Erikson's Stages of Psycholosocial Development

Trust vs. Mistrust age range

0-18 months

trust vs. mistrust core question

can I trust the world?

trust vs. mistrust virture

hope

trust vs. mistrust focus

reliance on caregivers for safety and consistency

trust vs. mistrust clues

secure infants seek comfort; anxious ones resist or cry excssively

autonomy vs shame/doubt age range

18 months - 3 years

autonomy vs shame/doubt core question

can I do things myself?

autonomy vs. shame/doubt virture

will

autonomy vs. shame/doubt focus

developing independence in walking, toileting, choosing

autonomy vs. shame/doubt clues

toddlers insist “I do it!” or hide after accidents

initiative vs guilt age range

3-6 years

initiative vs guilt core question

is it okay for me to do things

initiative vs guilt virture

purpose

initiative vs guilt focus

initiating play, asking questions, imagining roles

initiative vs guilt clues

child leads games or withdraws after being scolded

industry vs inferiority age range

6-12 years

industry vs inferiority core question

can I be good at things?

industry vs inferiority virture

competence

industry vs inferiority focus

mastering skills, comparing with peers, seeking praise

industry vs. inferiority clues

students beams after success - or shuts down after criticism

identity vs role confusion age range

12-18 years

identity vs role confusion core question

who am I?

identity vs role confusion virture

fidelity

identity vs role confusion focus

exploring values, beliefs, roles and self-concept

identity vs role confusion clues

teen experiments with style, beliefs, or withdraws in confusion

intimacy vs isolation age range

18-40 years

intimacy vs isolation core question

can I love and be loved?

intimacy vs isolation virtue 

love

intimacy vs isolation focus

forming deep relationships, balancing independence and connection

intimacy vs isolation clues

young adult seeks closeness or avoids vulnerability

generatively vs stagnation age range

40-65 years

generatively vs stagnation core question

can I make my life count?

generatively vs stagnation virture 

care

Generatively vs stagnation focus

contributing to society, mentoring, creating legacy

generatively vs stagnation clues

adult volunteers, mentors - or feels stuck and disengaged

integrity vs despair age range

65+ years

integrity vs despair core question

was my life meaningful?

integrity vs despair virtue 

wisdom

integrity vs. despair focus

reflecting on life, accepting mortality, sharing stories

integrity vs. despair clues

elder shares memories - or expresses regret and bitterness