Erik Erikson proposed 8 stages of psychosocial development across the lifespan. Each stage involves a psychosocial crisis between opposing forces or dispositions that shape personality. If resolved successfully, each stage leads to a psychosocial strength. The stages include Trust vs. Mistrust in infancy, Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt in early childhood, Initiative vs. Guilt in preschool years, Industry vs. Inferiority in school age years, Identity vs. Role Confusion in adolescence, Intimacy vs. Isolation in young adulthood, Generativity vs. Stagnation in middle adulthood, and Ego Integrity vs. Despair in late adulthood.

1. Erik Erikson’s 8 Stages of
Psychosocial Development
GROUP 1 • BSED 3 – 3
NSTP - LTS

2. Introduction
• Erik Erikson psychosocial
term is derived from two
source:
• Psychological – the root,
‘psycho’ relating to the
mind, brain, personality,
etc.)
• Social – external
relationships and the
environment.
These two are the heart of
Erikson’s Psychosocial
Stages of Development.

3. Introduction
Children are
not simply
biological
organisms
that endure.
Children
develop in the
context of
society’s
expectations,
prohibitions
and prejudices.
Personality is
shaped over
the life span;
experiences later
in life can heal
problems in early
childhood.
According to Erikson:
Source: https://www.erikson.edu/about/history/erik-erikson/

4. Introduction
• It is a THEORY that examines how personality was formed and
believe that the earlier stages served as a foundation for the
later stages.
• The theory also highlighted the influence of one’s
environment, particularly on how earlier experiences gradually
build upon the next and result into one’s personality.
THE EPIGENETIC PRINCIPLE – This principle suggests that
people grow in a sequence that occurs over time and in the
context of a larger community.

5. Introduction
• Each stages involves a Psychosocial Crisis of two opposing
emotional forces.
•“Contrary Dispositions”
• “Syntonic” – first-listed positive disposition in each
crisis. (e.g. Trust)
• “Dystonic” – second-listed negative dispositions in
each crisis (e.g. Mistrust)
• To signify the opposing or conflicting relationship between
each pair of forces or dispositions, Erikson connected
them with the word “versus”.

6. Introduction
If a stage is managed well, we
carry away a certain virtue or
psychosocial strength
(outcomes) which will help us
through the rest of the stages of
our lives. Successfully passing
through each crisis involves
"achieving" a healthy ratio or
balance between the two
opposing dispositions that
represent each crisis.

7. Introduction
On the other hand, if we don't do so well,
we may develop maladaptations and
malignancies, as well as endanger all our
future development.
• A malignancy is the worse of the two. It
involves too little of the positive and too
much of the negative aspect of the task,
such as a person who can't trust others.
• A maladaptation is not quite as bad and
involves too much of the positive and too
little of the negative, such as a person
who trusts too much.

8. Psychosocial Stages: A Summary Chart
Age Conflict Important Events
Virtue
(Outcome)
Infancy
(Birth to 18 months)
Trust vs. Mistrust Feeding Hope
Early Childhood
(2 to 3 years)
Autonomy vs. Shame
and Doubt
Toilet Training Will
Preschool
(3 to 5 years)
Initiative vs. Guilt Exploration Purpose
School Age
(6 to 11 years)
Industry vs. Inferiority School Confidence
Adolescence
(12 to 18 years)
Identity vs. Role
Confusion
Social Relationships Fidelity
Young Adulthood
(19 to 40 years)
Intimacy vs. Isolation Relationships Love
Middle Adulthood
(40 to 65 years)
Generativity vs.
Stagnation
Work and
Parenthood
Care
Maturity
(65 to death)
Ego Integrity vs. Despair Reflection on Life Wisdom

9. Stage 1: Trust vs. Mistrust
• The most fundamental
stage in life.
Because an infant is utterly
dependent, developing trust is
based on the dependability and
quality of the child's caregivers.
If a caregiver fails to provide
adequate care and love, the
child will come to feel that they
cannot trust or depend upon the
adults in their life.

