Development Learning/Memory

Episode 68: Mnemonic Device for Erikson’s Eight Stages of Development



Unlocking Erikson’s Eight Stages: A Fresh Approach

Introduction

Erik Erikson’s Eight Stages of Psychosocial Development offer insights into our journey from birth to old age. Yet, many find them tough to remember. However, I’m here to change that.

Creative Memorization

Memorization can be dull, but not today! We’re moving away from the study approach where you read, underline, read again, underline…. Instead, let’s dive into a world filled with humor and creativity. Our method? Linking each stage to fun, relatable imagery.

For instance, consider the first stage: trust versus mistrust. Think of a ‘rusty bun’ to memorize this. Sound odd? Yes. Memorable? Absolutely!

Following this, there’s autonomy versus shame. In this “one is a bun” mnemonic, “two is a shoe” so let’s imagine a car (an “auto” for “autonomy”) shoved into a shoe – quirky, right? But it’s something that sticks.

Erikson vs. Erickson

A quick note – it’s Erikson, not Erickson. Interestingly, the latter might remind some of Milton Erickson, another psychology giant.

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Michael

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152 Comments

  1. Avatar

    Amanda G.

    August 22, 2008

    I don’t think i’ve ever commented on a youtube video, but this was worth taking the extra minute. I’ve been studying for the EPPP for months and there are certain things my brain just WON’T memorize. Erikson’s stages was one example. I’ll be honest, during the first few minutes, I thought “this will never work for me” but it did work!!! I have finally memorized this is minutes!!

  2. Avatar

    woodrow

    August 22, 2008

    Glad to hear it! Thanks for letting me know. Congrats.

  3. Avatar

    Susan

    August 22, 2008

    Gah!!! Studying for my psychiatric NP boards and really struggling to memorize Erikson, Piaget, etc. I have them all nailed with this system. THANK YOU!

  4. Avatar

    woodrow

    August 22, 2008

    Thank you for letting me know about this. You are correct – I did have the shorter version of the video embedded here. I changed that and now the full video is shown. Thx!

  5. Avatar

    Amanda

    August 22, 2008

    The video only shows me the first 3 stages. It’s so helpful! I’m wondering if there’s another video that goes through stages 4-8?

  6. Avatar

    woodrow

    August 22, 2008

    That’s the thing about mnemonics: you have to relate them to your own experience. I like what you suggest here. It’ll work just as good – or better – than mine.

  7. Avatar

    Mshikow21

    August 22, 2008

    Thanks for this. About the tree..most starting community based organizations in Africa do projects for their anniversary. So they plant tree or clean the environment. That’s a good initiative. Why plant trees or clean environment? Coz they feel guilty. That’s how I remember. Thanks for the mnemonic.

  8. Avatar

    Lauren

    August 22, 2008

    this was amazing thank you! currently studying for the MCAT

  9. Avatar

    Ramtin

    August 22, 2008

    At first I was very skeptic. Since I am studying for the MCAT, I was not trying to spend 18 minutes on something silly. However, I have to admit your video was extremely helpful. I spent hours trying to memorize these terms with no luck. After using these rather bizarre imageries, I have easily committed all of them to memory in less than 20 minutes. Thank you so much!

  10. Avatar

    Anonymous

    August 22, 2008

    Super cool video! Thank you for finding a way to help us remember this information! And thank you daughter for sharing her toys with us 🙂

  11. Avatar

    Sidney

    August 22, 2008

    Hey just wanted to let you know that this was crazy helpful and i memorized it immediately. Saved me a lot of time and taught me the peg-word system

  12. Avatar

    Amira

    August 22, 2008

    OMG! This reallyyyyy helped me soooo much! I’m studying for my MCAT and this is sooo helpful! Thank you so much for taking time to make this video, really appreciate it! 🙂

  13. Avatar

    Chasity McVay

    August 22, 2008

    WOW Appreciate YOU!! This is AMAZING!! Thanks so much – i’m in Nursing school and have a test next week on the 8 Stages! This was so Helpful! 🙂

  14. Avatar

    Vanessa

    August 22, 2008

    This is absolutely brilliant! I am in nursing school with a test tomorrow and I can remember all of them! 🙂

  15. Avatar

    Amina

    August 22, 2008

    Thank you so much for this wonderful video! I sincerely appreciate all your time in developing this video and the website overall. My MCAT professor recommended this website, and I am very glad to have access to such wonderful information!

    May God bless you and your family!

  16. Avatar

    Trinity

    August 22, 2008

    Thank you so much for this! I’ve been really struggling trying to memorize these and this did it!

