fei75766_ch07_206-241.indd 214  02/06/20 11:52 AM
Part II    Psychodynamic Theories214
Sixth, events inearlier stages donotcause laterpersonality development. Egoiden-
tityisshaped byamultiplicity of conflicts and events —past, present, andanticipated.
Seventh, during eachstage, butespecially from adolescence forward, personal -
itydevelopment ischaracterized byanidentity crisis, which Erikson (1968) called “a
turning point, acrucial period ofincreased vulnerability andheightened potential” 
(p.96).Thus, during eachcrisis, aperson isespecially susceptible tomajor modifica -
tions inidentity, either positive ornegative. Contrary topopular usage, anidentity 
crisis isnotacatastrophic event butrather anopportunity foreither adaptive ormal-
adaptive adjustment.
Erikson’s eight stages ofpsychosocial development areshown inFigure 7.2.
Theboldfaced capitalized words aretheegoqualities orbasic strengths thatemerge 
from theconflicts orpsychosocial crises thattypify eachperiod. The“vs.”separat -
ingsyntonic anddystonic elements signifies notonlyanantithetical relationship but
alsoacomplementary one.Only theboxes along thediagonal arefilled in;thatis,
Figure 7.2highlights onlythebasic strengths andpsychosocial crises thataremost 
H A
Old Age
VIII
MATURITY 
Adulthoo d
VII
Young
Adulthoo d
VI
Adolescence
V
PUBERTY AN D
ADOLESCENCE
School Age
IV
LATENC Y
Play Age
III
LOCOMO TOR
GENIT AL
Early
Childhood
II
MUSCULAR
ANAL
Infancy
I
ORA L
SENSOR YBC DE FG
Basic Trust
vs.
basic mistrust
HOPEEgo Integrity
vs.
despair
WISDOM
Generativity
vs.
stagnatio n
Self-Absorptio n
CARE
Intimacy
vs.
isolation
LOVE
Identity
vs.
confusio n
FIDELITY
Industr y
vs.
inferiorit y
COMPETENCE
Initiative
vs.
guilt
PURPOSE
Autonomy
vs.
shame, doubt
WILL
FIGURE 7.2   Erikson’s Eight Stages of Development with Their Appropriate Basic Strengths 
and Psychosocial Crises.
Source: Erikson, ErikH.The Life Cycle Completed .NewYork, NY:W.W.Norton, 1982.Final PDF to printer