Erik Ericson's Developmental Stages

Erik Erickson

26 October 1918 – 16 February 2013

1. Infancy: Birth to 18 Months

Ego Development Outcome: Trust vs. Mistrust
Basic strength: Drive and Hope

• Oral Sensory Stage (as anyone might who watches a baby put everything in her mouth) 
• If we pass successfully through this period of life, we will learn to trust that life is basically okay and have basic confidence in the future. 
• If we fail to experience trust and are constantly frustrated because our needs are not met, we may end up with a deep-seated feeling of worthlessness and a mistrust of the world in general.

2. Early Childhood: 18 Months to 3 Years

Ego Development Outcome: Autonomy vs. Shame
Basic Strengths: Self-control, Courage, and Will

• learn to master skills for ourselves
• build self-esteem and autonomy as we gain more control over our bodies and acquire new skills, learning right from wrong.
• It is also during this stage, however, that we can be very vulnerable. If we're shamed in the process of toilet training or in learning other important skills, we may feel great shame and doubt of our capabilities and suffer low self-esteem as a result.
• The most significant relationships are with parents.

3. Play Age: 3 to 5 Years

Ego Development Outcome: Initiative vs. Guilt
Basic Strength: Purpose

• desire to copy the adults around us and take initiative in creating play situations. 
• make believe play - imagination
• begin to use that wonderful word for exploring the world — "WHY?"
• The most significant relationship is with the basic family.