  17. Avatar

    Meriel

    August 22, 2008

    Thank you so much for this. I normally only use letters to try to memorise but have so much to remember it’s getting quite confusing. I stumbled across this video and it’s a revelation. Could recall and write all stages after one watch!! Thanks for saving me so much time and I’ve much more confidence in this than my usual method.

  18. Avatar

    Michael

    August 22, 2008

    Thanks! I can’t believe that it’s been 10 years since I recorded this video. I still get a comment or an email every week about it. That’s cool. Thanks Will. This one was a lot of fun and I’m glad students are still finding it useful on their tests.

  19. Avatar

    Will Betterman

    August 22, 2008

    I am taking AP Psych and these have helped a lot. Thanks papa elf for the help on these mnemonic devices. Almost 8 years later and still very relevant, I feel like this video is ageless.

  20. Avatar

    Michael

    August 22, 2008

    Yea, the household items part was fun. I’d like to do more of that actually. Glad it helped you memorize his stages and thanks so much for the comment!

  21. Avatar

    Claudia

    August 22, 2008

    Hey! I’m really hoping you still read the comments. I’m a psychology student and this video has helped me A LOT. At first, I thought it was pretty bizarre with all the household objects and the dusty dinosaur but then I realized that it has actually helped me link the stages with visual imagery and I don’t need to rely on memory power to remember this anymore! I’m so glad you made this video because it’s definitely helping me in my studies. Thanks Michael 🙂

  22. Avatar

    N

    August 22, 2008

    Thanks, Michael. I was studying for MCAT and you saved my life.

  23. Avatar

    Marivic

    August 22, 2008

    This helped me so much! Thank for this video. Although, yeah, it seems bizarre, the things you used to integrate with those stages but indeed helpful and easily remembered. I was able to memorize it in few minutes with stopping in the middle.

  24. Avatar

    Michael

    August 22, 2008

    You’re welcome! Hope it helps you on a test.

  25. Avatar

    Camille

    August 22, 2008

    I have never been able to memorize something so fast. Thank you so much!

  26. Avatar

    Adam

    August 22, 2008

    Hey Michael – I just wanted to tell you how helpful this video was. I am studying for the MCAT and with the monotony and stress that comes with studying for something like the MCAT, your video was a breath of fresh air. I can confidently say that even if I get everything else wrong, that if a question about Erikson’s Psychosocial Development comes up, that I will get it correct.

    It looks like I am going to have to subscribe to your podcast now!

  27. Avatar

    eva tapia

    August 22, 2008

    Wow, I could not have done it without you. I have the worst memory going back to nursing school up in age and this was remarkable. Thanks so much!!!

  28. Avatar

    smrufy

    August 22, 2008

    very helpful studying for psych gre !!

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    August 22, 2008

    […] Episode 68: Mnemonic Device for Erikson’s Eight Stages of Development […]

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    August 22, 2008

    […] Episode 68: Mnemonic Device for Erikson’s Eight Stages of Development […]

  31. Avatar

    Margaret

    August 22, 2008

    My first instinct was to laugh at this and call it ridiculous, but I kept watching until the end and low and behold: I remember Erikson’s eight stages! THANK YOU!

  32. Avatar

    Michael

    August 22, 2008

    Thank you so much Sandi and Ronnie. Very much appreciated. 🙂

  33. Avatar

    Sandi

    August 22, 2008

    Also a Nursing student. I have been putting it off because it just didn’t stick…. Then I found your Web page and boom got it and then moved on to Freud. Thank you so much. You have helped so many. Sandi from Australia

  34. Avatar

    Ronnie

    August 22, 2008

    Nursing student who will be using your mnemonics for the third time. It always helps

  35. Avatar

    Jakob

    August 22, 2008

    With the third mnemonic.. I kinda switched it up to help me make better sense of it. I used Shia’s Inn has a tree wrapped with a quilt. I felt like it flowed a little smoother. But thank you for the video. Studying for the MCAT and this has helped tremendously!

  36. Avatar

    Michael

    August 22, 2008

    Thank you Nabi!!

  37. Avatar

    Michael

    August 22, 2008

    Thank you so much! This Erikson mnemonic has been one of my most popular. It was fun to create too. Glad it helped for your MCAT and thanks for taking the time to let me know.

