Human development
is a branch of psychology with the
goal of understanding people — how
they develop, grow, and change
throughout their lives. This discipline,
which can help individuals better
understand themselves and their
relationships, is broad.
Stage 1 — Infancy: Trust
vs. Mistrust
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Infants learn to trust based on how
well their caregivers meet their basic
needs and respond when they cry.
When their needs are met, infants learn
that relying on others is safe; when their
needs go unmet, infants grow up to be less
trusting.
Stage 2 — Toddlerhood:
Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt
Toddlers go through this stage responding to
their caregivers. If caregivers encourage them
to be independent and explore the world on
their own, toddlers will grow up with a sense
of self-efficacy.
If the caregivers hover excessively or
encourage dependence, these toddlers grow
up with less confidence in their abilities.
Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt
Autonomy: If encouraged and supported in their
increased independence, children will become
more confident and secure in their ability to survive.
Shame and Doubt: On the other hand, if children are
overly controlled or criticized, they may begin to feel
ashamed of their autonomy and doubt their abilities.
Stage 3 — Preschool
Years: Initiative vs. Guilt
During this period, the primary
feature involves the child regularly
interacting with other children at
school.
Central to this stage is play, as it
allows children to explore their
interpersonal skills through initiating
activities.
Here’s why exploration
is important:
• Developing Initiative: Exploration
allows children to assert their power
and control over their environment.
• Learning from Mistakes: Exploration
also means making mistakes, and these
provide crucial learning opportunities.
Stage 4 — Early School Years:
Industry vs. Inferiority
In this stage, children start to
compare themselves with their
peers to gauge their abilities and
worth.
the child’s peer group will gain greater
significance and become a major
source of the child’s self-esteem.
Industry: If children are encouraged
by parents and teachers to develop
skills, they gain a sense of industry—
a feeling of competence and belief in
their skills.
Inferiority: On the other
hand, if children receive
negative feedback or are not
allowed to demonstrate their
skills, they may develop a
sense of inferiority.
Stage 5 — Adolescence:
Identity vs. Role Confusion
During this stage, adolescents
search for a sense of self and
personal identity, through an
intense exploration of personal
values, beliefs, and goals.
Identity: If adolescents are
supported in their exploration and
given the freedom to explore
different roles, they are likely to
emerge from this stage with a
strong sense of self and a feeling of
independence and control.
Role Confusion: If adolescents are
restricted and not given the space
to explore or find the process too
overwhelming or distressing, they
may experience role confusion.
Erikson described 3
forms of identity crisis:
• severe (identity confusion
overwhelms personal identity)
• prolonged (realignment of childhood
identifications over an extended
time)
• aggravated (repeated unsuccessful
attempts at resolution)
Stage 6 — Young Adulthood:
Intimacy vs. Isolation
oDuring this stage, the
major conflict centers on
forming intimate, loving
relationships with other
people.
oIntimacy: Individuals
who successfully
navigate this stage are
able to form intimate,
reciprocal relationships
with others.
oIsolation: If individuals
struggle to form these
close relationships,
perhaps due to earlier
unresolved identity
crises or fear of
rejection, they may
Stage 7 — Middle Adulthood:
Generativity vs. Stagnation
During this stage,
individuals focus more
on building our lives,
primarily through our
careers, families, and
contributions to
Generativity: If individuals feel
they are making valuable
contributions to the world, for
instance, through raising
children or contributing to
positive changes in society,
they will feel a sense of
generativity.
Stagnation: If individuals
feel they are not making a
positive impact or are not
involved in productive or
creative tasks, they may
experience stagnation.
Stage 8 — Late Adulthood:
Integrity vs. Despair
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•It is during this time
that we contemplate our
accomplishments and
can develop integrity if
we see ourselves as
leading a successful life.
•Ego Integrity: If
individuals feel they
have lived a fulfilling
and meaningful life,
they will experience ego
integrity.
• Despair: On the other
hand, if individuals feel
regretful about their past,
feel they have made poor
decisions, or believe
they’ve failed to achieve
their life goals, they may
DEVELOPMENTAL TASKS
ASSOCIATED WITH
ADOLESCENTS
TRANSITION
• A developmental task is a task
that arises at or about a certain
period in life, unsuccessful
achievement of which leads to
inability to perform tasks
associated with the next period
or stage in life.
1. Learning to get along with
friends of both sexes.
• To learn to look upon girls as women and
boys as men; to become an adult among
adults; to learn to work with others for a
common purpose, disregarding personal
feelings; to lead without dominating.
2. Accepting one's physical
body and keeping it healthy.
• To accept one's body; to keep
it healthy through good
nutrition, exercise, disease
prevention, and other health
practices.
3. Becoming more self-
sufficient.
• To develop affection for parents
without dependence upon them;
to develop respect for older
adults without dependence
upon them.
4. Making decisions about
marriage and family life.
• To explore attitudes toward family
life and having children; to acquire
the knowledge necessary for home
management and, if desired, child
rearing.
5. Preparing for a job or career.
• To develop career/vocational
goals and ways to reach
these goals; to be able to
make a living.
6. Acquiring a set of values to
guide behavior.
• To develop an
outlook toward life
based on what is
important.
7. Becoming socially
responsible.
• To participate as a responsible
person with friends at home,
and in the community; to
develop personal moral values
to guide behavior.
1) Considering your
developmental stage at
present, what are the
things that you value most
in life?
2) In your own little way, how
can you be help to your
society?
References:
https://www.simplypsychology.org/erik-erikson.html
https://online.maryville.edu/online-bachel
ors-degrees/human-development-and-fami
ly-studies/resources/stages-of-human-deve
lopment/
https://www.wvdhhr.org/bph/modules/man/man-res3.htm#:~:te
xt=DEVELOPMENTAL%20TASKS%20OF%20ADOLESCENCE&text=A
%20developmental%20task%20is%20a,period%20or%20stage%2
0in%20life.&text=1.,about%20marriage%20and%20family%20life
.
