Erik Erikson · Eight Stages of Psychosocial Development · Insights from Alistair Horscroft
I
0 – 18 mo
Trust vs. Mistrust
Hope
II
18 mo – 3 yr
Autonomy vs. Shame
Will
III
3 – 5 yr
Initiative vs. Guilt
Purpose
IV
5 – 12 yr
Industry vs. Inferiority
Competence
V
12 – 18 yr
Identity vs. Role Confusion
Fidelity
VI
18 – 40 yr
Intimacy vs. Isolation
Love
VII
40 – 65 yr
Generativity vs. Stagnation
Care
VIII
65+ yr
Integrity vs. Despair
Wisdom
Each stage poses a developmental task. Resolved, it grants a virtue that carries forward. Unresolved, it loops back — appearing in adulthood as the patterns we cannot quite explain. The Reflector helps you see which stages are still asking for your attention.