Stages of Psychosocial Development

The stages of psychosocial development, proposed by Erik Erikson, describe how people grow emotionally and socially throughout life. Each stage presents a key conflict or challenge, such as trust versus mistrust in infancy or identity versus confusion in adolescence. Successfully navigating these challenges helps develop positive traits like confidence, independence, and resilience. If challenges aren’t resolved well, it can affect future relationships and personal growth. These stages emphasize that social and emotional experiences at different ages shape our overall personality and ability to handle life's complexities.