ERIK ERIKSON’S PSYCHOSOCIAL THEORY OF DEVELOPMENT

1. TRUST VS. MISTRUST (INFANCY)

Age Range: 0-1 year
Explanation: Infants learn to trust their caregivers if their basic needs (e.g., food,
comfort, love) are consistently met. Failure to establish trust can lead to a sense of
mistrust and insecurity.
Virtue: Hope
Maladaptation: Sensory Maladjustment (Overly trusting, even gullible, this
person cannot believe anyone would mean them harm, and will use all the defenses at
their command to find an explanation or excuse for the person who did him wrong.)
Malignancy: Withdrawal (withdrawing from social interactions)

2. AUTONOMY VS. SHAME AND DOUBT (EARLY CHILDHOOD)

Age Range: 1-3 years
Explanation: Children start to assert their independence and autonomy, exploring
their environment. Parents who are overly controlling or critical can lead to feelings of
shame and doubt in children.
Virtue: Willpower/Determination
Maladaptation: Impulsivity (acting without considering consequences)
Malignancy: Compulsion (feeling forced into certain behaviors)

3. INITIATIVE VS. GUILT (PRESCHOOL AGE)

Age Range: 3-6 years
Explanation: Children begin to take initiative in their activities and learn to plan
and set goals. If they are criticized for their efforts, they may develop feelings of guilt.
Virtue: Courage
Maladaptation:Ruthlessness (excessive aggression)
Malignancy: Inhibition (overly inhibited, fearful)

4. INDUSTRY VS. INFERIORITY (SCHOOL AGE)

Age Range: 6-11 years
Explanation: Children start to develop a sense of competence by learning new
skills and achieving success in school and other areas. Failure to do so can result
in feelings of inferiority.
Virtue: Competence
Maladaptation: Narrow Virtuosity (overemphasis on a single skill)
Malignancy: Inertia (lack of motivation)

5. IDENTITY VS. ROLE CONFUSION (ADOLESCENCE)

Age Range: 12-18 years
 Explanation: Adolescents explore their identity, including values, beliefs, and life
goals. Failure to establish a clear identity can lead to role confusion.
Virtue: Fidelity (loyalty and commitment)
Maladaptation: Fanaticism (rigidly adopting an identity)
Malignancy: Repudiation (rejecting any identity)

6. INTIMACY VS. ISOLATION (YOUNG ADULTHOOD)

Age Range: 19-40 years
Explanation: Young adults seek intimacy and meaningful relationships. Failure to
do so can result in isolation and a fear of commitment.
Virtue: Love
Maladaptation:Promiscuity (referring particularly to the tendency to become
intimate too freely, too easily, and without any depth to your intimacy)
Malignancy:Exclusivity (avoiding intimacy)

7. GENERATIVITY VS. STAGNATION (MIDDLE ADULTHOOD)

Age Range: 40-65 years
Explanation: Adults focus on contributing to the well-being of future generations
and finding purpose. Failure to do so can lead to a sense of
stagnation.
Virtue: Care
Maladaptation: Overextension (overcommitment)
Malignancy: Rejectivity (avoiding responsibility)

8. INTEGRITY VS. DESPAIR (LATE ADULTHOOD)

Age Range: 65+
Explanation: Older adults reflect on their lives and seek to find meaning and
satisfaction. Failing to do so can result in feelings of despair and regret.
Virtue: Wisdom
Maladaptation: Presumption (assumed wisdom without reflection)
Malignancy: Despair (bitterness and hopelessness)