  38. Avatar

    Nabi Ferra

    August 22, 2008

    Michael,

    I’m a little over my week for my mcat and have been struggling so much with these stages of development. Your video is just hilarious but it works! This isn’t the first videos of yours I’ve watched, but I just had to leave a comment after this one. Thank you so much for the help. Keep doing what you’re doing!!! We all appreciate it.

  39. Avatar

    Kylie

    August 22, 2008

    I’m a freshman in an introductory psychology class and in true procrastination fashion I waited until the last minute to start studying! This video really helped and I don’t think I will ever forget Erikson’s stages now!

    P.S. I think I laughed way too hard at the “dis pear” joke! Genius! Thanks for doing what you do!

    Kylie (Missouri)

  40. Avatar

    Michael

    August 22, 2008

    Thanks so much for your kind words. Hope the mnemonics help you get a better grade.

  41. Avatar

    Sara

    August 22, 2008

    Thanks Michael!

    This will be most helpful with my upcoming end of semester exam 🙂

    Keep up the great work. Your enthusiasm and clear explanations, make your mnemonics most easy to remember!

    Sara
    (Melbourne, Australia)

  42. Avatar

    Cassandra

    August 22, 2008

    Thank you!!

  43. Avatar

    Collin

    August 22, 2008

    Absolutely amazing, creative, and best of all memorable. Thanks a lot.

  44. Avatar

    Anna

    August 22, 2008

    Hi Michael,
    THANK YOU so much for this video! I am a nursing student and was having a hard time memorizing these developmental stages, after watching your video ONCE I got them down!! THANK YOU!

  45. Avatar

    Deepa

    August 22, 2008

    Hey Michael, I am appearing for my Learning Disability Diploma test this Saturday, I am so glad I stumbled upon this mnemonic of yours, thanks a ton.
    Deepa from Mumbai

  46. Avatar

    ness

    August 22, 2008

    Before I watched your video, I was thinking to myself “Lord… How am I going to memorize all these?” :O I’m so happy that I discovered your video. Thank you! It made me laugh SO much and helped me memorized it! You made learning so much fun. You rock!

  47. Avatar

    Kaitlyn Lavery

    August 22, 2008

    This is phenomenal ..so thankful

  48. Avatar

    Allison

    August 22, 2008

    This is great! I remember them all now! Thank you 🙂

  49. Avatar

    Michael

    August 22, 2008

    No problem. I get your reaction all the time – people don’t think it’ll work because it’s silly. Doesn’t matter how silly mnemonics are – they simply work.

  50. Avatar

    Nursing Student

    August 22, 2008

    It worked! I remember all of them now. Now I must resist giggling to myself due to my funny imagery during exams 🙂
    Thanks for this very helpful and fun video.

  51. Memorize Erikson's Stages of Developments in Less than 20 Minutes - Your Nursing Tutor

    August 22, 2008

    […] style questions, you just need to know it.  That’s why I was so excited today when I found this great video! It will help you memorize Erikson’s Eight Stages of Psychosocial development once and for […]

  52. Avatar

    Dayana

    August 22, 2008

    It would help those better to actually act it out, draw or physical activities related to the video to remember. Memorizing by experience is what helps me best and I’m sure others can find it helpful to use other helpful ways to remember other them visual or audio. It was a funny video and I know that can also help remember quite a bit. Thank you.

  53. Avatar

    Nursing Student

    August 22, 2008

    Thank you so much!! I've come across this soooo many times in my academic career
    and I just have not been able to make it stick! now desperate for help while studying for my nclex I am looking up mnemonics for basically everything and this really does work!! thank you so much for making this fun video!! wish I had found it YEARS ago! I do wish you had included the 'ages' that correlated with each stage.

  54. Avatar

    Lydia

    August 22, 2008

    Thank you so much for the help! I'm taking the NCLEX in a few hours and with everything I have to know just couldn't seem to shove Erickson's stages in there as well! Now I've got them!

  55. Avatar

    Anon

    August 22, 2008

    Thanks so much. Preparing for NCLEX, at first I was like what is this? Then I paused it and realized that I had already got half memorized just from watching! Its amazing! Wish I have known this when I was in nursing school. Genius! Thanks a bunch!

  56. Avatar

    Leigh

    August 22, 2008

    Great video! Thank you so much!

  57. Avatar

    Taryn

    August 22, 2008

    YES! Thank you so much for posting this. Yet another Nursing student here and Erickson was just not sticking in my brain.Now I’ll always remember the stages. Though I’ve heard it described before, this is the first time I’ve seen the mnemonic peg word technique used. I’ll definitely be using it from now on for those concepts that just won’t stick. “Dis Pear” and the dusty afro on the dinosaur had me cracking up!

