Erik Erikson, the renowned psychologist, originated a detailed explanation of what he called the “Eight Stages of Psychosocial Development.” These stages were specific conflicts that all individuals face as they move from birth to death. However, as he and his wife, Joan, entered their late eighties and early nineties they both became aware of living in a ninth stage. They extended their personal observations to the study others in this age group. They found commonalities. Researchers attempting to validate this ninth stage of development also found that this stage did, indeed, exist.
Before discussing this fascinating ninth stage we need to take a quick look at the first eight stages of development, in order to understand the ninth stage.
The First Seven Stages
According to Erikson each stage presents the individual with a psychosocial conflict that must be resolved. Each stage has a positive and negative pole. For instance, during the first stage the infant struggles with whether to trust the environment or not. If he or she is born into a relatively stable, dependable environment the infant learns to trust and out of that trust hope emerges. If, however, the infant is born into an environment that is erratic, and undependable he or she may grow up considering the world to be an untrustworthy place. This will color future life experiences and rather than entering the world with a hopeful outlook, the individual may feel hopeless.
Stages Two through Seven
Stage 2 (Early Childhood)
Positive & Negative Poles: Autonomy vs. Shame & Doubt
Results of Conflict: Will
Stage 3. (Play Age)
Positive & Negative Poles: Initiative vs Guilt
Results of Conflict: Purpose
Stage 4 (School Age)
Positive & Negative Poles: Industry vs. Inferiority
Results of Conflict: Competence
Stage 5 (Adolescence)
Positive & Negative Poles: Identity vs. Identity Confusion
Results of Conflict: Fidelity
Stage 6 (Young Adulthood)
Positive & Negative Poles: Intimacy vs. Isolation
Results of Conflict: Love
Stage 7 (Adulthood)
Positive & Negative Poles: Generativity vs. Stagnation
Results of Conflict: Care
