Erik Erikson proposed eight stages of psychosocial development that occur throughout the lifespan. Each stage is characterized by a conflict between positive and negative outcomes. For example, the first stage occurs in infancy and the conflict is between trust versus mistrust, depending on whether an infant's needs are reliably met. Erikson believed that how these conflicts are resolved at each stage influences personality development. The document provides details on Erikson's theory and the conflicts that characterize each of the eight stages of development.