  58. Avatar

    Sierra

    August 22, 2008

    OMG I have been trying to learn these all day and I had them all down by the end of your video. You are a life saver (I have a midterm tomorrow.) keep the videos coming!

  59. Avatar

    Olivia

    August 22, 2008

    THANK YOU so much for making this!!! Studying for the LCSW exam, and for the life of me could not get these stages down…I watched your video once, and can now name all the stages perfectly! THANK YOU again!!!!

  60. Avatar

    Michael

    August 22, 2008

    Thanks for the comments everyone! Hope you “kill” that test. Feel free to let me know if there’s some other topic that you need a mnemonic for.

  61. Avatar

    Sarah

    August 22, 2008

    I’m also a nursing major sitting here freaking out about all my exams…but this video is AMAZING!! Helps me memorize Erikson’s stages quickly and helpfully. If only I could find videos like this for all my classes…Thanks SO MUCH! 🙂

  62. Avatar

    Anum

    August 22, 2008

    Your creativity in this video made me beam!
    I remember all the stages now after watching the video just once.. And i’ve never been able to memorize the 8 stages (i’ve always thought rote learning was a waste of space!)

    Thanks! 🙂

    I hope this comes on my exam now. 🙂

  63. Avatar

    Anonymous

    August 22, 2008

    Thanks so much for this!
    I’m have a BA in Psych and could never remember these. Now I’m in nursing school and so glad I found this.
    Thanks for the help!!!

  64. Avatar

    Audra

    August 22, 2008

    I have a HUGE Theories of Personality midterm in a little over an hour and I was having the hardest time remembering all 8 stages, and in order. While the video was silly, it helped tremendously and now I will never forget these stages! Thank you so much for this!

  65. Avatar

    Melanie

    August 22, 2008

    This video was extremely helpful…I’ve got them down pat now! Thank you SO much!!! =)

  66. Avatar

    stephen

    August 22, 2008

    A bit complicated but hillarious, loved it, hope it help me 2morow. thnk.

  67. Avatar

    David

    August 22, 2008

    Wow! I have to admit, when I first started watching, I was a little skeptical, but this worked really well. I’m getting my BSN right now and I have always struggled with Erikson’s stages. The worst part is that we need them for our clinical care plans which are worth a large percentage. I can’t wait to use this in school! Thanks so much for your help, and keep up the good work!! You’re a godsend!!

  68. Avatar

    Nursing Student

    August 22, 2008

    This is SO incredibly helpful! Can you help with Pharmacology drug cards, too?? Fantastic test help! Thank you!

  69. Avatar

    Surita

    August 22, 2008

    This is the way to learn remember the stages in order for me ! Thanks for the video !

  70. Avatar

    Oddie Girl

    August 22, 2008

    This is genius!!! I wish I found this when I was in nursing school, it’s extremely helpful! I could never figure out how to memorize this before, but I really appreciate you taking the time to make this because it’ll help me when I take my nursing boards 🙂

  71. Avatar

    stundent

    August 22, 2008

    great stuff!

  72. Avatar

    Michael

    August 22, 2008

    Yup – mnemonics are pretty amazing.

  73. Avatar

    John

    August 22, 2008

    Wow! I cant believe it worked! I was laughing as I could repeat everything without notes! It really works!!!

  74. Avatar

    Tae

    August 22, 2008

    This has helped me memorized Erikson’s 8 stage in like 4 mins, how cool is that…..(Thumbs up)

  75. Avatar

    Michael

    August 22, 2008

    Don’t skip your psyc test! Go in there with a fighting attitude! Glad you liked the video 🙂

  76. Avatar

    jessssica:)

    August 22, 2008

    omg i love you thanks for making this videooo i dont have to skip my psychology testt again tomoroooow=]

  77. Avatar

    Natalie

    August 22, 2008

    Using to study for the GRE subject test, and it is helping sooo much! Thank you!

  78. Avatar

    YUP

    August 22, 2008

    I had to take the time to say thank you, since you took the time to make this awesome video. I couldn’t grasp the concept and thanks to you it finally makes sense. I’m looking at the page in my text now and thinking, how could I not understand this!!! Now I get it!!! sincere thanks from a medic and nursing student!!

  79. Avatar

    ED

    August 22, 2008

    Thank you, this was so helpful. Been putting off memorizing this one, this really helped. Awesome:)

  80. Avatar

    KRP

    August 22, 2008

    I am also a nursing student and this has helped me tremendously! This is awesome! Thank you so much!

