Erikson's Psychosocial Stages of Development

Question 1

birth to 1 year; infants learn to trust that others will fulfill their basic needs (nourishment, warmth, comfort) or to lack confidence that their needs will be met

Answer 1

trust v. mistrust

Question 2

1 to 3 years; toddlers learn to be self-sufficient and independent through toilet training, feeding, walking, talking, and exploring or to lack confidence int heir own abilities and doubt themselves

Answer 2

autonomy v. shame and doubt

Question 3

3 to 6 years; young children become inquisitive, ambitious, and eager for responsibility or experience overwhelming guilt for their curiosity and overstepping boundaries

Answer 3

initiative v. guilt

Question 4

6 to 12 years; children learn to be hard working, competent, and productive by mastering new skills in school, friendships, and home life or experience difficulty, leading to feelings of inadequacy and incompetence

Answer 4

industry v. inferiority

Question 5

puberty to early adulthood; adolescents search for a sense of self by experimenting with roles; also look for answers to the question “Who am I?” in terms of career, sexual, and political roles or remain confused about who they are and their place in the world

Answer 5

identity v. role confusion

Question 6

early adulthood; young adults seek companionship and a close relationship with another person or experience isolation and self-absorption through difficulty developing intimate relationships and sharing with others

Answer 6

intimacy v. isolation

Question 7

middle adulthood; adults contribute to, establish, and guide the next generation through work, creative activities, and parenting or stagnate, remaining emotionally impoverished and concerned about themselves

Answer 7

generativity v. stagnation

Question 8

late adulthood; older adults look back at life to make sense of it, accept mistakes, and view life as meaningful and productive or feel despair over goals never reached and fear of death

Answer 8

integrity v. despair