Erik Erikson was a psychologist and he developed a theory of psychosocial stages. According to him, personality develops in a series of stages and that people go through a conflict that becomes a turning point in development.
According to Erikson, cited from Very Well Mind site, there are 8 stages of psychosocial development including:
- Trust vs. Mistrust (0-18 months)
- Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt (2-3 years)
- Initiative vs. Guilt (3-5 years)
- Industry vs. Inferiority (6-11 years)
- Identity vs. Confusion (12-18 years)
- Intimacy vs. Isolation (19-40 years)
- Generativity vs. Stagnation (40-65 years)
- Integrity vs. Despair (65 to death)
If you are a teacher at school, you may want to apply some activities in the classroom based on Erikson’s theory. If so, you are able to check some examples of Erikson’s theory in the classroom below according to the Study and the Classroom sites.
Initiative vs. Guilt
People are at this stage when they are around 3 to 5 years old. It means that the children are in preschool. At these ages, children start to make decisions and start taking independence. So, what activity examples in the classroom of Erikson’s theory at this stage? Teachers are able to support children’s sense of initiative. It can be done by encouraging the children to explore their interests, engage in creative activities, and ask questions. These activities can help children to develop a sense of purpose and self-confidence. Teachers need to give them space to choose their own activity so that it let them learn how to make a decision for themselves. Supporting children to make choices can be done by teachers such as letting children choose a book that they want to read in a reading activity. Besides, teachers can also help children to fix their own mistakes such as helping them how to fix breaking toys. By doing these things, the children will feel confident in their ability to try activities on their own.
Industry vs. Inferiority
At this stage, as explained on the Study site, children start to judge themselves and also their ability based on their peers and others. To help them to be able to master this conflict is giving them chances to set goals for their progress and also help them and reinforce attempts to reach the goals. It can be done by giving them individual tasks in the classroom such as collecting work, feeding a pet, and passing out materials. These activities can give them feelings of competence and also help them build confidence in skills. Teachers also can give students to make academic and personal goals every quarter and monitor their progress. If students can go through this stage well, when they get into adolescence, they will get into the phase by having a sense that if they work hard and are persistent, it will pay off.
Students need to be taught about study skills. Teachers can teach students how to budget time and manage their notes. And of course, teachers need to give feedback to them regularly, especially when they are discouraged. The way to give feedback to them is like praising them for what they have done right and then give them some constructive criticisms for the wrong things that they have done.
Identity vs. Confusion
At this stage, students will focus on finding their identity. They will try to find a suitable place in society. Because they are trying to find their suitable place and identity, they will go through different trials. So, having positive role models is important for them. Teachers are able to provide a number of role models for students. Teachers also can teach them about people who are successful in their career.
It will be good if teachers give students a chance to bring their interest to their project and assessment. So, students can choose an interesting project for them based on their interest or even they can explore new aspects of identities.
When students show bad behaviour, teachers need to explain the long-term consequences of it so that they are able to know that it can influence themselves and other people. By telling them about it, they can be encouraged to have identities which are more responsible.
If students can successfully go through this stage, then they will be able to answer the questions about who they are confidently.
Intimacy vs. Isolation
At this stage, students are in college or university. Lecturers can give students chances to build meaningful relationships and build connections with their friends. Some activities such as group discussions, collaborative projects, and social activities can be given to them so that they are able to develop their interpersonal skills and form supportive relationships.
A bookworm and researcher especially related to law and citizenship education. I spend time every day in front of the internet and the campus library.
