LCS Lesson 1 - Week 1: Erikson's Eight Stages (Vocabulary Flashcards)

Vocabulary flashcards covering Erikson's eight stages of psychosocial development.

Stage 1: Trust vs. Mistrust (0–2 years)

Central conflict: Can I trust the world around me? Successful resolution: develops Trust in a predictable world; virtue: Hope. Unsuccessful resolution: mistrust, hostility, and difficulty forming healthy attachments.

Stage 2: Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt (2–4 years)

Central conflict: Can I do things by myself, or do I need help? Successful resolution: Will, a sense of self-control and adequacy. Unsuccessful resolution: Shame and doubt, feeling inadequate and unable to assert oneself.

Stage 3: Initiative vs. Guilt (4–5 years)

Central conflict: Can I plan and carry out activities, or will I be made to feel bad for trying? Successful resolution: Purpose, the ability to initiate activities and make decisions. Unsuccessful resolution: Guilt, inhibiting creativity, reluctance to take risks, and a tendency to 'follow'.

Stage 4: Industry vs. Inferiority (5–12 years)

Central conflict: Can I be competent and successful in comparison to my peers, or am I inadequate? Successful resolution: Competence, a belief in one's own abilities. Unsuccessful resolution: Feelings of inferiority, lack of support after frequent failures, doubting one's abilities, low self-esteem, and withdrawal from activities.

Stage 5: Identity vs. Role Confusion (13–19 years)

Central conflict: Who am I? Where do I fit in? Successful resolution: Forms a strong, coherent sense of self, developing Fidelity. Unsuccessful resolution: Confusion about identity, indecisiveness about the future, may adopt a negative identity.

Stage 6: Intimacy vs. Isolation (20–40 years)

Central conflict: Can I form a true relationship with another person without losing myself, or will I be unable to connect deeply? Successful resolution: Develops Love, the ability to form deep, committed relationships. Unsuccessful resolution: Avoidance of deep connections, overemphasis on independence, superficial relationships, and feelings of emptiness.

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

Central conflict: Can I contribute something meaningful to the world and future generations, or will I become self-absorbed and unproductive? Successful resolution: Develops Care, a sense of contribution to society and future generations. Unsuccessful resolution: Stagnation, indifference to the next generation or society, lack of purpose, and the belief that life has no lasting impact.

Stage 8: Integrity vs. Despair (65 years to death)

Central conflict: Was life meaningful and worthwhile, or do I have regrets about the choices I've made? Successful resolution: Develops Wisdom, a sense of wholeness and contentment with life. Unsuccessful resolution: Despair, regretting missed opportunities, believing life was wasted, fear of death, and feeling helpless.