  81. Avatar

    KK

    August 22, 2008

    I am a nursing student and OMG this helped me sooooooo much. Thank you!

  82. Avatar

    Jean

    August 22, 2008

    Studying for the Psych GRE Subject Test over here. This was so helpful, thank you for putting the time in to it! I really hope you make more of these!

  83. Avatar

    shirley

    August 22, 2008

    I have been trained in a child care field,I wish I knew this b4 writing my assignment

  84. Avatar

    Terry

    August 22, 2008

    This is really great! Thank you for taking the time to do this and share this! I was having such a difficult time trying to figure out a way to memorize these and this helped so much!

  85. Avatar

    Eleina

    August 22, 2008

    You are amazing Michael.. like… seriously.
    It really worked. HAHAHA!
    This would definitely help me on my NCLEX.

    Never knew memorizing long lists of stuffs can be sooooo entertaining! :O
    Keep it up sir! 😉

  86. Avatar

    eilish

    August 22, 2008

    Thank you so much, for the life of me I couldn’t remember erikson’s stages and exams are next week. Stumbled on your website and I can remember them all now….gonna get some funny looks rhyming to myself but I am THRILLED I found you.
    Keep up the good work
    From Ireland 🙂

  87. Avatar

    Sarah

    August 22, 2008

    The “inferiority” reminds me of “furry” because he’s furry from the dust. But thank you so much for this!

  88. Avatar

    Michael

    August 22, 2008

    Evee – I love that idea of bringing your laptop to school to show the video to your friends. Did you do it?

  89. Avatar

    Evee

    August 22, 2008

    Thanks this helped me for a nursing exam tomorrow. I cant wait to share with my fellow nursing sudents. They might thinks ive cracked under the pressure so Im going to take my labtop to school and let them watch for themselves! You are awesome Thank you!

  90. Avatar

    Edie

    August 22, 2008

    Taking NCLEX soon. I still couldn’t keep the middle stages in order after all of this time. Now I will never forget. Thank you!

  91. Avatar

    Michael

    August 22, 2008

    The “Praxis” – a nursing exam? Even the name sounds daunting. Glad the mnemonics will come in handy.

  92. Avatar

    Chantelle

    August 22, 2008

    This was so helpful and fun at the same time! Studying for the Praxis. Thank you!

  93. Avatar

    Jen

    August 22, 2008

    another nursing student here, so helpful, thank you!

  94. Avatar

    Michael

    August 22, 2008

    Thanks everybody! It gives me so much satisfaction to read how this episode has been so helpful. Guess I gotta find another topic and create some more. Thanks for the comments!

  95. Avatar

    Anonymous

    August 22, 2008

    Love this site. I really appreciate your efforts and this helps me remember these God awful stages. (studying for the lcsw exam). I laughed out loud to hear you say in the beginning, that we are going to learn these stages “once and for all.” I have been reading and re-reading the boring stages and basically falling asleep. I think I finally got it!! Thanks very much.

  96. Avatar

    Victoria

    August 22, 2008

    You are a genius for creating this mnemonic device! Thank you so much for saving me time studying these stages!

  97. Avatar

    Andrew

    August 22, 2008

    Psychology/social work student here. I found this video very helpful and I am glad I found it. 🙂 It’s always good to learn in exciting and new ways. Thank you.

    Andrew

  98. Avatar

    Andrea

    August 22, 2008

    I just tested myself and, thanks to your masterful instruction, retained all 8 stages. I am returning to university to complete a psychology degree I abandoned 40 years ago. My heartfelt thanks for making this available.

  99. Avatar

    Michael

    August 22, 2008

    I had fun making this video but never thought that it would have this much appeal. I also never realized that nursing students would find it so helpful. Thanks so much for all the feel-good comments!

  100. Avatar

    Adam

    August 22, 2008

    Thanks so much for taking the time to put this video together. I’ve been putting off learing Erikson’s stages for so long now!
    I’m studying for Royal College of Psychiatry exams in UK, and your video is going to be invaluable. Thought you might like to know that you’re influencing people across the world!

  101. Avatar

    Nicole

    August 22, 2008

    I love this!! I found a link to it on a nursing forum, and am sharing it with my tutoring students. I’ll definitely be checking out your other videos for more resources to share.

    On another note, in my “first life” I got my MA in Clinical Psychology, intended to get my PhD but life happened and I changed my mind. I went into nursing and have never regretted it, but remain very thankful for my Psych roots. Wish this site had been around when I was TA-ing for Psych!

