What is Psychosocial Development?

Erik Erikson’s theory of psychosocial development is one of the best-known theories of

personality in psychology. Much like Sigmund Freud, Erikson believed that personality
develops in a series of stages. Unlike Freud’s theory of psychosexual stages, Erikson’s
theory describes the impact of social experience across the whole lifespan.

One of the main elements of Erikson’s psychosocial stage theory is the development of ego
identity.1 Ego identity is the conscious sense of self that we develop through social
interaction. According to Erikson, our ego identity is constantly changing due to new
experience and information we acquire in our daily interactions with others. In addition to
ego identity, Erikson also believed that a sense of competence also motivates behaviors and
actions. Each stage in Erikson’s theory is concerned with becoming competent in an area of
life. If the stage is handled well, the person will feel a sense of mastery, which he
sometimes referred to as ego strength or ego quality.2 If the stage is managed poorly,
the person will emerge with a sense of inadequacy.

In each stage, Erikson believed people experience a conflict that serves as a turning point
in development. In Erikson’s view, these conflicts are centered on either developing a
psychological quality or failing to develop that quality. During these times, the potential for
personal growth is high, but so is the potential for failure.
Psychosocial Stage 1 - Trust vs. Mistrust
 The first stage of Erikson’s theory of psychosocial development occurs between birth and
one year of age and is the most fundamental stage in life.2

 Because an infant is utterly dependent, the development of trust is based on the

dependability and quality of the child’s caregivers.

 If a child successfully develops trust, he or she will feel safe and secure in the world.
Caregivers who are inconsistent, emotionally unavailable, or rejecting contribute to
feelings of mistrust in the children they care for. Failure to develop trust will result in fear
and a belief that the world is inconsistent and unpredictable.
Psychosocial Stage 2 - Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt
 The second stage of Erikson's theory of psychosocial development takes place during
early childhood and is focused on children developing a greater sense of personal
control.2

 Like Freud, Erikson believed that toilet training was a vital part of this process. However,
Erikson's reasoning was quite different then that of Freud's. Erikson believe that learning
to control one’s body functions leads to a feeling of control and a sense of independence.

 Other important events include gaining more control over food choices, toy preferences,
and clothing selection.

 Children who successfully complete this stage feel secure and confident, while those who
do not are left with a sense of inadequacy and self-doubt.
Erikson's Psychosocial Stages Summary Chart

Erikson's Stages of Psychosocial Development

Erik Erikson described development that occurs throughout the lifespan. Learn more in this
chart summarizing Erikson's stages of psychosocial development.
Stage Basic Important Outcome
Conflict Events

Infancy (birth Trust vs. Feeding Children develop a sense of trust when
to 18 months) Mistrust caregivers provide reliabilty, care, and
affection. A lack of this will lead to
mistrust.

Early Autonomy vs. Toilet Children need to develop a sense of

Childhood (2 Shame and Training personal control over physical skills and a
to 3 years) Doubt sense of independence. Success leads to
feelings of autonomy, failure results in
feelings of shame and doubt.

Preschool (3 Initiative vs. Exploration Children need to begin asserting control

to 5 years) Guilt and power over the environment. Success
in this stage leads to a sense of purpose.
Children who try to exert too much power
experience disapproval, resulting in a
sense of guilt.

School Age (6 Industry vs. School Children need to cope with new social and
to 11 years) Inferiority academic demands. Success leads to a
sense of competence, while failure results
in feelings of inferiority.

Adolescence Identity vs. Social Teens need to develop a sense of self and
(12 to 18 Role Relationships personal identity. Success leads to an
years) Confusion ability to stay true to yourself, while
failure leads to role confusion and a weak
sense of self.

Yound Intimacy vs. Relationships Young adults need to form intimate, loving
Adulthood (19 Isolation relationships with other people. Success
to 40 years) leads to strong relationships, while failure
results in loneliness and isolation.
 Middle Generativity Work and Adults need to create or nurture things
Adulthood (40 vs. Parenthood that will outlast them, often by having
to 65 years) Stagnation children or creating a positive change that
benefits other people. Success leads to
feelings of usefulness and
accomplishment, while failure results in
shallow involvement in the world.

Maturity(65 to Ego Integrity Reflection on Older adults need to look back on life and
death) vs. Despair Life feel a sense of fulfillment. Success at this
stage leads to feelings of wisdom, while
failure results in regret, bitterness, and
despair.

