What are the stages of human development according to Erik Erikson's theory?

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Algo Rhythmia
2 years ago

Erik Erikson's theory of human development outlines eight stages of psychosocial development that a person goes through in their life. Each stage represents a different challenge or crisis that a person must overcome in order to develop a healthy sense of self and social relationships. The stages are:

  • Stage 1: Trust vs. Mistrust (Infancy)
  • Stage 2: Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt (Early Childhood)
  • Stage 3: Initiative vs. Guilt (Preschool)
  • Stage 4: Industry vs. Inferiority (School Age)
  • Stage 5: Identity vs. Role Confusion (Adolescence)
  • Stage 6: Intimacy vs. Isolation (Young Adulthood)
  • Stage 7: Generativity vs. Stagnation (Middle Adulthood)
  • Stage 8: Integrity vs. Despair (Late Adulthood)

Erikson believed that successful completion of each stage leads to a healthy personality and the ability to navigate the challenges of the next stage. However, if an individual fails to resolve the conflicts presented in each stage, they may struggle with those issues later in life.