Recap: The 8 Stages

Erikson’s Personality Development

At each stage we encounter a choice or “crisis”

If a stage is not mastered or overcome it can cause trouble later where mastery is required.

Successes and failures mould how we see the world, ourselves and others.

Personality can be changed by new experience at any stage. (choosing a fork in the road)

Key Concepts

Development depends on whether or not needs are being met.

Trust comes with predictability of care.

Unpredictability and uncertainty of care/support creates mistrust.

1. Trust vs. Mistrust

Autonomy = independence, ability to stand alone.

Age 2-3Taking care of themselves, walking, talking

Independence through learning and exploring

Need for encouraging caregivers

Shame comes from discouragement and over-protection

2. Autonomy vs. Doubt

Age 4-5

Child is learning to feel purposeful and take initiative

Freedom, exploration and questioning “Why??”

Guilt comes from criticism, lack of recognition

3. Initiative vs. Guilt

Age 6 to 11Industry = making an effort

Inferiority = feeling less important, defeatedExpanding beyond family – school, sports,

activities

Importance of family life in preparing for school.

4. Industry vs. Inferiority

Adolescence (12-18)Focus on peers and social groups

Modelling yourself after someone

Influence of friends, teachers, media and less focus on family

5. Identity vs. Role Confusion

Young adulthood

Seeking out a partner, “testing the waters” of relationships

Good experiences leads to intimacy

Rejection, disappointment leads to isolation

6. Intimacy vs. Isolation

Mid-lifeGenerativity = full, productive lifeStagnation = lack of development

Generativity creates a sense of accomplishment (family, career, kids)

Stagnation fosters lack of achievement, low self worth

7. Generativity vs. Stagnation

Old age

Integrity = completeness, pride

“Am I proud of what I have done?”.

Facing regrets, dissatisfaction, mistakes, failures.

Integrity vs. Despair

Kohlberg’s Moral Development 3 Levels, 6 Sub-Stages

1920s-1980s

American psychologist and university professor

Expert in moral education and logic

Interested in: How people respond to moral dilemmas!

Lawrence Kohlberg

Level determined by the reasons a person gives for making a decision.

Levels

Child will care about what is right or wrong, good or bad.

Judges an action based on the consequences they experience

Level 1 - Pre-Conventional

Child acts to AVOID punishment. Acts in order to receive reward.Obey rules for positive consequence.

Stage #1 – Punishment Orientation

Personal needs determine right and wrong.

Right action satisfies own needs and maybe the needs of others.

“Making a trade” or doing a favour.

Stage #2 – Reward Orientation

Make decisions to live up to the expectations of others.

Family, Friends, Social Group, Nation, the Law

Meeting these expectations is more important than consequences.

Level 2 - Conventional

Good behaviours = actions that please others!

Appearing to be “normal” or have “good intentions” is important.

Approval indicates moral behaviour.

Kohlberg believes that MOST People don’t move past this stage.

Stage #3 – “Good Kid” Orientation

Good behaviour = following the rules and respecting authority

Behaving to maintain social order and display respect.

Example: Respecting others’ property.

Stage #4 – Maintaining Social Order

A person identifies morality and values according to validity.

Less influenced by authority and personal interest.

Judgements based on abstract personal principles.

Level 3 - Post-Conventional

Right actions determined by more “general rights”

Agreed on by society as a whole Awareness of both personal values and legal

Not all cultures and societies have the same concepts of right and wrong.

Stage #5 – Social Contract

Right decision is a decision of personal conscience.

Appeals to universal, consistent truths.

Focus: Justice, Equality, Human Dignity.

#6 – Universal Moral Orientation

We have to go step by step – no skipping stages!

People typically do not reach the higher stages.

Seeing and knowing people in the higher stages helps us grow. Learning by example.

Stages progress from an individual to universal level.

Key Points

Pre-conventional consequences they see, meeting own needs.

Conventional The expectations of othersRules and social order

Post-conventionalAbstract personal principlesLESS on authority

Judgements Based On: