Verywell MindErikson’s Stages of Development

Erik Erikson’s psychosocial developmental theory presents eight distinct life stages that influence psychological growth from infancy through late adulthood. Each stage involves specific conflicts that, when successfully resolved, contribute to healthy psychological development and emotional well-being. Understanding these stages helps healthcare providers better assess patients’ psychological needs across the lifespan and identify potential developmental challenges that may impact mental health outcomes.

Key Points:

• The theory identifies eight sequential stages: Trust vs. Mistrust (birth-18 months), Autonomy vs. Shame/Doubt (18 months-3 years), Initiative vs. Guilt (3-5 years), Industry vs. Inferiority (6-11 years), Identity vs. Confusion (12-18 years), Intimacy vs. Isolation (19-40 years), Generativity vs. Stagnation (40-65 years), and Integrity vs. Despair (65+)
• Each developmental stage presents a psychological conflict that requires resolution for optimal emotional growth. Successful navigation leads to specific ego strengths: hope, will, purpose, competence, fidelity, love, care, and wisdom respectively
• Clinical evidence supports the theory’s emphasis on identity formation during adolescence, showing correlation between strong personal identity development and capacity for intimate relationships in early adulthood
• The theory demonstrates that psychological development continues throughout the lifespan, with each stage building upon previous resolutions and influencing subsequent stages
• Research validates the importance of social relationships in personality development, though specific mechanisms for conflict resolution between stages remain undefined

HCN Medical Memo
Understanding Erikson’s developmental stages enables healthcare providers to better assess psychological health risks and support appropriate interventions across different life phases.

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