Erikson's Stage of Development

Question 1

Trust vs. Mistrust?

Answer 1

From birth - 1 year (Infancy)

Virtue: Hope
Core Pathology: Withdrawal

The first challenge children face is learning if they can or cannot trust people. If their needs don’t get met they experience withdrawal.

Question 2

Autonomy vs. Shame/Doubt

Answer 2

From 1 year - 3 (Toddlerhood)

Virtue: Will
Core Pathology: Compulsion

When children learn to execute task on their own but if they don’t execute it well then they develop shame and doubt.

Question 3

Initiative vs. Guilt

Answer 3

From 3 years - 6 (Play Age)

Virtue: Purpose
Core Pathology: Inhibition

you feel a sense of purpose when you initiate things but if they don’t go well you feel a sense of guilt.

Question 4

Industry vs. Inferiority

Answer 4

From 6 years - puberty (School age)

Virtue: Competence
Core Pathology: Inertia

Children learns to interact with others and can become inferior to their peers when they realize their strengths and weaknesses. They can also develop competence during this time, which is the idea of doing something well.

Question 5

Identity vs. Confusion

Answer 5

Adolescence

Virtue: Fidelity
Core Pathology: Repudiation

Personal identity is formed, fidelity is a faithfulness to who you say you are. Repudiation is something that develops, which is also rejection.

Question 6

Intimacy vs. Isolation

Answer 6

Young Adult

Virtue: Love
Core Pathology: Exclusivity

Intimacy is getting into someone’s life and allowing others into your life. (mutual self-disclosure)
Isolation is fear of intimacy and exclusivity is the inability to love.
The virtue gained is love.

Question 7

Generativity vs. Stagnation

Answer 7

Middle Adult

Virtue: Care
Core Pathology: Rejectivity

Generativity is continuation of productivity in life.
Stagnation is stopping and doing nothing with your life.
When you are productive and you give you show that you care about others.
Rejectivity is rejecting other people from your realm of care.

Question 8

Integrity vs. Despair

Answer 8

Later Adult

Virtue: Wisdom
Core Pathology: Disdain

Despair is looking back at your life with regret.
Integrity is being proud of your life
Wisdom is knowing what to do with what you have learned
Disdain feeling that life is empty, vain, worthless.