Erikson’s 8 Stages of Psychosocial Development
Erikson’s psychosocial stages of development focus on the
resolution of different crises to become a successful,
complete person.
LEARNING OBJECTIVE
Summarize Erikson’s stages of psychosocial development
KEY POINTS
o Erik Erikson (1902–1994) was a stage theorist who took Freud’s
controversial psychosexual theory and modified it into an eight-
stage psychosocial theory of development.
o During each of Erikson’s eight development stages, two conflicting ideas must be
resolved successfully in order for a person to become a confident, contributing
member of society. Failure to master these tasks leads to feelings of inadequacy.
o Erikson’s eight stages of psychosocial development include trust vs.
mistrust, autonomy vs. shame/doubt, initiative vs. guilt, industry vs. inferiority,
identity vs. role confusion, intimacy vs. isolation, generativity vs. stagnation, and
integrity vs. despair.
o Erikson also expanded upon Freud’s stages by discussing the cultural implications
of development; certain cultures may need to resolve the stages in different ways
based upon their cultural and survival needs.
TERMS
autonomy: Self-government; freedom to act or function independently.
psychosocial: Having both psychological and social aspects.
Erikson’s Theory
Erik Erikson (1902–1994) was a stage theorist who took Freud’s controversial theory of
psychosexual development and modified it as a psychosocial theory. Erikson emphasized that the
ego makes positive contributions to development by mastering attitudes, ideas, and skills at each
stage of development. This mastery helps children grow into successful, contributing members of
society. During each of Erikson’s eight stages, there is a psychological conflict that must be
successfully overcome in order for a child to develop into a healthy, well-adjusted adult.
Erik Erikson
Erikson developed his eight stages of psychosocial development based on Freud’s psychosexual
theory.
Stages of Psychosocial Development
Erikson’s stages of psychosocial development are based on (and expand upon) Freud’s
psychosexual theory. Erikson proposed that we are motivated by the need to achieve competence
in certain areas of our lives. According to psychosocial theory, we experience eight stages of
development over our lifespan, from infancy through late adulthood. At each stage there is a
crisis or task that we need to resolve. Successful completion of each developmental task results
in a sense of competence and a healthy personality. Failure to master these tasks leads to feelings
of inadequacy.
Erikson also added to Freud’s stages by discussing the cultural implications of development;
certain cultures may need to resolve the stages in different ways based upon their cultural and
survival needs.
Trust vs. Mistrust
From birth to 12 months of age, infants must learn that adults can be trusted. This occurs when
adults meet a child’s basic needs for survival. Infants are dependent upon their caregivers, so
caregivers who are responsive and sensitive to their infant’s needs help their baby to develop a
sense of trust; their baby will see the world as a safe, predictable place. Unresponsive caregivers
who do not meet their baby’s needs can engender feelings of anxiety, fear, and mistrust; their
baby may see the world as unpredictable. If infants are treated cruelly or their needs are not met
appropriately, they will likely grow up with a sense of mistrust for people in the world.
Autonomy vs. Shame/Doubt
As toddlers (ages 1–3 years) begin to explore their world, they learn that they can control their
actions and act on their environment to get results. They begin to show clear preferences for
certain elements of the environment, such as food, toys, and clothing. A toddler’s main task is to
resolve the issue of autonomy vs. shame and doubt by working to establish independence. This is
the “me do it” stage. For example, we might observe a budding sense of autonomy in a 2-year-
old child who wants to choose her clothes and dress herself. Although her outfits might not be
appropriate for the situation, her input in such basic decisions has an effect on her sense of
independence. If denied the opportunity to act on her environment, she may begin to doubt her
abilities, which could lead to low self-esteem and feelings of shame.
Initiative vs. Guilt
Once children reach the preschool stage (ages 3–6 years), they are capable of initiating activities
and asserting control over their world through social interactions and play. According to Erikson,
preschool children must resolve the task of initiative vs. guilt.By learning to plan and achieve
goals while interacting with others, preschool children can master this task. Initiative, a sense of
ambition and responsibility, occurs when parents allow a child to explore within limits and then
support the child’s choice. These children will develop self-confidence and feel a sense of
purpose. Those who are unsuccessful at this stage—with their initiative misfiring or stifled by
over-controlling parents—may develop feelings of guilt.
Industry vs. Inferiority
During the elementary school stage (ages 6–12), children face the task of industry vs.
inferiority. Children begin to compare themselves with their peers to see how they measure up.
They either develop a sense of pride and accomplishment in their schoolwork, sports, social
activities, and family life, or they feel inferior and inadequate because they feel that they don’t
measure up. If children do not learn to get along with others or have negative experiences at
home or with peers, an inferiority complex might develop into adolescence and adulthood.
Identity vs. Role Confusion
In adolescence (ages 12–18), children face the task of identity vs. role confusion. According to
Erikson, an adolescent’s main task is developing a sense of self. Adolescents struggle with
questions such as “Who am I?” and “What do I want to do with my life?” Along the way, most
adolescents try on many different selves to see which ones fit; they explore various roles and
ideas, set goals, and attempt to discover their “adult” selves. Adolescents who are successful at
this stage have a strong sense of identity and are able to remain true to their beliefs and values in
the face of problemsand other people’s perspectives. When adolescents are apathetic, do not
make a conscious search for identity, or are pressured to conform to their parents’ ideas for the
future, they may develop a weak sense of self and experience role confusion. They will be unsure
of their identity and confused about the future. Teenagers who struggle to adopt a positive role
will likely struggle to “find” themselves as adults.
Intimacy vs. Isolation
People in early adulthood (20s through early 40s) are concerned with intimacy vs.
isolation. After we have developed a sense of self in adolescence, we are ready to share our life
with others. However, if other stages have not been successfully resolved, young adults may
have trouble developing and maintaining successful relationships with others. Erikson said that
we must have a strong sense of self before we can develop successful intimate relationships.
Adults who do not develop a positive self-concept in adolescence may experience feelings of
loneliness and emotional isolation.
Generativity vs. Stagnation
When people reach their 40s, they enter the time known as middle adulthood, which extends to
the mid-60s. The social task of middle adulthood is generativity vs. stagnation. Generativity
involves finding your life’s work and contributing to the development of others through activities
such as volunteering, mentoring, and raising children. During this stage, middle-aged adults
begin contributing to the next generation, often through childbirth and caring for others; they
also engage in meaningful and productive work which contributes positively to society. Those
who do not master this task may experience stagnation and feel as though they are not leaving a
mark on the world in a meaningful way; they may have little connection with others and little
interest in productivity and self-improvement.
Integrity vs. Despair
From the mid-60s to the end of life, we are in the period of development known as late
adulthood. Erikson’s task at this stage is called integrity vs. despair. He said that people in late
adulthood reflect on their lives and feel either a sense of satisfaction or a sense of failure. People
who feel proud of their accomplishments feel a sense of integrity, and they can look back on
their lives with few regrets. However, people who are not successful at this stage may feel as if
their life has been wasted. They focus on what “would have,” “should have,” and “could have”
been. They face the end of their lives with feelings of bitterness, depression, and despair.
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