Erikson’s Stages of Psychosocial Development

Question

Now it’s time to roll up your sleeves and make a poster to show the changes throughout the life span. You will make up a person to trace throughout Erikson’s Stages of Psychosocial Development. Name your character and for each of life’s eight stages of development draw a picture of the character or cut out a photo from a magazine to represent that life stage. If you are drawing your character at different ages, do so on another piece of paper so you can cut out each one to glue to your large poster paper.

Decide how you want to design your poster—where will each stage of life be placed? Do you want a circle of life? A line? A pathway? Use your creativity to have fun planning the design. Label each stage of life and write three developmental characteristics about the stage; be sure to leave room around each picture for this material as you are planning it out.

Create a female character in the Canva virtual version. Label each stage of life and write three developmental characteristics about each stage.

Answer 1

Creating a poster based on Erikson’s Stages of Psychosocial Development is a fantastic project! Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you design your character and the overall layout of your poster using Canva.

Step 1: Create Your Character

1. Character Name: Let’s name your character "Sarah."
2. Gender: Female
3. Design Sarah: Open Canva and select "Create a Design." Choose a poster template or create a custom size. Use Canva’s character illustrations or photos to represent Sarah at different ages (infancy, childhood, adolescence, etc.).

Step 2: Outline of Stages

Erikson’s stages are as follows:

1. Trust vs. Mistrust (Infancy, 0-1 year)
2. Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt (Early Childhood, 1-3 years)
3. Initiative vs. Guilt (Preschool, 3-6 years)
4. Industry vs. Inferiority (School Age, 6-12 years)
5. Identity vs. Role Confusion (Adolescence, 12-18 years)
6. Intimacy vs. Isolation (Young Adulthood, 18-40 years)
7. Generativity vs. Stagnation (Middle Adulthood, 40-65 years)
8. Integrity vs. Despair (Maturity, 65+ years)

Step 3: Design the Poster

• Layout: Consider making a pathway layout, with Sarah’s pictures arranged sequentially as she grows older.
• Background: Choose a colorful or thematic background that reflects the life journey theme.

Step 4: Add Images and Text for Each Stage

For each of the eight stages, do the following:

1. Add Sarah’s Picture: Use a drawing, illustration, or photo for that age.

2. Label the Stage: Include the name of the stage (e.g., "Trust vs. Mistrust").

3. List Developmental Characteristics: Write three key characteristics for each stage:

   1. Trust vs. Mistrust (Infancy)

   • Needs consistent care from caregivers.
   • Develops trust when needs are met.
   • Experiences the world as a safe place.

   2. Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt (Early Childhood)

   • Begins to develop a sense of personal control.
   • Gains independence through toilet training and other skills.
   • Risks feelings of shame if overly controlled.

   3. Initiative vs. Guilt (Preschool)

   • Initiates activities through play.
   • Develops leadership skills and decisiveness.
   • Can feel guilt over missteps or overstepping boundaries.

   4. Industry vs. Inferiority (School Age)

   • Develops skills and competence in tasks.
   • Gains confidence when successful in school or activities.
   • May develop feelings of inferiority if not meeting expectations.

   5. Identity vs. Role Confusion (Adolescence)

   • Explores personal identity and values.
   • Experiments with different roles and experiences.
   • Struggles with the quest for self-understanding.

   6. Intimacy vs. Isolation (Young Adulthood)

   • Establishes intimate relationships with others.
   • Seeks deep connections and love.
   • Risks feelings of isolation if unable to connect.

   7. Generativity vs. Stagnation (Middle Adulthood)

   • Contributes to society through work and community.
   • Guides the next generation.
   • Struggles with feelings of unproductiveness if not contributing.

   8. Integrity vs. Despair (Maturity)

   • Reflects on life with a sense of fulfillment.
   • Accepts life decisions and experiences.
   • Risks feelings of regret or despair if viewing life negatively.

Step 5: Final Touches

• Decorate the Poster: Add fun elements, such as flowers or stars, around the stages to make it visually appealing.
• Use Colors: Assign different colors for each stage to create a vibrant poster.
• Title: At the top, write a title for your poster like “The Life Journey of Sarah: Erikson's Stages of Development.”

Step 6: Save and Present

Once you’re happy with your poster, save it in your desired format. Prepare to present it and share the journey of Sarah through Erikson’s stages!

This format encourages creativity while providing a clear understanding of each psychosocial stage in Erikson's theory. Good luck with your poster!