Reference · Assessment and Planning

Erikson's stages of psychosocial development

The short answer

Erikson described eight stages across the lifespan, each a crisis between two poles, such as trust versus mistrust. Unresolved stages can be revisited later.[1][2] Unlike Freud's psychosexual stages, Erikson's are psychosocial and run through adulthood.[1][2]

Study note: Age ranges for each stage differ from source to source. Learn the order and the crisis at each stage; exam questions describe behavior, not birthdays.

The key ideas

  • Erikson psychosocial theory overview

    Eight sequential stages across the lifespan, each a crisis between a positive (syntonic) and negative (dystonic) pole; balanced resolution yields an ego virtue. It extends Freud by adding social influences and adulthood. Joan Erikson later added a ninth stage for very old age. Unresolved stages can be revisited later.[1][2]

  • Erikson stage 1: trust vs mistrust

    Infancy (about birth to 1 year). Responsive, consistent caregiving builds basic trust; neglect or unpredictability breeds mistrust. Virtue: hope. Parallels Freud's oral stage. Ages are approximate and vary by source.[2]

  • Erikson stage 2: autonomy vs shame and doubt

    Toddlerhood (about 1 to 3 years). Child asserts independence (toilet training, dressing self, 'me do it'); overcontrol or ridicule fosters shame and doubt. Virtue: will. Parallels Freud's anal stage. Ages are approximate and vary by source.[2]

  • Erikson stage 3: initiative vs guilt

    Preschool years (about 3 to 6). Child plans and starts activities and pretend play; harsh criticism of self-started efforts yields guilt. Virtue: purpose. Parallels Freud's phallic stage. Ages are approximate and vary by source.[2]

  • Erikson stage 4: industry vs inferiority

    School age (about 6 to 12; OpenStax gives 7 to 11 in text and 6 to 12 in its table; ages vary by source). Children compare themselves with peers and build competence in school, sports and social life; repeated failure produces inferiority. Virtue: competence. Parallels Freud's latency.[2]

  • Erikson stage 5: identity vs role confusion

    Adolescence (about 12 to 18). Task is forming a coherent sense of self ('Who am I?'), trying roles; failure yields role confusion or identity diffusion. Virtue: fidelity. Ages are approximate and vary by source.[2][1]

  • Erikson stage 6: intimacy vs isolation

    Early adulthood (OpenStax: 19 to 29; many texts: about 18 to 40; ages vary by source). With a secure identity, the person can commit to close relationships; lacking one risks isolation and loneliness. Virtue: love.[2]

  • Erikson stage 7: generativity vs stagnation

    Middle adulthood (OpenStax: 30 to 64; many texts: about 40 to 65; ages vary by source). Concern for guiding the next generation through parenting, mentoring, work and community; stagnation is self-absorption and lack of contribution. Virtue: care.[2]

  • Erikson stage 8: integrity vs despair

    Late adulthood (about 65 onward). Life review leads to acceptance and satisfaction (integrity) or regret and fear of death (despair). Virtue: wisdom. Ages are approximate and vary by source.[2]

  • Erikson ninth stage

    Joan Erikson added a ninth stage addressing new challenges of very advanced age, drawing on all eight earlier stages.[1]

How the ASWB exam tests it

  • Know the order of the stages, and that a stage does not have to be fully resolved before the next begins. Erikson's theory is psychosocial; Freud's is psychosexual.[1][2]
  • A question may describe a neglected infant or an inconsistent caregiver and ask for the stage or likely outcome. A common wrong answer is autonomy versus shame.[2]
  • A toddler who insists on choosing clothes or refuses help is in this stage. A common wrong answer is initiative versus guilt.[2]
  • A preschooler leading make-believe games, or feeling guilty for making a mess, is in this stage. A common wrong answer is industry versus inferiority.[2]
  • A child who feels stupid after poor grades, or who is praised for effort, is in this stage. Common wrong answers are initiative versus guilt and identity versus role confusion.[2]
  • A teen experimenting with groups, values, and appearance is in this stage, the one tested most often. A common wrong answer is intimacy versus isolation, a young adult task.[2][1]

The common trap

Mixing up neighboring stages. Initiative versus guilt (preschool) and industry versus inferiority (school age) are the usual swap.[2]

Related explainers

Sources

  1. 1.NCBI Bookshelf (StatPearls). www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/books/NBK556096/
  2. 2.OpenStax Psychology 2e (Rice University). openstax.org/books/psychology-2e/pages/9-2-lifespan-theories

See where you stand

6 questions in the 2026 format. See where your answers lean.

Take the free 6-question diagnostic