A LITTLE ABOUT ERIC ERIKSON This guy was a psychologist and psychoanalyst, known for his theory of personality development. He developed the concept of psychosocial development, which describes the eight stages of development that every person goes through during his or her life. Each stage represents a specific conflict that must be resolved for harmonious development. WHAT ARE THE STAGES?1. Trust/distrust (birth before 18 months).2. Autonomy/shame and doubt (1-3 years).3. Initiative/guilt (3-6 years).4. Eagerness/feelings of inferiority (6-12 years).5. Identity/non-recognition (12-18 years old).6. Intimacy / isolation (18-40 years old).7. Productivity/stagnation (40-65 years).8. Integrity/desperation (over 65 years old). WHAT IF THERE'S MORE DETAILS? 1. Stage of self-confidence versus distrust (birth - 1 year). At this stage of the child, those around him influence the formation of his confidence and trust in the world. A sense of trust during this period of life is formed through the caring and tender attitude of parents. 2. Stage of autonomy against shame and doubt (2 - 3 years). At this age, children begin to develop independence and strive for independent actions. Positive resolution of this conflict promotes the development of a sense of independence and initiative. 3. Stage of initiative against guilt (3 - 6 years). During this period, children begin to show interest in proactive actions and games. They strive to explore the world around them. The important thing here is the balance between meeting your needs and respecting the rules of society. 4. Stage of diligence versus feelings of inferiority (6 - 12 years). Children begin to build their self-esteem based on success in school, sports and other areas. Successfully dealing with this conflict helps build a sense of competence. 5. Stage of identity versus non-recognition (12 - 18 years old). In adolescence, a search for one’s place in society arises, a desire for self-determination and establishing one’s position appears. It is important to find a balance between the desire to be unique and fit into society. 6. Stage of intimacy versus isolation (18 - 40 years). Adults seek close and trusted relationships, form families, and participate in group activities. Successfully resolving this conflict helps form strong bonds with others. 7. Stage of productivity versus stagnation (40 - 65 years). This period is characterized by a desire for creativity, work, raising children and participation in public affairs. It is important to feel useful and important to society. 8. Stage of integrity versus despair (after 65 years). At this age, people pay attention to their lives as a whole, evaluate their achievements, and find a sense of satisfaction in life. IDEALLY As an adult, a person moves through each of these stages, encountering conflict and “trying” to resolve it. In a favorable scenario, each stage ends with the acquisition of the necessary resources and qualities that give a person: basic trust in the world; autonomy in decision making; initiative; ability to work; sense of personal identity; the ability to be close to others; a feeling of productivity in one’s own life and, finally, a feeling of satisfaction from the life lived, when it is already nearing completion. BUT SOMETHING CAN ALWAYS GO WRONG And then the person does not go through and does not resolve the conflict. And this stage can be considered incomplete. Hence the developing neuroses, dissatisfaction, imbalance, etc. WHY KNOW THIS AND HOW DO WE WORK WITH THIS IN THERAPY? Knowledge of these stages of development makes it possible to determine which processes a person has not lived through to the end, which conflicts have not been resolved and, moreover, refers us to a more or less specific age of the client. Often in therapy we again encounter some kind of conflict (corresponding to one of the stages of development) and have the opportunity to “build up” the necessary psychological and