Category: Erikson

Identity vs role confusion is the fifth stage of Erik Erikson’s theory of psychosocial development, occurring during adolescence between ages 12 and 18. During this stage, teenagers explore their independence and develop a sense of self. Success in this stage leads to the virtue of fidelity—the ability to commit to others and accept others despite ideological differences—while failure results in...

Generativity vs Stagnation is the seventh stage of Erik Erikson’s theory of psychosocial development, occurring during middle adulthood (ages 40 to 65). Generativity is the drive to create or nurture things that will outlast you — raising children, mentoring others, or contributing meaningfully to society. Stagnation is the failure to find that sense of contribution, leading to disconnection, lack of...

Integrity vs despair is the eighth and final stage in Erik Erikson’s theory of psychosocial development, occurring in late adulthood (ages 65 and up). At this stage, people look back on their lives and ask a fundamental question: did it mean something? Those who can answer yes — who can accept both their achievements and their regrets as part of...