10. Stage 1: Trust vs. Mistrust
Outcomes
• No child is going to develop a sense of 100% trust or 100% doubt.
Erikson believed that successful development was all about
striking a balance between the two opposing sides. When this
happens, children acquire hope, which Erikson described as an
openness to experience tempered by some wariness that danger
may be present.
During the first stage of psychosocial development, children develop
a sense of trust when caregivers provide reliability, care, and
affection. A lack of this will lead to mistrust.

11. Stage 2: Autonomy vs. Shame and
Doubt
The second stage of Erikson's
theory of psychosocial
development takes place
during early childhood and is
focused on children
developing a greater sense
of personal control.

12. Stage 2: Autonomy vs. Shame and
Doubt
The Role of Independence
Children are just starting to gain a
little independence. They are
starting to perform basic
actions on their own and
making simple decisions about
what they prefer. By allowing
kids to make choices and gain
control, parents and caregivers
can help children develop a
sense of autonomy.
Potty Training
The essential theme of this stage
is that children need to develop a
sense of personal control over
physical skills and a sense of
independence.
Erikson believed that learning to
control one's bodily functions
leads to a feeling of control and a
sense of independence.

13. Stage 2: Autonomy vs. Shame and
Doubt
Outcomes
• Children who struggle and who are shamed for their accidents may
be left without a sense of personal control. Success during this
stage of psychosocial development leads to feelings of
autonomy; failure results in feelings of shame and doubt.
Finding Balance
Children who successfully complete this stage feel secure and
confident, while those who do not are left with a sense of inadequacy
and self-doubt. Erikson believed that achieving a balance between
autonomy and shame and doubt would lead to will, which is the belief
that children can act with intention, within reason and limits.

14. Stage 3: Initiative vs. Guilt
The third stage of
psychosocial development
takes place during the
preschool years. At this point
in psychosocial
development, children
begin to assert their power
and control over the world
through directing play and
other social interactions.

15. Stage 3: Initiative vs. Guilt
• Child must learn to initiate tasks and conversations.
• If a parent "takes over" child will feel guilty and stop initiating.
• If this stage is not successful, this can lead to difficulty in
making decisions later in life.
• Ex. Allow them to clean up toys, make their bed, get dressed.
Outcomes
When an ideal balance of individual initiative and a willingness to work
with others is achieved, the ego quality known as purpose emerges.

16. Stage 4: Industry vs. Inferiority
The fourth psychosocial stage
takes place during the early
school years from
approximately ages 5 to 11.
Through social
interactions, children begin
to develop a sense of pride
in their accomplishments
and abilities.

17. Stage 4: Industry vs. Inferiority
- Child must feel like they are competent in something, or they will
feel inferior to others
- Find out what the child is good at it and praise him.
- Do not compare him to others, it will bread anger and jealousy in
children
Outcomes
Successfully finding a balance at this stage of psychosocial
development leads to the strength known as competence, in which
children develop a belief in their abilities to handle the tasks set before
them.

18. Stage 5: Identity vs. Confusion
The fifth stage of Erik Erikson's
theory of psychosocial
development is identity vs. role
confusion, and it occurs during
adolescence, from about 12-18
years. During this stage,
adolescents search for a sense
of self and personal identity,
through an intense exploration
of personal values, beliefs, and
goals.

19. Stage 5: Identity vs. Confusion
• Teenagers explore who they are as individuals, and seek to establish a
sense of self, and may experiment with different roles, activities, and
behaviors.
• According to Erikson, this is important to the process of forming a
strong identity and developing a sense of direction in life.
Why Identity is Important?
Our personal identity gives each of us an integrated and cohesive
sense of self that endures through our lives. Our sense if personal
identity is shaped by our experiences and interactions with others, and
it is this identity that help us guide our actions, beliefs, and behaviors
as we age. In this stage

20. Stage 5: Identity vs. Confusion
• Erikson claims that the adolescent may feel uncomfortable
about their body for a while until they can adapt and “grow into”
the changes. Success in this stage will lead to the virtue of
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

21. Stage 6: Intimacy vs. Isolation
Intimacy versus isolation is the
sixth stage of Erik Erikson's
theory of psychosocial
development. This stage takes
place during young adulthood
between the ages of
approximately 18 to 40 years
old. During this period, the
major conflict centers on
forming intimate, loving
relationships with other
people.