  102. Memorize Erikson’s Stages of Developments in Less than 20 Minutes

    August 22, 2008

    […] style questions, you just need to know it.  That’s why I was so excited today when I found this great video! It will help you memorize Erikson’s Eight Stages of Psychosocial development once and for […]

  103. appsych » Blog Archive » The Final Post…

    August 22, 2008

    […] The Psych Files: website I used for the “One is bun, two is shoe mnemonic device to learn Erikson’s Stages. […]

  104. Avatar

    Jewels

    August 22, 2008

    Studying for my LSW, and i get all the developmental stages mixed up. This really helped. Just a tip to other followers:
    Stage 7: Generativity vs. Stagnation
    “The GENERATOR broke, bringing you back to our NATION” (imagine falling from heaven).

  105. Avatar

    Heather

    August 22, 2008

    Yes another nursing student who had to pass two CLEP exams. I passed both thanks to your Erikson’s video and your nice review of the brain. I imagined a smart hippo walking through campus to remember the hippocampus and memory. Very helpful.

  106. Avatar

    Michael

    August 22, 2008

    I really had no idea when I put this video together that so many people would find it not only helpful but also funny. I can see how kids especially might “run away” with the idea of taking numbers, creating rhymes and adding to the list. Sounds great. Glad everyone is finding the video useful and fun. Thanks for your comments!

  107. Avatar

    Jamie English

    August 22, 2008

    My kids watched this video with me….they now know Erikson’s stages….of course, they don’t have a full comprehension of what they are, but you pick a number and they’ll tell you what the stage is!! AND….they “get” the system and were adding things to help….like the dent in the car when the sky diver landed….the car rolled when it was dented! I love it!!

  108. Avatar

    Tawne Pauly

    August 22, 2008

    I learned Ericksons Freud and Piget within one hour by using ur system!!!!

  109. Avatar

    Anonymous

    August 22, 2008

    Thank You!!!

  110. Avatar

    D.Rodriguez

    August 22, 2008

    I’m a Human Development major. I never seem to remember the stages..but this was so helpful. I busted out laughing with the “Dis-Pear” comment and the inferior dinosaur 🙂

  111. Avatar

    Michael

    August 22, 2008

    Sharon: I’ve received a lot of emails from nursing students saying that they found the mnemonics episode on the parts of the brain helpful as well. Check it out here:

    https://thepsychfiles.com/episode-72-video-memorize-the-parts-of-the-brain/

    Thanks for linking to the video from your discussion board! Michael

  112. Avatar

    Sharon

    August 22, 2008

    I found your episode on Erikson by doing a google search on Erikson mnemonics. I am also a nursing student, and I was looking for a clever way to remember the stages. I have never used the peg technique before … Wow! Thanks so much.

    I posted a link to your video on my class discussion board. Very helpful.

  113. Avatar

    Michael

    August 22, 2008

    Sheldon: I am not familiar with “Mr. Leadfoot”, but I like your association. Mnemonics always work better when you use your own imagery. Great.

  114. Avatar

    Sheldon W. Helms

    August 22, 2008

    Rather than shoving the AUTO into the shoe, I just imagined the old Disney film about “Mr. Leadfoot” (portrayed by Goofy, of course). Half the film is his foot pushing down on the gas pedal, so it’s easy for me to associate AUTO with SHOE. : )

  115. Avatar

    Michael

    August 22, 2008

    Jonatah: glad to hear that these mnemonics were helpful. Don’t forget to check out the mnemonics I created to help students memorize the parts of the brain (https://thepsychfiles.com/episode-72-video-memorize-the-parts-of-the-brain/). I can’t guarantee to get back to you as quickly as you might need it, but let me know if there are other mnemonics you might need. Thanks for the comment! – Michael

  116. Avatar

    Jonatah

    August 22, 2008

    Wow, I got it the first time. I’m taking the winter psych into class its only 13 days long. Professors first thought shared is that we (the students) must be crazy to have put ones self in this situation, we test on ch1 and ch6 this week- know I know Eriksons stages (great!!!!). Thank You!!!!

  117. Avatar

    Lauren

    August 22, 2008

    What a HUGE help!! I have them memorized now. THANK YOU!!!!

  118. Avatar

    Michael

    August 22, 2008

    Just – mnemonics HAVE to be weird and silly in order to work. Glad they worked for you. Thanks for the comment.

