Erik Erikson proposed a theory of psychosocial development consisting of 8 stages from infancy to late adulthood. At each stage, individuals face a psychosocial crisis that influences their development. Successful resolution of each crisis leads to a healthy personality and basic virtue. The stages include: trust vs mistrust (infancy), autonomy vs shame (toddler), initiative vs guilt (preschool), industry vs inferiority (school age), identity vs role confusion (adolescence), intimacy vs isolation (young adulthood), generativity vs stagnation (middle adulthood), and ego integrity vs despair (late adulthood). Erikson's theory emphasizes the role of culture and social relationships in personality development throughout the lifespan.

1. Erik Erikson’s
Theory:Theory of Psychosocial Stages

2. Introduction
 Erik Erikson was an ego psychologist.
 He emphasized the role of culture and
society and the conflicts that can take
place within the ego itself.
 Erik Erikson maintained that
personality develops in a
predetermined order, and builds upon
each previous stage. This is called the
epigenic principle.

3. Psychosocial Stages
 He assumes that crisis occurs at each
stage of development and they are of
the psychosocial nature.
 Successful completion of each stage
leads to a healthy personality and
acquisition of basic virtues.
 Failure to complete the stage
successfully can lead to inhibition in
completion of other stage and an
unhealthy personality.

5. Trust vs. Mistrust
 This is stage takes place during the first
year of life or so.
 The infant looks towards the caregiver
for stability as he/she is unaware of the
world.
 If the infant receives care which is
reliable and consistent then a sense of
trust is available and in harsh and
inconsistent care, mistrust is developed.
 Success in this stage will lead to a virtue
of hope.

6. Autonomy vs. Shame
 This is a stage which lasts between the ages of
18months and three.
 The child learns to play with toys, wear their
clothes themselves etc. thus discovering their
skills and attaining independence and
autonomy.
 If the children are encouraged in this stage,
they become confident and secure in their
ability.
 If they are discouraged, they lack self-esteem
and feel a sense of shame.
 Success in this stage will lead to the virtue of
will.

7. Initiative vs. Guilt
 This is a stage around the ages three
continuing to five where children assert
themselves more frequently.
 Children make friends, plan activities
allowing them to develop a sense of initiative
and developing their abilities to lead others.
 If the children are criticized or controlled they
make become followers and develop a sense
of guilt and may feel like a nuisance to others.
 Success in this stage will lead to a virtue of
purpose.

8. Industry(competence)
vs. Inferiority
 Children are aged 5 to 12 years in this stage
and are learning to read, write, do sums etc.
 The child’s peer group creates a significant
source of the child’s self esteem.
 If they are encouraged for their initiative they
feel industrious and competent to achieve
their goals.
 If the opposite happens, they begin to feel
inferior and doubt their own abilities and not
reach their potential.
 Success in this stage will lead to competence.

9. Ego Identity vs. Role
Confusion
 This is a stage during adolescence i.e. age 12-
18 years.
 Children begin to look at future in terms of
career, relationships, family etc. the
adolescent re-examines their identity to
figure out what their who he/she is.
 He says that the adolescent may feel
uncomfortable about their body till until they
can adapt the changes.
 Role confusion involves the individual not
being sure about themselves or their place in
society.
 Success in this stage will lead to the virtue of
fidelity.

11. Intimacy vs. Isolation
 This stage occurs during young
adulthood i.e. ages 18-40years where we
begin to share ourselves more intimately
with others.
 Successful completion in this stage can
lead to a comfortable relationship, a
sense of commitment, safety and care
etc.
 Avoiding this can lead to isolation,
loneliness and sometimes depression.
 Success in this stage will lead to the
virtue of love.

12. Generativity vs.
Stagnation
 This stage occurs during middle
adulthood i.e. ages 40-65years.
 We establish a career, develop
relationships, begin families etc.
 We give back to society by raising our
children, being productive at work,
and becoming involved in community
service etc.
 Success in this stage will lead to the
virtue of care.

13. Ego Integrity vs. Despair
 This occurs at the age of 65+ where we
become senior citizens and we tend to slow
down our productivity and explore life as a
retired person.
 If we see our life as productive, successful we
are able to develop integrity.
 If we see our lives unhappy and are
dissatisfied with the goals we have achieved,
we develop despair, hopelessness and can
become depressed.
 Success in this stage leads to the virtue
wisdom.

14. Strengths of the Theory Limitations of the Theory
 It provides a broad
framework which shows
the development
throughout the entire
lifespan.
 It also allows us to
emphasize the social
nature of human beings
and the important
influence that social
relationships have on
development.
 He is vague about the
causes of development.
 Erikson does not
explicitly explain how the
outcome of one
psychosocial stages
influence personality at a
later stage.
 The theory fails to detail
exactly what type of
experiences are
necessary at each stage in
order to successfully
resolve the conflicts and
move to the next stage.

15. Thank you!