Erikson Development Characters in Development Erik Erikson\'s

Erikson Development

Characters in Development

Erik Erikson's theory of development divides psychological/social development into eight stages, identified by specific virtues and certain conflicts. These stages are typically associated with specific ages in physical development, as well, but it is possible to identify certain adults experiencing these various stages, too. This can be easier using characters from television programs, which tend to be more extreme and more two-dimensional.

Stage One

The first stage in Erikson's development theory is defined by the virtue of hope and the conflict of trust vs. mistrust. Typically seen in infants, the character of Phoebe from the show Friends can be seen as exemplifying this stage. She interacts with the world on a completely naive basis, and is still learning how people can either help or hurt her.

Stage Two

From about 18 months to three years of age, Erikson believes that the virtue of will and the conflict of autonomy vs. shame and doubt typifies development. Blanche from Golden Girls exemplifies this stage to a degree, exploring her…interests…quite full, and clearly experiencing no real shame but rather a high degree of autonomy.

Stage Three

Until six years of age, the typical person is in a stage of development defined by purpose, and a conflict between initiative and guilt. Hawkeye from the classic M*A*S*H is very much exemplary of this stage of development. He plans, and he also very deliberately and systematically pushes boundaries, learning the limits of what he can and should do.

Stage Four

Following this stage, the typical person enters a stage where competence and industry vs. inferiority come to the fore. Ray from Everybody Loves Raymond falls into this category, although he is much older than the twelve years old that usually serves as the cutoff. Seeking approval and praise for his actions, ray is continually coping with the development of his moral values and his productivity and impact upon the other members of his family.

Stage Five

Fidelity and a conflict between identity and role confusion is typically seen in adolescence, from twelve to eighteen years of age. There are many adolescent characters on television to choose from, but Will Smith's character on Fresh Prince of Bel Air is an extreme example. His character is entirely absorbed with self-definition and independence, and determining his specific place in a multitude of different and often conflicting worlds.

Stage Six

Young adults from twenty to thirty years of age are concerned with love and a conflict between intimacy and isolation. Homer Simpson typifies this stage in many ways, trying to retain his own identity while remaining intimate and sharing his identity this his wife. At the same time, many of his actions risk his isolation if he is not able to shore up this intimate relationship.

Stage Seven