Erik Erikson's Stages of

Psychosocial Development
Erikson maintained that personality develops in a predetermined order through eight stages of
psychosocial development, from infancy to adulthood. During each stage, the person
experiences a psychosocial crisis which could have a positive or negative outcome for
personality development. According to the theory, successful completion of each stage results in a
healthy personality and the acquisition of basic virtues. Basic virtues are characteristic strengths which
the ego can use to resolve subsequent crises.

Failure to successfully complete a stage can result in a reduced ability to complete further stages and
therefore a more unhealthy personality and sense of self. These stages, however, can be resolved
successfully at a later time.

Trust vs. Mistrust

= for example If the parents dependable at showing affection, the infant's will have trust, but if the
parents neglect the infant, the infant will develop mistrust.
Autonomy vs. Shame & doubt

= for example a child picks his/her clothes he/she wants to wear and wear it herself/himself

Initiative vs. guilt

= For example, a child may choose the roles for themselves or others within a game

Industry vs. inferiority

= Imagine two children in the same 4th-grade class. Olivia finds science lessons difficult, but her
parents are willing to help her each night with her homework.

Identity vs. role confusion

= adolescents who are exerting more independence through defiant or rebellious actions and testing
limits and boundaries such as purposely exceeding curfews, failing to complete homework or chores, or
dressing or acting in a way as they like.

Intimacy vs. isolation

= for example a young adult (girl. Boy) enter a relationship/ friendship to test and learn compromise
independent and responsibility.

Generally vs. stagnation

= for example my mother likes to guide my nephew’s whener they want to do something that they can’t
do.

Integrity vs. despair

= for example my grandfather regrets that he didn’t achieve his dream to become a police man.