Erik H. Erikson (1902-1994) was a psychoanalyst, author of relevant ideas on personality development, identity crises, and development throughout the life cycle.

Erikson and the development of personality

Born in Denmark, Erikson was Jewish and did not know his biological father. He was cared for by his Danish mother and a foster father of German origin. He lived in Germany and fled to the United States during the rise of the world wars.

He initially pursued a career as an artist, but later turned to psychoanalysis under the influence of Anna Freud. The various crises experienced by Erik Erikson during his life produced in him great reflections on the construction of personality.

Because of this, Erikson elaborated his Theory of Personality Development, which is widely studied by several areas of knowledge and will be summarized in this text.

Personality Definition

According to the Oxford Languages Portuguese Dictionary, the word Personality in the field of Psychology means the "set of psychic aspects that, taken as a unit, distinguish a person, especially those directly related to social values".

The personality traits that define who we are are determined by:

• Biological factors: inheritance inherited from our parents through genetics.
• Contextual factors: experiences learned in interaction with the social environment.

For Erikson, personality has to do with: - a sense of being unique, different from others; - a perception of oneself and the world.

Psychosocial Crises

For Erikson, personality develops in a healthy way through physiological growth, mental maturation, and increased social responsibility. This whole process is called "Psychosocial Development" by him. However, personality development does not happen in the same way for everyone.

In Erikson's view, we go through "crises," which are internal and external conflicts experienced in the periods of great change we face at each stage of development. A Thus, for this psychoanalyst, the healthy development of our personality is related to a good or bad resolution of moments of crisis.

Epigenetic Principle and the development of personality

Psychosocial development follows a sequence of stages where our motor, sensory, cognitive, and social skills are honed to better deal with the world around us. Each stage we experience, from infancy to old age, enhances the characteristics of our personality.

The 2nd stage is more complex than the 1st, the 3rd depends on the functioning of the 2nd, and so on... This progression of development in more complex stages was named the "Epigenetic Principle" by Erikson.

Stages of Personality Development for Erik Erikson Knowing then that the personality goes through increasingly complex crises to progress through the stages of development, let us now look at the main traits acquired in our personality through Erik Erikson's psychoanalytic theory:

Trust vs. Distrust and the development of personality

In the first stage, from birth to 1 year of age, the baby is totally dependent on the caregiver, needing him or her to be fed, sanitized, and to feel safe.

The personality learns the ability to Trust people when it is well cared for, or Distrust them if it does not believe that the world cannot provide what is needed. The basic strength acquired by the personality is the Hope that the world is good.

Autonomy vs Shame and Doubt

In the second stage, between 1-3 years, the child begins to explore the environment, grasp and let go of objects around him/her, hold or expel feces and urine, but is still totally dependent on the adult. The personality is capable of Autonomy, but may sometimes feel Shame or Doubt for doing something wrong and suffer reprisal. The basic strength acquired by the personality is the Will to have or to do something.

Initiative vs Guilt

In the third stage, between 3-5 years, the child gains new cognitive and motor skills, being a little more independent from his parents than in the previous stage and using them as a model for appropriate or inappropriate behavior (e.g., the girl who wants to look like her mother, or the boy who wants to look like his father).

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The personality develops more Initiative to explore the world and feels Guilt when repressed or behaving inappropriately, but may sometimes feel Shame or Doubt for doing something wrong and suffer reprisal. The basic strength acquired by the personality is the Goal of achieving goals.

Industry vs Inferiority and the development of personality

In the fourth stage, between 6-11 years old, the child enters school and learns new skills and knowledge as a means to be praised, loves to show off his productions and achievements, also has the first friendships with children of the same age. The personality develops the ability to Industry, or to be recognized for its productivity.

When it is not encouraged to succeed or recognized by people, it develops feelings of inferiority to others. The basic strength acquired by the personality is Competence, using its skills successfully and feeling useful.

Identity vs Role Confusion; In the fifth stage, between 12-18 years old, the adolescent enters puberty and undergoes major changes in his body and hormones, beginning the acquisition of the adult body. He seeks to form his identity, to have a sense of who he is, what his place is, and who he wants to become - to do this, he gathers in social groups, excludes others, and creates strong ideals. The personality solidifies its Identity or experiences a severe Role Confusion, the so-called "identity crisis" of adolescence. The basic strength acquired by the personality is Loyalty to its opinions, ideas, and to its "I".

Intimacy vs Isolation and the development of personality

In the sixth stage, between ages 18-35, the adult is more independent, taking on productive work and establishing intimate romantic or friendship relationships.

The personality learns the limits of Intimacy, or if it cannot experience such moments, it experiences a sense of Isolation from productive social, sexual, or friendship ties.

The basic strength acquired by the personality is the Love it develops for its partners, family and work with whom it has a commitment.

Generativity vs Stagnation

In the seventh stage, between the ages of 35-55, the adult is more mature and ready to care for the next generations by mentoring and raising children, adopting the role of parent, or becoming involved in social institutions of commerce, government, or academia.

The personality develops Generativity, that is, concern for future generations, or feels Stagnated by not giving vent to its learning that could be transmitted to new generations. The basic strength acquired by the personality is Caring for oneself and for others.

Integrity vs Despair

In the eighth stage of personality, from age 55 onward, old age generates a profound evaluation of what has been done throughout life, bringing a feeling of satisfaction or disappointment.

The personality experiences either a sense of Wholeness, a realization of what has been experienced so far, or Despair at not yet having completed its life project.

The basic strength acquired by the personality is the Wisdom to deal with existence as a whole, its achievements and failures.

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Conclusions on personality development

We conclude that Erik Erikson's theory presents ideas for analyzing personalities: - confident or extremely distrustful, - more autonomous or doubtful, - who have more initiative or feel guilty all the time, - who are productive and readily accomplish their tasks or feel inferior to others, - who have an established identity or experience identity crises thatwho can relate intimately or prefer to isolate themselves, - concerned with caring for others or paralyzed in time, - intact with the results they have achieved or despairing at the imminence of death.

Thus, based on Erik Erikson's pertinent Theory of Personality Development, throughout this text it is possible for us to reflect on the crises that have been well or poorly resolved in ourselves and in others, or to learn about the reason for this or that personality trait.

Indications for reading

1) Erikson. "Eight Ages of Man", chapter 7 of the book Childhood and Society (a summary text of his theory).

2) Shultz & Schultz. "Erik Erikson: Identity Theory," chapter 6 of the book Theories of Personality (an introduction to Erikson's theory).

This article was written by Raphael Aguiar. Teresópolis/RJ, contact: [email protected] - Graduating in Psychoanalysis (IBPC), Post-graduating in Psychology of Development and Learning (PUC-RS) and Occupational Therapist (UFRJ). Clinical practice in the area of Mental Health in Childhood and Adolescence.