Eric Erikson’s
Development Theory
By: Crystal Munson, Katie Jerald,
Byronica Banks, Jenna Long, Tiffany
Carree, and Kiersten Pough
Stage 1
Infancy (0 to 1 ½ years)
Trust vs. Mistrust
►Completely dependent
on
others
►Is either trustful or
mistrustful in situations
Stage 2
Early Childhood (1
½ to 3 years)
Autonomy vs.
Shame and Doubt
►Strive to control body
►Either proud (when potty
training), or shameful (not
being able to potty train
yet)
Stage 3
Play Age (3 to 5 years)
Initiative vs. Guilt
►Extremely curious and asks a
lot of questions
►Either praised for asking
questions, or told to be silent
Stage 4
Elementary School Age
(5 to 12 years)
Industry vs. Inferiority
►Obtaining knowledge and skills
►Will either feel proud when
learning to read, write, do
math, etc. or really inferior when
belonging in the low category
and getting low grades
Stage 5
Adolescence (12 to 18
years)
Identity and Reputation
vs. Identity Confusion
►Most important stage in life
►Determines who he/she is,
what he/she wants from
life, or experiences identity
crisis
Stage 6
Young Adult (18 to
25 years) Intimacy
and Solidarity vs.
Isolation
►Has figured out who he/she is
►Ready to share himself/herself
with another person
►Is either ready to have a
relationship and family or is
isolated and not connected to
society
Stage 7
Adulthood (25 to 65
years)
Generativity vs. SelfAbsorption
►Will either be productive
and contribute to society
or will become selfabsorbed and negative
Stage 8
Older Adult (65+ years)
Integrity vs. Despair
►On the “other end of life”
►Either feel a sense of
accomplishment in life or
despair and regret for the
things done or not done in life