  119. Avatar

    Just

    August 22, 2008

    omg i was using this to study for AP psych, and the whole time watching it I was thinking how lame it was and how it would never help me, but it helped me sooooooooo much
    thank you thank you thank you

  120. Avatar

    Michael

    August 22, 2008

    Thank you Nancy, Vickie and Joyce. Glad you enjoyed this episode. If you need more mnemonics don’t forget to check out the one on the parts of the brain. Just put “mnemonics” into the search field on the site. Thanks again for your comemnts – Michael

  121. Avatar

    joyce

    August 22, 2008

    thank you i have learned somathing from you

  122. Avatar

    Vickie

    August 22, 2008

    I’m impressed. I’m not usually into memorizing per se, but felt a little desperate since not only do I need to remember these 8 stages of psychosocial development (& their virtues), but also the 7 parts conflict theory, ID status & 3 areas of importance for my psych exam tomorrow. I’m happy to report that I have at least the 8 stages down. 🙂 Thank you for your hard work & help… now on to all the rest!

  123. Avatar

    Nancy

    August 22, 2008

    Thanks for taking the time to show us the 8 Stages in menomics. It was super fun to watch and very helpful.

  124. Avatar

    Michael

    August 22, 2008

    Glad to hear it Lauren! Thanks for the note.

  125. Avatar

    Lauren Becker

    August 22, 2008

    This helped me so much! Thank you, I am in tenth grade and in AP Psychology and I already have enough on my plate. This was actually a nice break from work and helpful. Thanks again! (:

  126. Avatar

    Matt Lawson

    August 22, 2008

    Thanks Michael,

    I just happened upon your site here even though I have been listening to your podcast for a while. Thank you so much for this mnemonic I have a test next week and the rogue memorization just isn’t my thing.

    Matt

  127. Avatar

    Michael

    August 22, 2008

    Thanks Emerson. I’ve gotten so much positive feedback to this and my other mnemonics episodes. Guess it’s time to do another one on some other part of the body, or some other hard-t0-remember theory in psychology. Hmm….

  128. Avatar

    Emerson Tay

    August 22, 2008

    Heya Michael! Thanks a lot! I’m a Nursing student in Singapore. It really helped me a lot! Rock on! =)

  129. Avatar

    Michael

    August 22, 2008

    Courtney: thanks and good luck on that test!

  130. Avatar

    Courtney

    August 22, 2008

    Thank you so much for your help!! I have a B.A. in psychology and a minor in sociology and now I am working on my masters. I’ve had many classes that cover these stages and I still can’t keep them straight! I take a huge test tomorrow and am so lucky to have found this site. Psych files is now saved to my favorites! 🙂

  131. Avatar

    Michael

    August 22, 2008

    Kay – fantastic! Congratulations! Three exam? Geez – that’s a killer. Glad you made up your own mnemonics – the ones we make ourselves can be the most powerful because only we know what will “stick” in our heads. Thanks for letting me know about your success on the tests.

  132. Avatar

    Kay

    August 22, 2008

    Hey Michael,

    just a quick update. I passed all three of my exams! I didn’t have to write anything about Erikson’s stages after all, but I had memorized a lot of other stuff I did indeed need by making up my own “mnemonic devices” — and that came in very handy.

    So, Thank You for reminding me what a great study aid mnemonics are!

  133. Avatar

    tandoosi

    August 22, 2008

    you are a champion. thank you so much for this!

  134. Avatar

    Maria

    August 22, 2008

    Thanks, Michael! I’m also studying for my nursing boards & this really helps =]
    I read your comments & they’re mostly in the nursing field! That’s awesome!
    Your video is waaaay better than memorizing the Erikson chart. =]

  135. Avatar

    Sarah

    August 22, 2008

    This video was incredibly helpful, as I am studying for my Psychology AP test which I am taking tomorrow. I find your mnemonics very helpful and your videos very entertaining. Thank you again!

  136. Avatar

    Michael

    August 22, 2008

    Kay,

    Fantastic! I’m really glad you liked this video. It was a lot of fun to make and I’m glad it’s helpful to a lot of people. Good luck on that test!

    Michael

  137. Avatar

    Kay

    August 22, 2008

    Hey,
    I’m studying for a pre-school/kindergarten teacher exam here in Germany, and I found this incredibly useful. After watching your video I tested myself right away and I was able to write out all eight stages without any difficulty at all. Thanks a lot!
    I found out some time ago that mnemonics are a great study aid, at first they seem like an awkward detour (and MORE to remember) but the system really works (as long as you conjure up bizarre enough images).

    This video made me subscribe to your podcast!