More Resources:

Learn more about psychosocial theories and Erik Erikson in the following articles:

 Erikson's Stages of Psychosocial Development

Learn more about Erikson's Theory of Psychosocial Development. According to Erikson,
each stage plays a major role in the development of personality and psychological skills.

 Biography of Erik Erikson

Erik Erikson's stage theory of psychosocial development contributed to our understanding
of personality development throughout the lifespan. Learn more about his life, career,
and how early experiences led to his interest in identity

Erikson’s Stages of Psychosocial Development

Like Piaget, Erik Erikson (1902-1994) maintained that children develop in a predetermined order. Instead
of focusing on cognitive development, however, he was interested in how children socialize and how this
affects their sense of self. Erikson’s Theory of Psychosocial Development has eight distinct stage, each
with two possible outcomes. According to the theory, successful completion of each stage results in a
healthy personality and successful interactions with others. Failure to successfully complete a stage can
result in a reduced ability to complete further stages and therefore a more unhealthy personality and
sense of self. These stages, however, can be resolved successfully at a later time.

Trust Versus Mistrust. From ages birth to one year, children begin to learn the ability to trust others
based upon the consistency of their caregiver(s). If trust develops successfully, the child gains confidence
and security in the world around him and is able to feel secure even when threatened. Unsuccessful
completion of this stage can result in an inability to trust, and therefore an sense of fear about the
inconsistent world. It may result in anxiety, heightened insecurities, and an over feeling of mistrust in the
world around them.

Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt. Between the ages of one and three, children begin to assert their
independence, by walking away from their mother, picking which toy to play with, and making choices
about what they like to wear, to eat, etc. If children in this stage are encouraged and supported in their
increased independence, they become more confident and secure in their own ability to survive in the
world. If children are criticized, overly controlled, or not given the opportunity to assert themselves, they
begin to feel inadequate in their ability to survive, and may then become overly dependent upon others,
lack self-esteem, and feel a sense of shame or doubt in their own abilities.

Initiative vs. Guilt. Around age three and continuing to age six, children assert themselves more
frequently. They begin to plan activities, make up games, and initiate activities with others. If given this
opportunity, children develop a sense of initiative, and feel secure in their ability to lead others and make
decisions. Conversely, if this tendency is squelched, either through criticism or control, children develop a
sense of guilt. They may feel like a nuisance to others and will therefore remain followers, lacking in self-
initiative.

Industry vs. Inferiority. From age six years to puberty, children begin to develop a sense of pride in their
accomplishments. They initiate projects, see them through to completion, and feel good about what they
have achieved. During this time, teachers play an increased role in the child’s development. If children
are encouraged and reinforced for their initiative, they begin to feel industrious and feel confident in their
ability to achieve goals. If this initiative is not encouraged, if it is restricted by parents or teacher, then the
child begins to feel inferior, doubting his own abilities and therefore may not reach his potential.

Identity vs. Role Confusion. During adolescence, the transition from childhood to adulthood is most
important. Children are becoming more independent, and begin to look at the future in terms of career,
relationships, families, housing, etc. During this period, they explore possibilities and begin to form their
own identity based upon the outcome of their explorations. This sense of who they are can be hindered,
which results in a sense of confusion ("I don’t know what I want to be when I grow up") about themselves
and their role in the world.

Intimacy vs. Isolation. Occurring in Young adulthood, we begin to share ourselves more intimately with
others. We explore relationships leading toward longer term commitments with someone other than a
family member. Successful completion can lead to comfortable relationships and a sense of commitment,
safety, and care within a relationship. Avoiding intimacy, fearing commitment and relationships can lead
to isolation, loneliness, and sometimes depression.

Generativity vs. Stagnation. During middle adulthood, we establish our careers, settle down within a
relationship, begin our own families and develop a sense of being a part of the bigger picture. We give
back to society through raising our children, being productive at work, and becoming involved in
community activities and organizations. By failing to achieve these objectives, we become stagnant and
feel unproductive.
Ego Integrity vs. Despair. As we grow older and become senior citizens, we tend to slow down our
productivity, and explore life as a retired person. It is during this time that we contemplate our
accomplishments and are able to develop integrity if we see ourselves as leading a successful life. If we
see our lives as unproductive, feel guilt about our pasts, or feel that we did not accomplish our life goals,
we become dissatisfied with life and develop despair, often leading to depression and hopelessness.