Final answer:
Erik Erikson's psychosocial theory of development extends from birth to death across eight stages, focusing on the lifelong interaction between individuals and their social environment. Each stage involves a critical psychosocial task that influences personality development and competence. Erikson's theory emphasizes social factors more than Freud's psychosexual stages, offering a broader perspective on personality formation.
Step-by-step explanation:
Erik Erikson's Theory of Psychosocial Development
Erik Erikson, a renowned psychologist, expanded upon Freud's psychosexual theory to develop his own psychosocial theory of development. Erikson's seminal work entries personality development not as a completed process by adulthood but rather a continual progression through life, from birth to death. His eight stages of development contain critical psychosocial tasks that shape an individual's sense of self, known as the ego identity.
Erikson suggested that social interactions and success in navigating various life stages influence the development of a healthy personality and a sense of competence. He posited that at each stage, individuals face a conflict or developmental task, the resolution of which leads to a feeling of adequacy or inadequacy. This contrasts with Freud's belief that personality is mostly established in childhood and emphasized psychosocial over psychosexual aspects.
Success in mastering these psychosocial tasks results in a stronger sense of self-competence, while failure could lead to feelings of incompetence. Thus, Erikson shifted the focus of developmental psychology to include the lifelong interaction between individuals and their social environment. His influential concept emphasizes the substantial impact of social experiences on personality development.