Erikson's Psychosocial Stages of Development

Study Notes

Overview

Erik Erikson's psychosocial stages of development is a theory that proposes eight stages of development from infancy to old age. Each stage represents a unique psychosocial crisis that must be resolved in order to achieve healthy development.

The Eight Stages

1. Trust vs. Mistrust (Infancy, 0-1 year)

Develops a sense of trust when caregivers provide consistent and reliable care
Failure to develop trust can lead to mistrust and anxiety

2. Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt (Toddlerhood, 1-3 years)

Develops a sense of autonomy through exploration and decision-making
Failure to develop autonomy can lead to feelings of shame and doubt

3. Initiative vs. Guilt (Preschool, 3-6 years)

Develops a sense of initiative through taking on responsibilities and making choices
Failure to develop initiative can lead to feelings of guilt and inadequacy

4. Industry vs. Inferiority (School age, 6-12 years)

Develops a sense of industry through learning new skills and achieving success
Failure to develop industry can lead to feelings of inferiority and inadequacy

5. Identity vs. Role Confusion (Adolescence, 12-18 years)

Develops a sense of identity through exploration of roles and relationships
Failure to develop identity can lead to role confusion and uncertainty

6. Intimacy vs. Isolation (Young Adulthood, 18-40 years)

Develops a sense of intimacy through forming close relationships and building connections
Failure to develop intimacy can lead to feelings of isolation and loneliness

7. Generativity vs. Stagnation (Middle Adulthood, 40-65 years)

Develops a sense of generativity through contributing to society and leaving a legacy
Failure to develop generativity can lead to feelings of stagnation and boredom

8. Integrity vs. Despair (Late Adulthood, 65+ years)

Develops a sense of integrity through reflecting on life and feeling a sense of accomplishment
Failure to develop integrity can lead to feelings of despair and regret

Erikson's Psychosocial Stages of Development

Erikson's theory proposes eight stages of development from infancy to old age
Each stage represents a unique psychosocial crisis that must be resolved for healthy development

The Eight Stages

Trust vs. Mistrust

Develops trust when caregivers provide consistent and reliable care (0-1 year)
Failure to develop trust leads to mistrust and anxiety

Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt

Develops autonomy through exploration and decision-making (1-3 years)
Failure to develop autonomy leads to feelings of shame and doubt

Initiative vs. Guilt

Develops initiative through taking on responsibilities and making choices (3-6 years)
Failure to develop initiative leads to feelings of guilt and inadequacy

Industry vs. Inferiority

Develops industry through learning new skills and achieving success (6-12 years)
Failure to develop industry leads to feelings of inferiority and inadequacy

Identity vs. Role Confusion

Develops identity through exploration of roles and relationships (12-18 years)
Failure to develop identity leads to role confusion and uncertainty

Intimacy vs. Isolation

Develops intimacy through forming close relationships and building connections (18-40 years)
Failure to develop intimacy leads to feelings of isolation and loneliness

Generativity vs. Stagnation

Develops generativity through contributing to society and leaving a legacy (40-65 years)
Failure to develop generativity leads to feelings of stagnation and boredom

Integrity vs. Despair

Develops integrity through reflecting on life and feeling a sense of accomplishment (65+ years)
Failure to develop integrity leads to feelings of despair and regret