Erik Erikson's 8 stages of psychosocial development describe how social and emotional development occurs throughout the human lifespan. The stages are: 1. Infancy (Trust vs. Mistrust) - Developing trust in caregivers. 2. Early Childhood (Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt) - Gaining independence and self-control. 3. Preschool Years (Initiative vs. Guilt) - Acting on plans and distinguishing right from wrong. 4. Grammar School Years (Industry vs. Inferiority) - Developing skills and sense of competence. 5. Adolescence (Identity vs. Role Confusion) - Forming identity

1. Erik Erikson’s 8 Psychosocial
Stages of Development
LaMour Gregg & Emily Wold

2. Sticky Time!
Decide as a team what age group each of your sticky notes fits best under.
You can move around your team’s sticky notes as you go.
Why did you place them where you did?
How did you do?

4. Infancy (0-1yr.): Trust vs. Mistrust
Coming to trust the mother and the environment -- to
associate surroundings with feelings of inner
goodness.
Security & Affection:
Success leads to trusting their parents love and
affection
Failure leads to viewing the world as inconsistent and
unpredictable

5. Early Childhood (2-3yrs.): Autonomy vs. Shame & Doubt
Developing the wish to make choices and the
self-control to exercise choice
Budding Independence:
Success leads to taking on new tasks, and pride
in doing things independently.
Failure leads to doubting their ability to do
things on their own.

6. Preschool Years (4-5yrs.): Initiative vs. Guilt
Adding planning and “attacking” to choice;
becoming active and on the move
Independence:
Success leads to planning tasks and learning
the difference between right and wrong
behaviors.
Failure to acquire the skills of this stage leads
to guilt, self-doubt and lack of initiative.

7. Grammar School Years (6-12yrs.): Industry vs.
Inferiority
Becoming eagerly absorbed in skills, tasks, and productivity;
mastering the fundamentals of technology
Competency:
Success leads to a better sense of pride & work
Failure leads to doubting of their abilities
What they need:
Positive reinforcement & encouragement

8. Adolescence (13-18yrs.): Identity vs. Role
Diffusion
Connecting skills and social roles to formation
of career objectives
Who am I?
Success leads to a solid sense of self,
values, morals and role in society
Failure leads to confusion about who they
are and where they fit in

9. Young Adulthood (19-30): Intimacy vs. Isolation
Committing the self to another; engaging in
sexual love/romantic relationships
Relationships:
Success leads to comfortable relationships
with commitment, care and safety
Failure leads to loneliness and fear of close
relationships or commitment

10. Middle Adulthood: Generativity vs. Stagnation
Needing to be needed; guiding and
encouraging the younger generation; being
creative
Contribution:
Success is measured in what they have contributed
to their work, society, community and family
(generativity)
Failure is measured in their lack of contributions

11. Late Adulthood: Integrity vs. Despair
Accepting the timing and placing of one’s own life cycle; achieving wisdom and
dignity
Assess life’s worth:
Success leads to wisdom
Failure leads to bitterness and regret
What they need:
To look back on life and feel a sense of fulfillment

12. Next up!
In your groups:
Come up with a real-life example of the stage you are assigned
Create/illustrate a comic or visual representation of the example

13. Before you go...
In your groups, explain to the class:
What is your example?
How does the comic/picture represent that stage?
Why did you pick that example?