Erik Erikson's theory of psychosocial development

Intimacy (birth to 1 year)- Trust vs. mistrust

If needs are dependably met, infant develop sense of basis trust.

Toddlerhood (1 to 3 years)- Autonomy vs. shame and doubt

Toddlers learn to exercise their will and do things for themselves, or they doubt their abilities.

Preschool (3 to 6 years)- Initiative vs. guilt

Preschoolers learn to initiate tasks and carry out plans, or they feel guilty about their efforts to be dependent.

Elementary school (6 years to puberty)- competence vs. inferiority

Children learn the pleasure of applying themselves to tasks, or they feel inferior in their abilities compared to others.

Adolescence (teen years into 20s)- Identity vs. role confusion

Teenagers work at refining a sense of self by testing roles and then integrating them to form a single identity, or they become confused about who they are.

Young adulthood (20s years to early 40s)- Intimacy vs. isolation

Young adults struggle to form close relationships and to gain the capacity for intimate love, or they feel socially isolated.

Middle adulthood (40s to 60s)- Generativity vs. stagnation

Middle-aged people discover a sense of contributing to the world, usually through family and work, or they may feel a lack of purpose.

Late adulthood (late 60s and up)- Integrity vs. despair

Reflecting on their lives, older adults may feel a sense of satisfaction or failure.