Intimacy vs. Isolation

In 1959, Erik Erickson described psychosocial phases of development that he believed all humans pass through from birth to death. He believed that personal development was a conflict between the needs of the self and the needs of society; each of his stages reflect this view. Erickson believed that successful completion of each stage led one to a higher level of self-awareness and better functioning within society.

The stages are:

Stage Basic Conflict Important Events Outcome Infancy (birth to 18 months) Trust vs. Mistrust Feeding Children develop a sense of trust when caregivers provide reliabilty, care, and affection. A lack of this will lead to mistrust. Early Childhood (2 to 3 years) Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt Toilet Training Children need to develop a sense of personal control over physical skills and a sense of independence. Success leads to feelings of autonomy, failure results in feelings of shame and doubt. Preschool (3 to 5 years) Initiative vs. Guilt Exploration Children need to begin asserting control and power over the environment. Success in this stage leads to a sense of purpose. Children who try to exert too much power experience disapproval, resulting in a sense of guilt. School Age (6 to 11 years) Industry vs. Inferiority School Children need to cope with new social and academic demands. Success leads to a sense of competence, while failure results in feelings of inferiority. Adolescence (12 to 18 years) Identity vs. Role Confusion Social Relationships Teens need to develop a sense of self and personal identity. Success leads to an ability to stay true to yourself, while failure leads to role confusion and a weak sense of self. Young Adulthood (19 to 40 years) Intimacy vs. Isolation Relationships Young adults need to form intimate, loving relationships with other people. Success leads to strong relationships, while failure results in loneliness and isolation. Middle Adulthood (40 to 65 years) Generativity vs. Stagnation Work and Parenthood Adults need to create or nurture things that will outlast them, often by having children or creating a positive change that benefits other people. Success leads to feelings of usefulness and accomplishment, while failure results in shallow involvement in the world. Maturity(65 to death) Ego Integrity vs. Despair Reflection on Life Older adults need to look back on life and feel a sense of fulfillment. Success at this stage leads to feelings of wisdom, while failure results in regret, bitterness, and despair.

Ericksonian stages are the stuff of first year med school last minute cramming. And they are also on my mind as I look forward to the years of medical training ahead of me. Working all day every day isn't conducive to good interpersonal relationships outside of the hospital. And I do think there is some truth to the conflict between society and self in my current stage of Intimacy vs. Isolation. I do want strong relationships. Society reinforces the belief that we should all be partnered, possibly with children. As I get older (and ostensibly progress through this stage) I do feel a sense of isolation from not remaining in the same city for long, from not having a stable life. This isolation does not consume me, but it is no surprise that psychologists have recognized a somewhat fundamental need for humans to be connected to each other. It does cause me to reflect on how fortunate I am to be connected to many people in my life. So, while I may be off in the middle of the mountains, I am also seeking that which we all seek, intimacy in the face of isolation. And someday I may stay a while.