Erik Erikson's stages of psychosocial development

Definition

A theory that describes eight stages of psychological and social development throughout a person's lifetime, each stage representing a different conflict or challenge to be resolved.

Related terms

Trust vs. Mistrust:

The first stage where infants learn to trust or mistrust their caregivers based on consistent care and responsiveness.

Initiative vs. Guilt:

The third stage where children develop a sense of purpose and take initiative in their activities or feel guilty if they believe their actions are wrong.

Industry vs. Inferiority: The fourth stage where children begin to compare themselves with others academically, socially, and physically, developing feelings of competence or inferiority.