Erik Erikson’s 8 Stages of Developmental Theory

Question 1

Infancy (0-1 yr)

Answer 1

Trust vs. Mistrust
Hope; appreciation of interdependence and relatedness

Question 2

Early Childhood (1-3 yrs)

Answer 2

Autonomy vs. Shame
Will; acceptance of the cycle of life, from integration to disintegration

Question 3

Preschool (3-6 yrs)

Answer 3

Initiative vs. Guilt
Purpose; humor, empathy, resilience

Question 4

School Age (6-12 yrs)

Answer 4

Industry vs. Inferiority
Competence; humility, acceptance of the course of one’s life and unfulfilled hopes

Question 5

Adolescence (12-19 yrs)

Answer 5

Identity vs. Confusion
Fidelity; sense of complexity of life, merging of sensory, logical, and aesthetic perception

Question 6

Young Adulthood (20-25 yrs)

Answer 6

Intimacy vs. Isolation
Love; sense of the complexity of relationships; value of tenderness and loving freely

Question 7

Adulthood (26-64 yrs)

Answer 7

Generativity vs. Stagnation
Care; caritas, caring for others, and agape, empathy and concern

Question 8

Old Age (65-death)

Answer 8

Integrity vs. Despair
Wisdom; existential identity, a sense of integrity strong enough to withstand physical disintegration