Name: _________________________

Erik Erikson’s Eight Stages of Development

Infancy Trust vs. Feeding Children develop a sense of trust when
(birth to 18 Mistrust caregivers provide reliabilty, care, and
months) affection. A lack of this will lead to
mistrust.
Early Autonomy Toilet Children need to develop a sense of
Childhood (2 vs. Shame Training personal control over physical skills
to 3 years) and Doubt and a sense of independence. Success
leads to feelings of autonomy, failure
results in feelings of shame and doubt.
Preschool (3 Initiative vs. Exploration Children need to begin asserting
to 5 years) Guilt control and power over the
environment. Success in this stage
leads to a sense of purpose. Children
who try to exert too much power
experience disapproval, resulting in a
sense of guilt.
School Age Industry vs. School Children need to cope with new social
(6 to 11 Inferiority and academic demands. Success leads
years) to a sense of competence, while failure
results in feelings of inferiority.
Adolescence Identity vs. Social Teens needs to develop a sense of self
(12 to 18 Role Relationship and personal identity. Success leads to
years) Confusion s an ability to stay true to yourself, while
failure leads to role confusion and a
weak sense of self.
Young Intimacy vs. Relationship Young adults need to form intimate,
Adulthood Isolation s loving relationships with other people.
(19 to 40 Success leads to strong relationships,
years) while failure results in loneliness and
isolation.
MY TIMELINE
Stage One: Write one paragraph about your life, your parents, your family during
the time you were born to 18 months old. Do you feel like you trust or do not trust
your environment and relationships?
Stage Two: Write one paragraph about your life, your parents, your family
(anything that comes to mind) when you were ages 2-3 years old. Do you feel
proud of yourself or do you have any shame or doubt?

Stages Three: Write one paragraph about your life, your parents, your family (any
obstacles or challenges or fun experiences you remember when you were ages 3-5
years old. Do you feel guilty about things or do you feel good about things?

Stage Four: Write one paragraph about your life, parents, siblings, family, friends
(any obstacles or challenges or fun experiences that come to mind) when you were
ages 6 to 11 years old. Do you feel inferior about some things or do you feel like
you are very industrious?
Stage Five: Write one paragraph about your life, (parents, siblings, family, friends,
boyfriends, girlfriends, teachers, etc.) that comes to mind at the ages of 12-18 years
old. Do you feel good about your identity and who you are, or do you have a
problem with what roles you play sometimes?

Stage Six: Write one paragraph about your relationships, (parents, siblings, family,
friends, boyfriends, girlfriends, teachers, etc.) that come to mind. Do you have a
problem being around people and/or do you enjoy being by yourself?