Erik Erikson’s concept of psychological maturity in life and the pinnacle of 8 stages, has been one of the least studied of all his stage constructs. we will show you the meaning of ego integrity in the lives .

He maintained 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.

Trust and Mistrust.

Is the first stage in Erik Erikson’s theory of psychosocial development. This stage begins at birth continues to approximately 18 months of age. During this stage, the infant is uncertain about the world in which they live, and looks towards their primary caregiver for stability and consistency of care.

If the care the infant receives is consistent, predictable and reliable, they will develop a sense of trust which will carry with them to other relationships, and they will be able to feel secure even when threatened.

If these needs are not consistently met, mistrust, suspicion, and anxiety may develop.

2. autonomy vs shame

Autonomy vs. shame and doubt is the second stage of Erik Erikson’s stages of psychosocial development. This stage occurs between the ages of 18 months to approximately 3 years. According to Erikson, children at this stage are focused on developing a sense of personal control over physical skills and a sense of independence.

If thy are successful, they may develop the virtue of will. If they are encouraged to make their choices, they will make a sense of independency, otherwise they will fall in long spiral of self-shame, and doubt.

3.  Initiative vs guilt

During the initiative versus guilt stage, children assert themselves more frequently through directing play and other social interaction.

 it is a “time of vigor of action and of behaviors that the parents may see as aggressive.”

During this period the primary feature involves the child regularly interacting with other children at school. It is at this stage that the child will begin to ask many questions as his thirst for knowledge grows. If the parents treat the child’s questions as trivial, a nuisance or embarrassing or other aspects of their behavior as threatening then the child may have feelings of guilt .

4. competitivness vs inferiority

Children are at the stage where they will be learning to read and write, to do sums, to do things on their own. Teachers begin to take an important role in the child’s life as they teach the child specific skills.

It is at this stage that the child’s peer group will gain greater significance and will become a major source of the child’s self-esteem. The child now feels the need to win approval by demonstrating specific competencies that are valued by society and begin to develop a sense of pride in their accomplishments.

5. identity and role confusion

Here is the hardest stage, where the teenager are developing his\her identity, and role in the society and life. And is so hard, sometimes you are not accepted in the group because of your physical shape, ideology etc. etc., and after the rejection you starting giving up, and you isolate yourself. Your brain feels he had failed to accomplish his goal. You’re starting being unhappy.

If you succeed then you develop your sense of fidelity, and you start accept your changes physically and mentally.

6. Intimacy vs Isolation

Intimacy versus isolation is the sixth stage of Erik Erikson’s theory of psychosocial development. This stage takes place during young adulthood between the ages of approximately 18 to 40 yrs. During this stage, the major conflict centers on forming intimate, loving relationships with other people.

We explore relationships leading toward longer-term commitments with someone other than a family member.

Avoiding intimacy, fearing commitment and relationships can lead to isolation, loneliness, and sometimes depression. Success in this stage will lead to the virtue of love.

7. generativity vs. stagnation

We give back to society through raising our children, being productive at work, and becoming involved in community activities and organizations. Through generativity we develop a sense of being a part of the bigger picture. Success leads to feelings of usefulness and accomplishment, while failure results in shallow involvement in the world.

8. ego integrity vs despair

As we become seniour citizens, we tend to slow down our productivity and explore life as a retired person. if we see our lives as unproductive, feel guilt about our past, or feel that we did not accomplish our life goals, we become dissatisfied with life and develop despair, often leading to depression and hopelessness.

Success in this stage will lead to the virtue of wisdom. Wisdom enables a person to look back on their life with a sense of closure and completeness, and also accept death without fear. Wise people are not characterized by a continuous state of ego integrity, but they experience both ego integrity and despair.