Erik Erikson's Sixth Stage of Psychosocial Development: Intimacy versus Isolation

The psychosocial conflict of intimacy versus isolation is the sixth stage of Erik Erikson’s psychosocial development theory. It usually occurs in 19-40 year old adults. The process specifically involves the formation of intimate and loving relationships.  We seek out mutually satisfying relationships through marriage and friends. Erikson believes that “having a fully formed sense of self (established during the identity versus confusion stage) is essential to being able to form intimate relationships” (Cherry, about.com psychology, n.d.).

People who lack a sense of self have shown in studies to have more commitment issues than those who developed a strong sense of who there are. Depression, loneliness, and emotional isolation frequently accompany the commitment issues. Erikson notes that people who are able to develop close and committed relationships will be able to avoid loneliness and isolation throughout life.  Successful development throughout this stage results in the experience of a deep level of intimacy. When we are unable to experience this intimacy “our world can begin to shrink as, in defense, we can feel superior to others” (Harder, 2002).

A good example of someone who has failed to develop intimate relationships on television today is the show House. House lives alone and has few friends, even lacking people who like him. “His behavior often borders on antisocial, but House is a brilliant diagnostician whose unconventional thinking and flawless instincts afford him a great deal of respect” (FOX, 2012).  He feels superior and smarter than everyone he interacts with and exhibits all of the qualities that Erikson describes people who fail at intimacy have.

References

Cherry, K. (n.d.). about.com psychology. Retrieved from Itimacy Versus Isolation: http://psychology.about.com/od/psychosocialtheories/a/intimacy-versus-isolation.htm

FOX. (2012). Fox. Retrieved from House: http://www.fox.com/house/about/

Harder, A. F. (2002). Learning Place Online. Retrieved from The Developmental Stages of Erik Erikson: http://www.learningplaceonline.com/stages/organize/Erikson.htm