Erickson's Stages of Development

There are many ways one can describe the stages we go through during our lives. Psychologist Erik Erickson managed to succinctly describe the stages we go through, from birth to over age 65. His stages of development can be helpful when trying to understand what a person of a certain age may be going through developmentally.

Erickson's first stage of development is basic trust vs. mistrust. Until age one, a child learns basic trust, which is aided by their parents providing consistent and adequate care. If the parent does not provide such nurturing care, the child may learn to distrust the world to some extent.

The next stage identified by Erickson occurs from age one to three. The autonomy vs. shame and doubt stage is all about learning a basic sense of autonomy. If a child is gradually guided and praised in their attempts to be independent, the sense of autonomy will follow. If the opposite happens, the child may develop shame and doubt instead.

From the ages of four to five, children experience the initiative vs. guilt stage. As a child becomes more curious about their world, they will probably try to show initiative. If parents are supportive of this the child's sense of initiative will grow; otherwise, feelings of inhibition and guilt can result.

Children then move on to the industry vs. inferiority stage, which can last until the age of 12. As a child adjusts to being in school and behaving appropriately, supportive parenting can increase a child's sense of competence (industry).

Erickson believed that kids move into the identity vs. role confusion stage next; this can last until age 19. Teenagers typically experiment a lot when trying to find their identity. A nurturing environment can help guide their search while a lack of support can lead to role confusion.

At approximately age 20 to 24, young adults often experience the intimacy vs. isolation stage. During this stage, people either learn to have close, loving relationships or develop exclusion or promiscuity. Being able to have successful intimate relationships is in part based on the successful development of an identity.