth to others (such as in a
   classroom environment). Child can recognize major disparities in
   personal abilities relative to other children. Erikson places some
   emphasis on the teacher, who should ensure that children do not feel
   inferior.
5. Fidelity, Identity vs. Role Confusion—Adolescent
   / 12–18 years. Questioning of self. Who am I, how do I fit in? Where am
   I going in life? Erikson believes, that if the parents allow the child
   to explore, they will conclude their own identity. If, however, the
   parents continually push him/her to conform to their views, the teen
   will face identity confusion.
6. Love, Intimacy vs. isolation—This
   is the first stage of adult development. This development usually
   happens during young adulthood, which is between the ages of 18 to 35.
   Dating, marriage, family and friendships are important during the stage
   in their life. By successfully forming loving relationships with other
   people, individuals are able to experience love and intimacy. Those who
   fail to form lasting relationships may feel isolated and alone.
7. Care, Generativity vs. stagnation—The second stage of
   adulthood happens between the ages of 35-64. During this time people are
   normally settled in their life and know what is important to them. A
   person is either making progress in their career or treading lightly in
   their career and unsure if this is what they want to do for the rest of
   their working lives. Also during this time, a person is enjoying raising
   their children and participating in activities, that gives them a sense
   of purpose. If a person is not comfortable with the way their life is
   progressing, they’re usually regretful about the decisions that they
   have made in the past and feel a sense of uselessness.
8. Wisdom, Ego integrity vs. despair—This stage affects the age
   group of 65 and on. During this time an individual has reached the last
   chapter in their life and retirement is approaching or has already taken
   place. Ego-integrity means the acceptance of life in its fullness: the
   victories and the defeats, what was accomplished and what was not
   accomplished. Wisdom is the result of successfully accomplishing this final developmental task. Wisdom is defined as “informed and detached concern for life itself in the face of death itself.”
9. For Ninth Stage

• “Basic Mistrust vs. Trust: Hope”
  In the ninth stage, “elders are forced to mistrust their own
  capabilities” because one’s “body inevitably weakens.” Yet, Joan Erikson
  asserts that “while there is light, there is hope” for a “bright light
  and revelation.”
• “Shame and Doubt vs. Autonomy: Will”
  Ninth stage elders face the “shame of lost control” and doubt “their
  autonomy over their own bodies.” So it is that “shame and doubt
  challenge cherished autonomy.”
• “Inferiority vs. Industry: Competence”
  Industry as a “driving force” that elders once had is gone in the ninth
  stage. Being incompetent “because of aging is belittling” and makes
  elders “like unhappy small children of great age.”
• “Identity confusion vs. Identity: Fidelity”
  Elders experience confusion about their “existential identity” in the
  ninth stage and “a real uncertainty about status and role.”
• “Isolation vs. Intimacy: Love”
  In the ninth stage, the “years of intimacy and love” are often replaced
  by “isolation and deprivation.” Relationships become “overshadowed by
  new incapacities and dependencies.”
• “Stagnation vs. Generativity: Care”
  The generativity in the seventh stage of “work and family
  relationships,” if it goes satisfactorily, is “a wonderful time to be
  alive.” In one’s eighties and nineties, there is less energy for
  generativity or caretaking. Thus, “a sense of stagnation may well take
  over.”
• “Despair and Disgust vs. Integrity: Wisdom”
  Integrity imposes “a serious demand on the senses of elders.” Wisdom
  requires capacities that ninth stage elders “do not usually have.” The
  eighth stage includes retrospection that can evoke a “degree of disgust
  and despair.” In the ninth stage, introspection is replaced by the
  attention demanded to one’s “loss of capacities and disintegration.”

Living in the ninth stage, Joan Erikson expressed confidence that the
psychosocial crisis of the ninth stage can be met as in the first stage
with the “basic trust” with which “we are blessed.”