8 Stages in Erik Erikson’s Theory of Psychosocial Development

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Erik Erikson’s theory of psychosocial development outlines eight stages that occur throughout a person’s life, beginning in infancy and continuing into old age. Each stage is marked by a psychosocial crisis, or a conflict between two opposing psychological forces, which must be resolved in order for the individual to move on to the next stage. The eight stages are:

  1. Trust vs. Mistrust (Infancy, from birth to about 18 months): During this stage, infants develop a sense of trust or mistrust in the world based on their experiences with their caregivers.
  2. Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt (Early Childhood, from about 18 months to 3 years): During this stage, children develop a sense of independence and control over their bodies and their surroundings.
  3. Initiative vs. Guilt (Play Age, from about 3 to 5 years): During this stage, children develop a sense of purpose and direction, and begin to take initiative in their own lives.
  4. Industry vs. Inferiority (School Age, from about 6 to 12 years): During this stage, children develop a sense of competence and mastery, and begin to compare themselves to others.
  5. Identity vs. Role Confusion (Adolescence, from about 12 to 18 years): During this stage, individuals develop a sense of self and begin to explore their values and beliefs.
  6. Intimacy vs. Isolation (Early Adulthood, from about 18 to 35 years): During this stage, individuals seek to form intimate relationships and build close connections with others.
  7. Generativity vs. Stagnation (Middle Adulthood, from about 35 to 65 years): During this stage, individuals focus on contributing to the next generation and giving back to their community.
  8. Ego Integrity vs. Despair (Late Adulthood, from about 65 years and beyond): During this stage, individuals reflect on the meaning and purpose of their lives and come to terms with the inevitability of death.

According to Erikson, the resolution of each crisis is important for a person’s overall development, and failure to resolve a crisis can lead to negative outcomes, such as emotional problems or psychological disorders. However, it is also possible for individuals to revisit earlier stages and revisit earlier conflicts later in life.