Chapter 1



Chapter 6: Ego Analytic Psychology: Anna Freud, Erick Erickson

Erickson's Psychosocial Stages

Scholars of personality often credit Erick Erickson for changing the emphasis in Freud's theories from biological to social factors. For example, Erickson's first developmental stage, trust vs. mistrust, mirrors Freud's oral stage but rather than emphasizing the biological act of feeding, stresses the interpersonal relationship between the infant and those responsible for his care. Erickson's theory of developmental stages also extends much farther into the life span than Freud's. Whereas Freud believed that personality was essentially "set" during childhood, Erickson suggested that personality can change significantly in later life depending upon how people navigate the crises they face in young, middle, and later adulthood.

It is interesting to speculate about the manner in which cultural or demographic variables might influence the experience and timing of Erickson's developmental stages. For example, in some cultures at some points in time, the life span may be shorter than it is in others. Erickson appears to assume a long life (his final stage begins at age 65), but such a lengthy life expectancy is not universal. If an individual expects to die by age 60, does he or she move through each of Erickson's stages more quickly? Do certain stages get truncated or skipped altogether? Similar questions may arise for a person who learns that he or she has a terminal illness. If they expect to die within a particular time frame, how much of that time do they spend in each of the remaining stages? Do they advance immediately to the final stage, ego integrity vs. despair, regardless of age?

Also regarding culture and demography, Erickson's developmental stages may require revision for members of some groups. Critics of Erickson's personality theory have described it as best suited for males in Western cultures, and more poorly suited for other groups. For example, they point out that the crises many of Erickson's stages involve, to some extent, the issue of productivity. The stages defined by autonomy vs. shame and doubt, initiative vs. guilt, industry vs. inferiority, and generativity vs. stagnation all connote that getting things done are an essential task for a given time period in a person's life. Some argue that for many women, such an emphasis may be misplaced; instead, an emphasis on interconnectedness and relationships may be a stronger theme throughout the life span.

Andrew M. Pomerantz, Ph. D.

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville

Critical Thinking Questions:

1. If you were a practicing psychotherapist, what kinds of presenting problems or diagnoses would you expect to see most frequently from individuals at various stages of Erickson's theory of development?

2. Select a particular cultural group based on gender, ethnicity, age, or another important variable. How might Erickson's stages be modified to better apply to this group?

3. Choose one of Erickson's psychosocial stages and suggest some changes to social policy or societal values that would result in better opportunities for achievement of the virtue at that stage.

Web Links:



A detailed article on Erickson's life and theories. From the website of Dr. C. George Boeree.



A description of Erickson's eight psychosocial stages.



A description of Erickson's eight psychosocial stages with emphasis on the parent-child relationships in early stages.

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