ERIKSON’S STAGES OF DEVELOPMENT

Stage 1
INFANCY: BIRTH - 18 MONTHS

Hope

Major emphasis

  • Visual contact & touch
  • Parents' nurturing ability
  • Care for a child

Trust

Mistrust

Confidence

Security

Insecurity

Worthlessness

Stage 2
TODDLER / EARLY CHILDHOOD YEARS: 18 MONTHS - 3 YEARS

Will

Autonomy

A sense of independence & a feeling of control

Secure & confident

Shame & Doubt

Sense of inadequacy & self-doubt

Stage 3
PLAY AGE / PRESCHOOLER: 3 - 5 YEARS

Purpose

Initiative

Guilt

Imitate the people around

Start exploring the world — "WHY?"

Frustrated over natural desires & goals, self-doubt & lack initiatve

Stage 4
SCHOOL AGE CHILD: 5 - 12 YEARS

Competence

Industry

Inferiority

Develop a sense of pride in their accomplishments & abilities

Accomplishing numerous new skills, learning & creating

Social stage of development

  • Relationship with the school & neighborhood
  • Central question: “How can I be good?”
  • Relationship with the basic family
  • Central question: “Is it okay for me to do things?”

Stage 5
ADOLESCENT: 12 - 18 YEARS

Fidelity

Identity

Confusion

Developing a sense of personal identity

Explore independence

Develop a sense of self

Upheaval, insecure & confused about themselves & the future

Stage 6
YOUNG ADULT: 18 - 35 YEARS

Love

Intimacy

Isolation

  • Relationships with marital partners, work connections & friends
  • Central question: “Can I love & be loved?”

Stage 7
MIDDLE-AGED ADULT: 35 - 55 / 65 YEARS

Care

Generativity

Stagnation

  • Significant relationships with family, workplace, local church & other communities
  • Central question: “What can I contribute to the world?”

Taking greater responsibilities & control

Make a difference to society

Unproductive & uninvolved in the world

Meaninglessness

Stage 8
MATURITY / LATE ADULT: 55 / 65 YEARS - DEATH

Wisdom

Integrity

Despair

Satisfaction, meaningful life & valuable contribution to society

Regrets, wasted & bitterness

  • Significant relationship with mother
  • Central question: “Can I trust the world?”
  • Significant relationship with friends
  • Central question: “Who am I?”
  • Significant relationship with parents
  • Central question: “Can I do things myself / must I rely on others?”

"Giving back", helping & contributing

Intimate relationships, work & social life

Life achievements & reflection

  • Significant relationship with Mankind
  • Central question: “Was my life a good one?”

Exploration & discovery

Bodily function & walking

Less committed relationships, loneliness & depression

Lasting & meaningful intimacy relationships

Doubt their abilities