Erikson's Theory: Intimacy Versus Isolation

Erik Erikson’s sixth stage of psychosocial development is intimacy versus isolation. Erikson argued that young adults would be afraid of committing to a long-term relationship with another person. Young adults may also become overly dependent on the partner for their identity. To conclude a person may need a sense of who they are before they can get close to someone else. Erikson believed that a strong sense of personal identity was important for developing intimate relationships.

Generativity versus stagnation, Erikson's seventh developmental stage, occurs during middle adulthood. By generativity Erikson means primarily “a concern for helping the younger generation to develop and lead useful lives. The feeling of having done nothing to help the next generation is stagnation” (Santrock, 2013, p. 23). Both

The beginning stages of Erikson’s (1968, 1980, 1982) model focus almost entirely on the individual and the self, developing those personal characteristics and developing the idea of the self. It is not until middle adulthood that the psychosocial conflict changes perspective to reflect outside of the self. The seventh psychosocial stage is generativity versus stagnation, which takes place during the ages of 40 to 60. In this stage, the individual turns the focus outside of themselves and starts to focus on society, community, and the family. While a person can feel generative by having their own family and children, this is only a small part of being successfully generative.

One of the effects of the vicious poison of relationships known as lack of communication creates a side effect of isolation. Isolation is a position in which any human will make mistakes which they may greatly regret in the near future. This is exemplified when Ann is isolated at home and ends up cheating on John with Steve. After she has betrayed John she realizes of her

Eric Erikson was one of the most famous theorists of the twentieth century; he created many theories. One of the most talked about theories is his theory of psychosocial development. This is a theory that describes stages in which an individual should pass as they are going through life. His theory includes nine stages all together. The original theory only included eight stages but Erikson‘s wife found a ninth stage and published it after his death. The nine stages include: trust vs. mistrust, autonomy vs. shame and doubt, initiative vs. guilt, industry vs. inferiority, identity vs. identity confusion, intimacy vs. isolation, generativity vs. stagnation, integrity vs. despair, and hope and faith vs. despair (Crandell and Crandell,

Intimacy versus isolation is stage six in Erik Ericksons eight stages of human development. This stage takes place from approximately 19-40 years of age (Orlofsky, Marcia, & Lesser, 1973). The big question that people face in this stage is will I be loved or will I be alone. During this stage people start to develop more long term relationships. Friendship, dating, marriage and family play a big role in the happiness of this stage. This is when we leave the people that we grew up with and start our own lives. By establishing

The second theory examined is Erik Erikson’s eight stages of psychosocial development. Each stage in Erikson’s theory involves a conflict/crisis that a person must work through to evolve their personality. Rosenthal (1981) explains that, “Each stage arises because a new dimension of social interaction

She was a toe headed girl who was very kind, there wasn’t much between me and Nancy she was a cheerleader always too busy for me.

Erik H. Erikson was a significant psychologist that greatly changed the field of child development. In the 1950’s, Erikson advanced a Freudian approach in development. He viewed that social development as a series of eight challenges that people have to overcome. Each challenge has an outcome that’s either favorable or unfavorable. The outcome drastically affects a person’s personality. For example, in a favorable outcome, the result can leave a positive feeling. With a positive outlook, it’s easier for a person to cope with challenges in life. An unfavorable outcome can leave a person at a disadvantaged for the future. During the first couple challenges, Erikson believed that the caregiver has a great impact on a child’s development

Intimacy vs. Isolation (age 18-40) I do agree on Erik Erikson theory during this stage I develop loving and committed relationship with my partner less bounding with my parent.

During this stage of life one establishes their place in the workplace, makes a commitment in a relationship, start families of their own and can now see the bigger picture of life. We continue the cycle of life by raising our children, working in our community and being involved in activities and organizations. When one fails this stage they become depressed and feel like their unproductive within their society.

Erikson’s stage that I am choosing to explore is the sixth stage, known as intimacy vs isolation. This is the stage when young people learn to make personal commitment to another spouse, parent, or partner. Throughout this stage, one also tends to seek love. One starts to wonder whether he or she will be loved or will he or she be alone. Ideally, this relates to my own personal life because recently, I tried to pursue a relationship with someone who did not have interest me. These feelings developed based off my interpretation of love. When I venture out to find love, I look for someone who offers me happiness. As a result of my own beliefs, I thought this person liked me back. Little did I know, I was totally wrong. This accusation resulted in me creating

Social History: The patient widowed and lives in a house with her two daughters. Currently employed as a supervisor at Walmart and has health insurance through her work. Works full time and enjoy her work. She enjoys spending time with her family. She is sexually active. She is currently in an intimate relationship for the past one year after the death of her husband and used condoms occasionally when having sex. Highest level of education is bachelor’s degree

It is clear to see every one of Erikson’s stages play out within my mother’s life. As a 46-year-old woman, she has achieved most all of the beginning stages, such as autonomy and industry, but it was not until after she was married, at age 22, that she gained a more clear and confident identity while she simultaneously worked toward achieving intimacy. Though Erikson believed that one must have a secure self identity before moving onto the next stage, which includes marriage, it is evident in the case of my mother that the relationships she formed after marriage are what makes up the majority of her current identity. In stage seven she developed a mature love and fully found her identity through experiences as a mother and wife. She even went as far as to say that she would have “most likely turned

For my life journey I have chose to use Eric Erikson’s theory I have decided to use his theory because to me his theory suited my life appropriately. Eric Erikson is a well known theorist from the twentieth century, he has produced many theories. One of his most known and recognized theory is the psychosocial development. This theory describes the steps a person goes through in life. There are nine stages in his theory. Originally his theory only eight steps, but his wife found the last step after his death and published it. The nine stages are: trust vs. mistrust, autonomy vs. shame and doubt, initiative vs. guilt, industry vs. inferiority, identity vs. role confusion, intimacy and soliditary vs. isolation, generativity vs. self absorption and stagnation, and integrity vs. despair. Although, I have not gone through all of these steps yet due to my age I am only twenty two. I will speak about the steps I have gone through so far.