Mrs.
Perl
AP Psychology-Developmental Psychology
Erikson’s Stages
Erik Erikson maintained that a person’s psychosocial development goes through stages. At each stage,
there is a potential crisis that a person must navigate through with a potential for either a positive or
negative resolution depending upon the nature of the psychosocial interactions the person has.
Questionnaire about Erikson’s Stages:
Indicate how each of the statements applies to you using the following scale:
0=Never applies to you
1=Occasionally applies to you
2=Fairly often applies to you
3=very often applies to you
Trust vs. Mistrust
I feel pessimistic about the future of mankind _______ (R when scoring)
I feel the world’s major problems can be solved _______
I am filled with admiration for humankind _______
People can be trusted _______
I feel optimistic about my future _______
Score: ________ (out of 12)
Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt
When people try to persuade me to do something I don’t want to, I _______
refuse.
After I have made a decision, I feel I have made a mistake. _______(R when scoring)
I am unnecessarily apologetic _______(R when scoring)
I worry that my friends will find fault with me. _______(R when scoring)
When I disagree with someone I tell them. _______
Score: ________ (out of 12)
Initiative vs. Guilt
I am prepared to take a risk to get what I want. _______
I feel hesitant to try out a new way of doing something. _______(R when scoring)
I am confident in carrying out my plans to a successful conclusion. _______
I feel what happens to me is the result of what I have done. _______
When I have difficulty in getting something right, I give up. _______ (R when scoring)
Score: ________ (out of 12)
Industry vs. Inferiority
When people look at something I have done, I feel embarrassed. _______ (R when scoring)
I get a great deal of pleasure from working. _______
I feel too incompetent to do what I would really like to do in life. _______(R when scoring)
I avoid doing something difficult because I feel I would fail. _______(R when scoring)
I feel competent. _______
Score: ________ (out of 12)
Identity vs. Role Confusion
I wonder what sort of person I really am. _______ (R when scoring)
I feel certain about what I should do with my life. _______
My worth is recognized by others. _______
I feel proud to be the sort of person I am. _______
I am unsure as to how people feel about me. _______(R when scoring)
Score: ________ (out of 12)
Intimacy vs. Isolation
I feel that no one has ever known the real me. _______ (R when scoring)
I have a feeling of complete “togetherness” with someone. _______
I feel it is better to remain free than to become committed to marriage _______(R when scoring)
for life.
I share my private thoughts with someone. _______
I feel as though I am alone in the world. _______ (R when scoring)
Score: ________ (out of 12)
Generativity vs. Stagnation
I feel that I have done nothing that will survive after I die. _______ (R when scoring)
I help people to improve themselves. _______
I feel that my life is being wasted. _______(R when scoring)
I have a good influence on people. _______
I enjoy guiding young people. _______
Score: ________ (out of 12)
Erikson’s Stages:
Stage Age Characteristics/Conflict
Trust vs. Mistrust
Autonomy vs.
Shame and Doubt
Initiative vs. Guilt
Industry vs.
Inferiority
Identity vs. Role
Confusion
Intimacy vs.
isolation
Generativity vs.
Stagnation
Integrity vs.
Despair
Which stage do you think the resolution of the conflict is the most difficult? Why?
