Evaluating Self-Concept and Ego Status in Erikson's Last Three Psychosocial Stages

The objective of this article is to suggest behavioral criteria that can be used for assessing the status of self-concept and ego development in Erikson's last three psychosocial stages. The strength of Erikson's theory has been in its contribution to the understanding of human development through a continuum of psychosocial stages. A weakness, however, has been in the uncertainty about the particular behaviors one should look for when assessing the positive or negative aspects of self-concept and ego development. To parallel an earlier article examining Erikson's first five stages (Hamachek, 1988), three tables of different behavioral expressions are presented, each providing examples of possible behaviors and implicit attitudes related to positive and negative ego resolutions associated with the last three stages. Implications for evaluation of problem concerns and counseling are noted.