| Stage | Age | Positive Resolution | Negative Resolution |
|---|
| Trust versus mistrust | Birth to 1 year | Trusts others, has faith in others. | Mistrusts others, expects the worst of people. |
| Autonomy versus shame and doubt | 1 to 3 years | Learns to be autonomous and independent. | Learns to feel shame and doubt when freedom to explore is restricted. |
| Initiative versus guilt | 3 to 6 years | Becomes more responsible, shows the ability to follow through. | Develops guilt and anxiety when unable to handle responsibilities. |
| Industry versus inferiority | 6 years to puberty | Feels a sense of accomplishment and increased self-esteem. | Feels inferiority or incompetence, which can later lead to unstable work habits. |
| Ego identity versus role confusion | Puberty to twenties | Tries out roles and emerges with a strong sense of values, beliefs, and goals. | Lacks a solid identity, experiences withdrawal, isolation, or continued role confusion. |
| Intimacy versus isolation | Young adulthood (twenties to forties) | Creates meaningful, deep relationships. | Lives in isolation. |
| Generativity versus stagnation | Middle adulthood (forties to mid-sixties) | Makes a positive impact on the next generation through parenting, community involvement, or work that is valuable and significant. | Experiences boredom, conceit, and selfishness. |
| Integrity versus despair | Late adulthood (mid-sixties and older) | Feels a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction. | Feels regret and dissatisfaction. |
| These are the eight stages of psychosocial development proposed by Erik Erikson. Each stage is marked by a developmental task or an emotional crisis that must be handled successfully to allow for healthy psychological growth. |
| SOURCE: ERIKSON AND ERIKSON (1997). |