Eriksons Stages and Virtues

Trust vs. Mistrust

Stage 1; Basic virtue: hope. If the care the infant receives is consistent, predictable and reliable, they will develop a sense of trust which will carry with them to other relationships, and they will be able to feel secure even when threatened.

0-18 mo

Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt

Stage 2; Basic virtue: will. Erikson states it is critical that parents allow their children to explore the limits of their abilities within an encouraging environment which is tolerant of failure. The aim has to be "self control without a loss of self-esteem" (Gross, 1992).

18 mo - 3 y

Initiative vs. Guilt

Stage 3; Basic virtue: purpose. During this period the primary feature involves the child regularly interacting with other children at school. Central to this stage is play, as it provides children with the opportunity to explore their interpersonal skills through initiating activities.

3-5 y

Industry vs. Inferiority

Stage 4; Basic virtue: competence. The child now feels the need to win approval by demonstrating specific competencies that are valued by society and begins to develop a sense of pride in their accomplishments.

5-13 y

Identity vs. Role Confusion

Stage 5; Basic virtue: fidelity (Fidelity involves being able to commit one's self to others on the basis of accepting others, even when there may be ideological differences.). During this stage, adolescents search for a sense of self and personal identity, through an intense exploration of personal values, beliefs, and goals. This is a major stage of development where the child has to learn the roles he will occupy as an adult. It is during this stage that the adolescent will re-examine his identity and try to find out exactly who he or she is. Erikson suggests that two identities are involved: the sexual and the occupational.

13-21 y

Intimacy vs. Isolation

Stage 6; Basic virtue: love. During this period, the major conflict centers on forming intimate, loving relationships with other people. We begin to share ourselves more intimately with others, and explore relationships leading toward longer-term commitments with someone other than a family member.

21-39 y

Generativity vs. Stagnation

Stage 7; Basic virtue: care. Generativity refers to "making your mark" on the world through creating or nurturing things that will outlast an individual.

40-65 y

Integrity vs. Despair

Stage 8; Basic virtue: wisdom. Erikson described ego integrity as "the acceptance of one's one and only life cycle as something that had to be" (1950, p. 268) and later as "a sense of coherence and wholeness" (1982, p. 65). It is during this time that we contemplate our accomplishments and can develop integrity if we see ourselves as leading a successful life. Late life is characterized by both integrity and despair as alternating states that need to be balanced.

65+