Erikson's Stages of Psychosocial Development Part 3 | MCAT Psychology Prep

In this lesson, we go through stages 3 and 4 of Erikson's stages of psychosocial development.
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(00:12) Initiative vs. Guilt
Stage 3 is preschool age (ages 4-6) and a psychosocial crisis here is initiative versus guilt. The virtue that children can develop by successfully completing this stage is purpose.
During this stage, children begin to make decisions through social interactions and play. They also take on tasks independently, succeeding at some and failing with others. If adults are encouraging to the children, the children will develop initiative and self-confidence. If instead the child receives disapproval, then they will develop feelings of guilt.
(00:50) Identity vs. Inferiority
Stage 4 is school age (ages 6 through puberty) and the psychosocial crisis here is industry versus inferiority. (Remember that for later stages of Erikson’s theory there aren't clear age ranges for these stages.) The virtue that can be developed here is competence.
As children are in school or participating in various activities, such as solving problems, drawing, writing, reading, and so forth, if a child receives positive feedback from their teachers and their parents, they will develop industry, become productive, and accept evaluations of their efforts. If instead, the child is criticized or punished for failing to meet expectations, they will develop feelings of inferiority.