Erik Erikson proposed 8 stages of psychosocial development across the lifespan: 1. Trust vs. Mistrust (infancy): developing trust in caregivers for stability and consistency of care. 2. Autonomy vs. Shame (early childhood): focusing on independence and physical skills while learning self-control. 3. Initiative vs. Guilt (preschool): beginning to interact with others through play and activities while parents monitor aggression. 4. Industry vs. Inferiority (school-age): learning skills like reading and peer relationships become important for pride and competency.

1. Erik Erikson’s Stages of
Psychosocial Development
Alexis Little

2. Trust vs. Mistrust
• Stage 1
• Virtue: HOPE
• Age: 0- 1 ½
• Infant is uncertain about the world
• Looks towards their primary caregiver for stability and consistency of
care
• Success in the trust vs. mistrust stage leads to HOPE
• Relational focus: mother and other caregiver(s)
• Important events: feeding

3. Autonomy vs. Shame
• Stage 2
• Virtue: Will
• Age: 1 ½- 3
• Children are focused on developing a sense of control over sense of
independence and physical skills
• During this stage, kids find their own ability and learn they have skills
(such as putting on their clothes/shoes, walking, and even deciding
what they want to wear)
• Relational focus: parents
• Important events: potty training

4. Initiative vs. Guilt
• Stage 3
• Virtue: Purpose
• Age: 3-5
• A “Time of Vigor Of Action and of Behaviors That The Parents May
See As Aggressive”
• Children begin interacting with others and engaging in activities
• Relational focus: Basic family
• Important events: Exploration

5. Industry vs. Inferiority
• Stage 4
• Virtue: Competency
• Age: 5-12
• The age at which children will begin to learn to read and write
• A child’s peer group become a significance source of the child’s pride
• Relational focus: Neighborhood; school
• Important events: School

6. Identity vs. Role Confusion
• Stage 5
• Virtue: Fidelity
• Age: 12-18
• During this stage, teens search for identity through exploration
• Transition from childhood to adulthood
• Teens become more independent and start looking into their future
• Relational focus: Peer groups
• Important relationships: Social Relationships

7. Intimacy vs. Isolation
• Stage 6
• Age: 18-40
• Virtue: Love
• During this stage, forming relationships is the major conflict
• Success can result in a sense of commitment and a healthy
relationship
• Relational focus: Partners in friendship
• Important Relationships: Relationships

8. Generality vs. Stagnation
• Stage: 7
• Age: 40-65
• Virtue: Care
• “Making Your Mark”
• A need to nurture and take care of things outlive them
• Relational focus: Shared household
• Important Events: Work and Parenthood

9. Ego Integrity vs. Despair
• Stage: 8
• Age: 65+
• Virtue: Wisdom
• We reward our accomplishments and develop integrity and honesty
• “The acceptance of one’s one and only life cycle as something that
had to be”
• Relational focus: Humankind
• Important Events: Reflection on Life