Chapter 3 Understanding Human Development 75
Erikson’s Psychosocial Developmental Stages
Stage/Age Task Description
Infancy
(Birth to 1 year)
Trust versus
mistrust
Babies learn about trust from their caregivers who meet their
needs, including food, attention, physical contact, interaction,
and safety. When needs are not met, they perceive the world as
an unpredictable place.
Toddler
(1 to 3 years)
Autonomy
versus shame
and doubt
Toddlers learn self-help skills, such as feeding, toileting,
dressing, and undressing and, as a result, increase confi dence.
Toddlers who lack control or independence may experience
shame and doubt. Some caregivers punish toddlers for not
doing things “right” while they are still learning new skills. This
can undermine confi dence.
Early childhood
(3 to 6 years)
Initiative
versus guilt
Through discovery and exploration, young children learn about
the world and their place in it. They learn what is real and what
is imaginary. They learn to take initiative to claim their place
in the world. Too much criticism and punishment can result in
feelings of guilt and shame.
Middle childhood
(6 to 12 years)
Industry
versus
inferiority
Children develop competency both at school and at home.
They develop a sense of self and confi dence from becoming
competent in the outside world. If they or others consistently
compare them negatively against others, feelings of inferiority
can surface.
Adolescence
(13 to 18 years or
older)
Identity versus
role confusion
Preteens and teens begin to understand and experiment with a
number of different roles. A task during this stage is to integrate
multiple roles such as sister, daughter, student, athlete, friend,
and employee. If a central, or core, identity is not established,
role confusion exists.
Young adulthood
(18 to 40 years or
older)
Intimacy
versus
isolation
During later adolescence and early adulthood, close
relationships form. These relationships should involve sharing
oneself emotionally. Success in this stage is based on success
in earlier stages. Failure to establish intimacy results in
emotional or psychological isolation.
Middle adulthood
(40 to 65 years)
Generativity
versus
self-absorption
Adults in middle adulthood begin to place emphasis on
assisting others and improving the next generation. This
can be done in many ways, including parenting, teaching or
training others, or passing on cultural values. Failure to do so
leads to self-absorption.
Older adulthood
(65 years and
older)
Integrity
versus despair
In the last stage of life, adults review their life and refl ect on
its meaning. If people are satisfi ed with their life, there is a
sense of integrity. Without it, despair may emerge as the end
of life approaches.
3-6
Erikson described personality development as occurring during eight stages of life.