8 Stages of Man
1. Learning Basic Trust
vs. Basic Mistrust
(Trust and Hope)

Ages 1-2 years old

Trust and security is
developed as a result
of nurture and love

Insecurity and
mistrust result from
bad parenting
2. Learning Autonomy vs.
Shame (Will)

Ages 18 months-3-4
years old

Autonomy isn’t only
synonymous with
independence, it also
includes the stormy
self-will, tantrums,
and stubbornness

Well-parented child:
 Emerges sure of
himself
 Elated with his new
found control
 Proud rather than
ashamed
3.
Learning Initiative
vs. Guilt (Purpose)

Ages 3 1/2-4 years
old

Pre-school years-
“PLAY AGE”

Child learns to:
 imagine
 cooperate with others
 to lead as well as
follows

If guilty, the child
will be fearful, hang
on fringe of the group,
continue to depend on
adults, and restrict
both development of
play skills and
imagination
4.
Industry vs.
Inferiority (Competence)

School Age-up to Jr.
High

Child learns to:
 Relate with peers
according to rules
 Progress from free
play to play with more
structure, rules,
teamwork
 Master social
studies, reading and
arithmetic
 Self-discipline
develops yearly with
homework
5. Learning Identity vs.
Identity Diffusion
(Fidelity)

Ages 13-14 to about
20 years old

Can answer the
question happily “Who
am I?”

As earlier stages are
laid and are positive,
‘negative identity” are
not realized

Clear sexual identity
is created-manhood and
womenhood

Achieves rather than
being “paralyzed” by
feelings

Seeks leadership and
mentoring
6. Learning Intimacy vs.
Isolation (Love)

Age:
Young adult

Experiences true
intimacy…true love
leading to either a
good marriage or a
genuine and enduring
friendship
7. Learning Generativity
vs. Self-Absorption
(Care)

Marriage and
parenthood often work
productively and
creatively for a person
to be more giving and
less self-absorbed
8. Integrity vs. Despair
(Wisdom)

If all other stages
are successfully
realized, the mature
adult develops the peak
of adjustment,
integrity

Adult trusts, is
independent, and dares
the new challenge

Has found a well-
defined role in life
and has developed a
happy self-concept

Can be intimate
without strain, guilt,
regret, or lack of
realism

Is proud of his/her
creation-children,
work, hobbies

If one or more of the
earlier stages have not
been resolved, this
adult may view
him/herself as a life
of disgust and despair.