Education
Psychosocial Crisis
A psychosocial crisis, as defined by Erik Erikson’s theory of psychosocial development, is a turning point in a person’s life where they face a conflict between psychological needs and social expectations. These crises occur at different stages of life and include:
- Trust vs. Mistrust (infancy)
- Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt (early childhood)
- Initiative vs. Guilt (preschool years)
- Industry vs. Inferiority (school age)
- Identity vs. Role Confusion (adolescence)
- Intimacy vs. Isolation (young adulthood)
- Generativity vs. Stagnation (middle adulthood)
- Ego Integrity vs. Despair (late adulthood)
Successfully navigating these crises leads to personal growth and the development of important virtues.