How many stages are there in Erik Erikson's psychosocial development theory?

How many stages are there in Erik Erikson's psychosocial development theory?

• A. Five
• B. Eight
• C. Nine
• D. Seven

Answer: (B)

Erikson's psychosocial development theory defines eight stages, each presenting a distinct psychosocial crisis that helps shape personality across a lifetime. The sequence runs from infancy to old age and includes trust versus mistrust, autonomy versus shame and doubt, initiative versus guilt, industry versus inferiority, identity versus role confusion, intimacy versus isolation, generativity versus stagnation, and integrity versus despair. This eight-stage framework is the standard count used in most studies and practice, distinguishing it from any variants that merge or omit stages.

Erikson's psychosocial development theory defines eight stages, each presenting a distinct psychosocial crisis that helps shape personality across a lifetime. The sequence runs from infancy to old age and includes trust versus mistrust, autonomy versus shame and doubt, initiative versus guilt, industry versus inferiority, identity versus role confusion, intimacy versus isolation, generativity versus stagnation, and integrity versus despair. This eight-stage framework is the standard count used in most studies and practice, distinguishing it from any variants that merge or omit stages.