Erikson's Psychosocial Stages of Development

Psychosocial Stages of Development

Erik Erikson's theory proposes that individuals go through eight stages of development, each with a unique psychosocial crisis that must be resolved.

Stage 1: Trust vs. Mistrust (0-1 year)

• Development of trust when needs are met consistently
• Mistrust when needs are neglected or inconsistent

Stage 2: Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt (1-3 years)

• Development of autonomy when encouraged to explore and make decisions
• Shame and doubt when overly restricted or criticized

Stage 3: Initiative vs. Guilt (3-6 years)

• Development of initiative when encouraged to take on tasks and make decisions
• Guilt when discouraged or punished for taking initiative

Stage 4: Industry vs. Inferiority (6-12 years)

• Development of industry when encouraged to develop skills and accomplish tasks
• Inferiority when unable to meet expectations or feeling incompetent

Stage 5: Identity vs. Role Confusion (12-18 years)

• Development of identity when exploring roles and interests
• Role confusion when unsure of identity or feeling pressured to conform

Stage 6: Intimacy vs. Isolation (18-40 years)

• Development of intimacy when forming close relationships
• Isolation when unable to form meaningful relationships

Stage 7: Generativity vs. Stagnation (40-65 years)

• Development of generativity when contributing to society and guiding others
• Stagnation when feeling unproductive or disconnected from society

Stage 8: Integrity vs. Despair (65+ years)

• Development of integrity when reflecting on life with a sense of accomplishment
• Despair when feeling regret or disappointment about life choices

Psychosocial Stages of Development

Stage 1: Trust vs. Mistrust (0-1 year)

• Trust develops when caregivers consistently meet the infant's needs
• Mistrust occurs when needs are neglected or inconsistently met

Stage 2: Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt (1-3 years)

• Autonomy emerges when children are encouraged to explore and make decisions
• Shame and doubt develop when children are overly restricted or criticized

Stage 3: Initiative vs. Guilt (3-6 years)

• Initiative develops when children are encouraged to take on tasks and make decisions
• Guilt occurs when children are discouraged or punished for taking initiative

Stage 4: Industry vs. Inferiority (6-12 years)

• Industry develops when children are encouraged to develop skills and accomplish tasks
• Inferiority complex emerges when children feel they are unable to meet expectations or feel incompetent

Stage 5: Identity vs. Role Confusion (12-18 years)

• Identity forms when adolescents explore roles and interests
• Role confusion occurs when adolescents are unsure of their identity or feel pressured to conform

Stage 6: Intimacy vs. Isolation (18-40 years)

• Intimacy develops when young adults form close relationships
• Isolation occurs when young adults are unable to form meaningful relationships

Stage 7: Generativity vs. Stagnation (40-65 years)

• Generativity develops when middle-aged adults contribute to society and guide others
• Stagnation emerges when middle-aged adults feel unproductive or disconnected from society

Stage 8: Integrity vs. Despair (65+ years)

• Integrity develops when older adults reflect on their life with a sense of accomplishment
• Despair occurs when older adults feel regret or disappointment about their life choices