Erikson's Psychosocial Stages of Development

Psychosocial Development

Theory that individuals progress through a series of stages, each characterized by a specific conflict that contribute to a major part of personality.

Stage 1: Trust & Mistrust

• Age Range: Birth - 1 Yrs

• Key Focus: Development of Trust

• Developmental Task: Infants learn whether they can trust their caregiver and the world to meet their basic needs

• Achieved Through: Consistent and reliable care and affection

Stage 2: Autonomy and Shame & Doubt Stage

• Age Range: 1-3 Yrs

• Development of personal control and some degree of choice

• Task: Toddlers seek to do things on their own

• Achieved Through: Encouragement and freedom to explore

• Positive: Self-sufficiency & confidence

• Negative: Feelings of shame & doubt

Stage 3: Initiative & Guilt Stage

• Age Range: 3-6 Yrs

• Key Focus: Development of initiative

• Task: Children begin to initiate actions and make decisions

• Achieved through: Encouragement of independent activity

• Positive: Sense of leadership and ambition; Courage to pursue goals

• Negative: Burden of guilt when failing or overstepping (when criticized by caregivers)

Stage 4: Industry and Inferiority Stage

• Age Range: 6 - puberty

• Key Focus: Building skills (competence) & cognitive abilities for task completion

• Task: Children aim to demonstrate skills and abilities

• Achieved through: Reinforcement in school and play

• Positive: Mastery + self-confidence

• Negative: Feelings of failure + inadequacy

Stage 5: Identity and Role Confusion Stage

• Age Range: Teens - 20 Yrs

• Key Focus: Forming identity and self-image

• Task: Teenagers explore and solidify their sense of self

• Achieved through: Experimentation with roles and identities

• Positive: Well-defined personal identity

• Negative: Confusion about personal identity and future roles

Stage 6: Intimacy and Isolation Stage

• Age Range: 20’s - 40 Yrs

• Key Focus: Establishing connections

• Task: Adults seek to form close, committed relationships

• Achieved through: Deepening relationships beyond oneself

• Positive: Meaningful relationships and commitments

• Negative: Loneliness and emotional isolation

Stage 7: Generativity and Stagnation Stage

• Age Range: 40-60 Yrs

• Key Focus: Nurture the next generation

• Task: Adults aim to contribute to the well-being of the next generation

• Achieved through: Parenting, mentoring, and productivity

• Positive: Sense of care and achievement

• Negative: Sense of stagnation and disconnection

Stage 8: Integrity & Despair Stage

• Age Range: Late 60s and up

• Key Focus: Reflecting on life

• Task: Elders look back on life achievements and regrets

• Achieved through: Life review and acceptance

• Positive: Wisdom and satisfaction

• Negative: Regret and despair