Chapter 6 : Identity Theory

• Stage 1 : Trust vs. mistrust

  • Infancy from birth to 18 months
  • Because an infant is utterly dependent, developing trust is based on the dependability and quality of the child's caregivers.
• Stage 1 : trust vs. mistrust

  • the child is utterly dependent upon adult caregivers for everything they need to survive including food, love, warmth, safety, and nurturing.
  • If a caregiver fails to provide adequate care and love, the child will come to feel that they cannot trust or depend upon the adults in their life.
• Stage 1 : Trust vs. Mistrust

  • If a child successfully develops trust, the child will feel safe and secure in the world.
  • Children develop a sense of trust when caregivers provide reliability, care, and affection. A lack of this will lead to mistrust.
• Stage 2 : Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt

  
  

  • 2 to 3 years
  • Children are just starting to gain a little independence.
• Stage 3 : Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt

  
  

  • They are starting to perform basic actions on their own and making simple decisions about what they prefer.
  • By allowing kids to make choices and gain control, parents and caregivers can help children develop a sense of autonomy.
• Stage 3 : Initiative vs. guilt

  • 3 to 5 years
  • Children begin to assert their power and control over the world through directing play and other social interactions.
• Stage 3 : Initiavie vs. Guilt

  • Children who are successful at this stage feel capable and able to lead others.
  • Those who fail to acquire these skills are left with a sense of guilt, self-doubt, and lack of initiative.
• Stage 4 : Industry vs. Inferiority

  • 6 to 11 years
  •  Through social interactions, children begin to develop a sense of pride in their accomplishments and abilities.
• Stage 4 : Industry vs. Inferiority

  • Children need to cope with new social and academic demands.
  • Success leads to a sense of competence, while failure results in feelings of inferiority.
• Stage 5 : Identity vs. Confusion

  • 12 to 18 years
  • This stage plays an essential role in developing a sense of personal identity which will continue to influence behavior and development for the rest of a person's life.
  • Teens need to develop a sense of self and personal identity.
  • Success leads to an ability to stay true to yourself, while failure leads to role confusion and a weak sense of self.
• Stage 5 : Identity vs. Confusion

  • During adolescence, children explore their independence and develop a sense of self.
  • Those who receive proper encouragement and reinforcement through personal exploration will emerge from this stage with a strong sense of self and feelings of independence and control.
  • Those who remain unsure of their beliefs and desires will feel insecure and confused about themselves and the future.
• Stage 6 : Intimacy vs. Isolation

  • 19 to 40 years
  • Young adults need to form intimate, loving relationships with other people.
  • Success leads to strong relationships, while failure results in loneliness and isolation.
  • This stage covers the period of early adulthood when people are exploring personal relationships.
• Stage 6 : Intimacy vs. Isolation

  
  

  • it was vital that people develop close, committed relationships with other people.
  • Those who are successful at this step will form relationships that are enduring and secure.
• Stage 7 : : Generativity vs. Stagnation

  • 40 to 65 years
  • Adults need to create or nurture things that will outlast them, often by having children or creating a positive change that benefits other people.
  • Success leads to feelings of usefulness and accomplishment, while failure results in shallow involvement in the world.
• Stage 7 : Generativity and Stagnation

  • During adulthood, we continue to build our lives, focusing on our career and family.
  • Those who are successful during this phase will feel that they are contributing to the world by being active in their home and community.
  • Those who fail to attain this skill will feel unproductive and uninvolved in the world.
• Stage 8 : Integrity vs. Despair

  • 65 years to death
  • occurs during old age and is focused on reflecting back on life.
  • people look back on the events of their lives and determine if they are happy with the life that they lived or if they regret the things they did or didn't do.
• Stage 8 : Integrity vs. Despair

  • Older adults need to look back on life and feel a sense of fulfillment.
  • Success at this stage leads to feelings of wisdom, while failure results in regret,
• Stage 8 : Integrity vs. Despair

  • people reflect back on the events of their lives and take stock.
  • Those who look back on a life they feel was well-lived will feel satisfied and ready to face the end of their lives with a sense of peace.
  • Those who look back and only feel regret will instead feel fearful that their lives will end without accomplishing the things they feel they should have.​