PSYCH 059: Erik Erikson

Clinical Deep Dives · Jul 13, 2026 · 52m

This chapter explores Erik Erikson’s influential model of psychosocial development, which extends the understanding of human growth across the entire lifespan. Unlike earlier theories that focused primarily on childhood, Erikson proposed that development continues through a sequence of stages, each defined by a central psychological task.

Each stage presents a tension - a conflict between two opposing forces, such as trust versus mistrust, autonomy versus shame, or identity versus role confusion. These are not problems to be solved once and for all, but dynamic balances that shape personality…