22. Stage 6: Intimacy vs. Isolation
• During this period, we begin to share ourselves more intimately
with others. We explore relationships leading toward longer-term
commitments with someone other than a family member.
• Successful completion of this stage can result in happy
relationships and a sense of commitment, safety, and care within a
relationship.
• Avoiding intimacy, fearing commitment and relationships can lead
to isolation, loneliness, and sometimes depression.
Outcomes
Success in this stage will lead to the virtue of love.

23. Stage 7: Generativity vs. Stagnation
40-mid 60’s (Middle Adulthood)
• Established careers
• Settled down in a relationship
• Developed a sense of being
part of the bigger picture of the
society
• Raising children
• Becoming involved in
community activities

24. Stage 7: Generativity vs. Stagnation
GENERATIVITY
“The productivity to contribute to one's family, community,
work, and society in a positive way.”
This stage marks the period where individuals acquire a genuine
concern for the welfare of the future generations, which results in
providing unselfish guidance to younger people.

25. Stage 7: Generativity vs. Stagnation
Examples of Generativity
• willingness to engage in acts (care for others)
• Promotes well-being of younger generations
(legacy)
• Encompasses productivity, creativity, and
procreativity
• “making our mark”
• Contributing to the world by being active in
their home and community (successful phase)
• Voluntariness
• Satisfied in life. Happy

26. Stage 7: Generativity vs. Stagnation
STAGNATION
“failure to find a way to contribute”
“the state of not flowing or moving.”
“lack of activity, growth, or development.”

27. Stage 7: Generativity vs. Stagnation
Examples of Stagnation
• feeling of uninvolved/disconnected in the society
• they have done nothing for the next generation
• One is only concern with one’s own needs and comfort
• Unproductive
• Self-centered, self-indulgent, lack of interest to young people
• Being self-centered (neuroticism)
• Failing to get involved with others.
• Not taking an interest in productivity.
• No efforts to improve the self.
• Placing one's concerns above all else.

28. Stage 7: Generativity vs. Stagnation
Generativity
• Making commitment to
other people
• Developing relationships
with family
• Mentoring others
• Volunteer active
Stagnation
• Self-centered
• Not interested in
productivity
• No efforts to improve the
self
Characteristics

29. Stage 8: Integrity vs. Despair
Maturity 65+ (death)
• Get older, productivity slow
down, begin to explore life as
retired individuals
• Take a look back in our lives
• What we have done
• (proud) (contentment and
integrity) little regrets (happy)

30. Stage 8: Integrity vs. Despair
Integrity
• “You live in accordance with
your deepest values, you're
honest with everyone, and
you always keep your
word”
• “The state of being whole
and undivided.”
Despair
• “The complete loss or
absence of hope”
• “The feeling of life has been
wasted (many regrets)”
• “Feeling of depression and
bitterness as they
approached death”

31. Stage 8: Integrity vs. Despair
Integrity (happy and satisfied) Despair (regretful and sad)

32. Stage 8: Integrity vs. Despair
Integrity
• Satisfied
• Happy
• Contented
• Peaceful
• Wisdom
Despair
• Unsatisfied
• Despair
• Regretful
• Bitter
• Foolishness
Characteristics

33. References:
• Cherry, K. (2022, August 3). Erikson’s Stages of Development. Verywellmind. Retrieved
September 10, 2022, from https://www.verywellmind.com/erik-eriksons-stages-of-
psychosocial-development-2795740
• Corpuz, B. et al. (2018). The Child and Adolescent Learners and Learning Principles.
LORIMAR Publishing Inc.
• Koblin, J. (2020, October 28). Erik Erikson’s 8 Stages of Psychosocial Development –
Sprouts – Learning Videos – Social Sciences. Retrieved September 13, 2022, from
https://sproutsschools.com/erikson-psychosocial-development-8-stages/
• McLeod, S. A. (2018, May 03). Erik erikson's stages of psychosocial development. Simply
Psychology. www.simplypsychology.org/Erik-Erikson.html