  138. Avatar

    Michael

    August 22, 2008

    Amy,

    Interesting question. Let’s see. I would change the rhyming words myself. I think it’s kinda easy to get your mnemonics mixed up, so I’d change them. One is a nun perhaps? Nuns are an easy image. Two might be tougher. Hmm….Two is a…..screw? You might want to use a rhyming dictionary to help out. Here’s one: http://www.rhymezone.com/. Have fun and let me know if you get stuck.

    Michael

  139. Avatar

    Amy

    August 22, 2008

    Thanks so much for posting your method of memorizing Erikson’s stages (and the brain). I found it to be quite valuable. I think I have finally memorized it after years of attempting to do so for this or that test. I am a nursing student and would like to apply this method to other areas, such as cranial nerves. I have a question about creating the mnemomics for the numbers that are associated (like Erikson’s stages). Should we use bun, shoe, etc. and create new images, or change the rhyming words to eliminate confusion during recall?
    Thank you for your presentations, they are gems!

  140. Avatar

    admin

    August 22, 2008

    Katherine – glad you found the episode helpful. I love your idea of the guy who dived into the car and then gets up and is confused – excellent!

    Regarding the dinosaur: I said that the dinosaur was feeling inferior because of the dust on him (which, I admit, is not the best mnemonic for the second half of this stage) – but I’m not clear: why is your dinosaur fearful?

    Thanks again for your comment!

    Michael

  141. Avatar

    Katharine S.

    August 22, 2008

    I’m so glad I stumbled across this site — as a social work student, I need to memorize not only Erikson’s stage theory, but also the parts of the brain. Your episodes about both are amazing — I watched them last night and reviewed them this morning in myhead, and I had retained almost everything!

    A suggestion, however, if you will permit. The Four is a Dinosaur — the dusty (inDUSTry) dinosaur is fearful (inFEAR-iority) to remember the second half. Also, in Five is Sky-dive, the guy falls and dents the auto (iDENTity) and then rolls off the car and is knocked around so much, he is confused (ROLL/ROLE CONFUSION).

    Those additions helped me remember the second parts to those stages.

    But your presentations are wonderful — THANK YOU Mr. Britt.

  142. Avatar

    Haley

    August 22, 2008

    I just wanted to say thanks for this episode. I have a interest in the medical and physiology field and this really speed up the process of me memorizing the 8 stages!

  143. Avatar

    Michael Britt

    August 22, 2008

    Erin – another nursing student, fantastic. Glad the episode helped.

  144. Avatar

    Erin

    August 22, 2008

    I’m also a nursing student. I used this on my last test. Thanks for the great visuals. They have really helped me.

  145. Avatar

    Michael Britt

    August 22, 2008

    Holly,

    Another nursing student on The Psych Files. Glad to hear that you found this useful. There’s more crazy and – hopefully – memorable mnemonics for additional parts of the brain on my brain mnemonics PDF. Check it out (click on the picture of Freud in the left side of the page).

    Thanks!

    Michael

  146. Avatar

    Holly

    August 22, 2008

    It was interesting to read all of your comments. I am also a nursing student trying to remember these stages… Well done, I’ve studied these many times and for what ever reason I can never remember them, I watched this once and now I’ve got it! Thanks

  147. Avatar

    Michael Britt

    August 22, 2008

    Pennie,

    Eriksons’ stages can be a pain in the neck to remember so glad to hear that this helped. Good luck on the NCLEX!

    Michael

  148. Avatar

    Pennie Clinton

    August 22, 2008

    Thank you so much. I am a graduate nurse who is preparing to take my nursing N-Clex exam. I have such a hard time remembering Erikson’s stages. This really helped. I remembered this within a matter of a few minutes. Thanks again.

  149. Avatar

    Michael Britt

    August 22, 2008

    Lisa,

    Thanks so much! It’s interesting – I’ve had a number of nursing students either leave comments or email me about how this episode and the brain mnemonics have been helpful. I didn’t anticipate this, but I’m glad to see it.

    Thanks again,

    Michael

  150. Avatar

    Lisa

    August 22, 2008

    I just wanted to tell you I am studying for my nursing boards and was struggling with trying to remember all the stages. This helped so much!!! I wanted to say it was awesome, entertaining and thank you : )

  151. The Psych Files Podcast « Cool Podcasts

    August 22, 2008

    […] something new about Psychology. Join Dr. Michael Britt on his latest Psych Files episode entitled Mnemonic Device for Erikson’s Eight Stages of Development where Dr. Britt used little fun in the peg word mnemonic device and ordinary household objects to […]

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