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The Self

Erikson's identity stages and belief in free will

  • 3 things to know
  • Paper 2

Overview

Erikson's eight psychosocial stages and the search for identity in adolescence, free will and determinism, and Baumeister's argument about believing in free will.

What you need to know

Answer each one before you reveal it.

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Process

What happens in each of Erikson's first four stages of development?

Key term

What did Erikson (1959) propose about identity development?

Process

What happens when a person resolves, or fails to resolve, the conflict at one of Erikson's stages?

Questions from this subtopic

Each one with the model answer underneath.

  1. 1

    What did Erikson (1959) propose about identity development?

    Model answer

    Erikson proposed that identity develops through eight psychosocial stages across the whole lifespan. Each stage involves a conflict that must be resolved.

  2. 2

    What happens when a person resolves, or fails to resolve, the conflict at one of Erikson's stages?

    Model answer

    Successful resolution gives the person a lasting strength, such as hope or competence. An unresolved conflict can cause problems in later stages.

  3. 3

    What are Erikson's first two stages?

    Model answer

    Trust versus mistrust occurs in infancy, when a baby learns whether carers are reliable. Autonomy versus shame and doubt occurs in the toddler years, as the child gains independence.

  4. 4

    What are Erikson's third and fourth stages?

    Model answer

    Initiative versus guilt occurs in the preschool years, as children plan and start activities. Industry versus inferiority occurs in the primary school years, as children develop skills and compare themselves with others.

  5. 5

    What is Erikson's fifth stage, and why is it central to identity?

    Model answer

    Identity versus role confusion occurs in adolescence. Teenagers explore different roles and values to work out who they are.

  6. 6

    What are Erikson's final three stages?

    Model answer

    Intimacy versus isolation occurs in young adulthood, and generativity versus stagnation occurs in middle age. Ego integrity versus despair occurs in old age, when people look back on their lives.

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