What are the stages of Erikson's Psychosocial Development?

In Erikson's theory of psychosocial development, the stages indeed encompass key conflicts that individuals face throughout their lifespan, including trust, autonomy, and initiative. Each stage represents a critical challenge or task that must be resolved to foster healthy psychological development.

For example, the first stage involves trust versus mistrust, where infants learn to trust their caregivers and the world around them. As children progress, they confront autonomy versus shame and doubt, which focuses on developing a sense of personal control and independence. Initiative versus guilt follows, where children are encouraged to assert themselves and initiate activities, leading to a sense of leadership and planning.

This framework emphasizes that psychosocial development continues throughout one's life, affecting personality and behavior well into adulthood. Recognizing these specific conflicts and their resolutions is critical for understanding Erikson's perspective on human development and the factors that contribute to one's sense of self and relationship dynamics in society.