Erikson's Psychosocial Stages Summary Chart

Erikson's Stages of Psychosocial Development

Stage Basic Conflict Important Events Outcome

Infancy The conflict is between The important event is the Children develop a
(birth to 18 developing a sense of trust consistency and sense of trust when
months) in the world and others or responsiveness of the caregivers provide
mistrust. primary caregiver in meeting reliability, care, and
the infant's needs. affection.

Early The conflict is between The important event is the Children need to
Childhood developing a sense of child's ability to assert their develop a sense of
(2 to 3 autonomy and independence, such as potty personal control over
years) independence or feeling training or dressing physical skills and a
shame and doubt. themselves sense of
independence.
Success leads to
feelings of autonomy,
failure results in
feelings of shame and
doubt.

Preschool The conflict is between
(3 to 5 developing a sense of
years) purpose and initiative or
feeling guilty for their
actions.
School Age The conflict is between
(6 to 11 developing a sense of
years) competence and industry
or feeling inferior
compared to others
The important event is the Children need to
child's ability to take begin asserting
initiative and make choices, control and power
such as planning a game or over the
starting a project. environment. Success
in this stage leads to
a sense of purpose.
Children who try to
exert too much
power experience
disapproval, resulting
in a sense of guilt.
The important event is the Children need to cope
child's performance in school with new social and
and the development of new academic demands.
skills and abilities Success leads to a
sense of competence,
while failure results in
feelings of inferiority.
Adolescence The conflict is between
(12 to 18 exploring one's sense of adolescent's exploration of
years) self and finding one's place different values, beliefs, and
in the world or relationships
experiencing confusion
about one's identity and
role.
The conflict is between
striving for intimacy and
close relationships or
Young feeling isolated and alone.
Adulthood
(19 to 40
years)
Middle The conflict is between
Adulthood contributing to society and
(40 to 65 the next generation or
years) feeling stuck in a rut.
Maturity The conflict is between
(65 to reflecting on the meaning
death) and purpose of one's life
and feeling a sense of
fulfillment or experiencing
despair if one feels they've
failed to fulfill their
potential.
The important event is the Teens need to
develop a sense of
self and personal
identity. Success
leads to an ability to
stay true to yourself,
while failure leads to
role confusion and a
weak sense of self.
The important event is the Young adults need to
young adult's ability to form form intimate, loving
intimate relationships, such relationships with
as romantic partnerships and other people. Success
close friendships. leads to strong
relationships, while
failure results in
loneliness and
isolation.
The important event is the Adults need to create
middle-aged adult's ability to or nurture things that
make a positive impact on will outlast them,
others, such as through often by having
work, parenting, or children or creating a
community involvement. positive change that
benefits other people.
Success leads to
feelings of usefulness
and accomplishment,
while failure results in
shallow involvement
in the world.
The important event is the Older adults need to
older adult's ability to look look back on life and
back on their life with a feel a sense of
sense of pride and fulfillment. Success
satisfaction or feelings of at this stage leads to
regret. feelings of wisdom,
while failure results in
regret, bitterness,
and despair.