Erik H. Erikson's Stages of Development

Trust vs Mistrust

• The challenges that occur during the baby's first year
• When the baby depends on others to provide food, comfort, and warmth
• If the needs are not met the child may develop trust issues

Autonomy vs shame and doubt

• Challenges that occur when the child is a toddler
• The child is learning to be independent and must do so without feeling ashamed of his/her actions

Initiative vs guilt

• Challenges that occur as a preschooler develops
• A child is aquiring new psychial and mental skills
• The child is setting goals and enjoying newfound talents

Competence vs inferiority

• The challenge for school age children
• Learning to make things, acquire skills for adult life
• The children who fail these lessons may come out feeling inferior

Identity vs role confusion

• The great challenge of adolescence
• The teenagers must decide what they will make of their lives (identity crisis)
• People who resolve this will come out with a strong identity ready to plan for the future
• Ones who don't will sink into confusion

intimacy vs isolation

• Challenges of young adults
• After finding who you are you must share yourself with others and learn to make commitments
• No matter how successful you are in work you are not complete until you are capable of intimacy

Generativity vs stagnation

• Challenges of the middle years
• After you know who you are and have an intimate relationship you will sink into complacency and selfishness
• Parenthood is the most common need for the successful resolution of the stage

Ego integrity vs despair

• The final challenge of old age
• As people age they strive to reach the ultimate goals-wisdom, spiritual tranquility and acceptance of their lives
• Just as a healthy child will not fear life, the healthy adult will not fear death