Erik Erikson's stages

Definition

Erik Erikson's stages refer to a theory of psychosocial development that describes eight distinct stages individuals go through from infancy to old age. Each stage is characterized by a unique developmental task or crisis that must be resolved for healthy psychological growth.

Related terms

Trust vs. Mistrust: In this first stage, infants learn to trust or mistrust their caregivers based on the consistency and reliability of their care.

Identity vs. Role Confusion: This stage occurs during adolescence when individuals explore different identities and roles before establishing a sense of self.

Integrity vs. Despair: The final stage focuses on late adulthood, where individuals reflect on their lives and either experience a sense of fulfillment (integrity) or regret (despair).