Erik Erikson's theory of psychosocial development

Definition

Erik Erikson's theory of psychosocial development is a psychological theory that describes how individuals develop and change throughout their lives, focusing on the interaction between biological and social factors. It consists of eight stages, each characterized by a unique developmental task or crisis.

Related terms

Identity vs. Role Confusion: This stage occurs during adolescence when individuals explore and develop their own sense of self and personal identity.

Trust vs. Mistrust:

The first stage in Erikson's theory where infants learn to trust or mistrust their caregivers based on consistent care and attention.

Intimacy vs. Isolation:

A stage that occurs in early adulthood when individuals seek close relationships with others or experience feelings of loneliness and isolation if they fail to establish meaningful connections.