| Life Stage | Psychosocial Conflict | Positive Resolution | Negative Resolution |
|---|
| Infancy (birth to 18 months) | Trust vs. mistrust | Reliance on consistent and warm caregivers produces a sense of predictability and trust in the environment. | Physical and psychological neglect by caregivers leads to fear, anxiety, and mistrust of the environment. |
| Toddlerhood (18 months to 3 years) | Autonomy vs. doubt | Caregivers encourage independence and self-sufficiency, promoting positive self-esteem. | Overly restrictive caregiving leads to self-doubt in abilities and low self-esteem. |
| Early childhood (3 to 6 years) | Initiative vs. guilt | The child learns to initiate activities and develops a sense of social responsibility concerning the rights of others; promotes self-confidence. | Parental overcontrol stifles the child’s spontaneity, sense of purpose, and social learning; promotes guilt and fear of punishment. |
| Middle and late childhood (6 to 12 years) | Industry vs. inferiority | Through experiences with parents and “keeping up” with peers, the child develops a sense of pride and competence in schoolwork and home and social activities. | Negative experiences with parents or failure to “keep up” with peers leads to pervasive feelings of inferiority and inadequacy. |
| Adolescence | Identity vs. role confusion | Through experimentation with different roles, the adolescent develops an integrated and stable self-definition; forms commitments to future adult roles. | An apathetic adolescent or one who experiences pressures and demands from others may feel confusion about his or her identity and role in society. |
| Young adulthood | Intimacy vs. isolation | By establishing lasting and meaningful relationships, the young adult develops a sense of connectedness and intimacy with others. | Because of fear of rejection or excessive self-preoccupation, the young adult is unable to form close, meaningful relationships and becomes psychologically isolated. |
| Middle adulthood | Generativity vs. stagnation | Through child rearing, caring for others, productive work, and community involvement, the adult expresses unselfish concern for the welfare of the next generation. | Self-indulgence, self-absorption, and a preoccupation with one’s own needs lead to a sense of stagnation, boredom, and a lack of meaningful accomplishments. |
| Late adulthood | Ego integrity vs. despair | In reviewing his or her life, the older adult experiences a strong sense of self-acceptance and meaningfulness in his or her accomplishments. | In looking back on his or her life, the older adult experiences regret, dissatisfaction, and disappointment about his or her life and accomplishments. |
| Source: Research from Erikson (1964a). |