Erik Erikson's Theory of Personality Development

Stage 8

Late Adulthood Age 65-death

Crisis Ego Integrity vs. despair

Stage 6

Early Adulthood Age 19-40

Crisis Intimacy vs. Isolation

Positive outcome: If the person is able to accept their life as it has been, with all it's joys and disappointments, they will accept death with a sense of integrity.

Positive outcome: If they've achieved a sense of identity, young adults are able to integrate their life with the lives of others. The formation of close friendships and adult sexual relationships is vital to healthy development.

Stage 7

Middle Adulthood Age 40-65

Negative outcome: If not, the adult will despair and fear death.

Crisis Generativity vs. Stagnation

Positive outcome: Adults can solve this crisis by having and nurturing children, or helping the next generation in other ways.

Negative outcome: If not, they will fear commitment, feel isolated, and be unable to depend on anyone.

Negative outcome: If this crisis is not solved successfully, the adult will remain self-centered and experience stagnation later in life.

Adolescence Age 12-18

Stage 5

Crisis Identity vs. Role Confusion

Positive outcome: If the adolescent can successfully complete this stage, they will have developed a strong identity and are ready to plan for their future.

Stage 4

Negative outcome: If not, the adolescent will sink into confusion and be unsure about their role in life.

School-Age Child Age 6-12

Crisis Competence vs. Inferiority

Positive outcome: If children can discover pleasure in working hard to develop their skills and talents, they will develop a sense of competence.

Negative outcome: If not, then this crisis can result in a sense of inferiority.

Erik Erikson's Theory of Personality Development

Stage 3

By: Taylor Kwan

Early Childhood Age 2-6

Crisis Initiative vs. Guilt

Stage 1

Infancy Age 0-1

Positive outcome: If parents are encouraging, children will learn to act with a sense of purpose and be able to initiate actions on their own.

Crisis Trust vs. Mistrust

Negative outcome: If not, then a sense of guilt may develop.

Positive outcome: If parents are able to maintain a supportive, nurturing, and loving environment, child will learn to trust others and feel secure in the world

Negative outcome: If not, child will develop mistrust towards people and things in their environment.

Toddler Age 1-2

Stage 2

Crisis Independence vs. Shame

Positive outcome: Positive encouragement will help children develop a healthy attitude towards independence.

Negative outcome: If parents are disapproving of child's independent efforts, shame and doubt are likely to develop.