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

• A. Six
• B. Eight
• C. Ten
• D. Seven

Answer: (B)

Erikson's psychosocial development theory identifies eight stages that span from infancy to late adulthood. Each stage centers on a key psychosocial crisis—the social and emotional challenge of that period—and resolving it contributes to a lasting virtue. The stages, in order, are trust vs. mistrust (hope) in infancy; autonomy vs. shame and doubt (will) in toddlerhood; initiative vs. guilt (purpose) in early childhood; industry vs. inferiority (competence) in school-age years; identity vs. role confusion (fidelity) during adolescence; intimacy vs. isolation (love) in young adulthood; generativity vs. stagnation (care) in middle adulthood; and integrity vs. despair (wisdom) in later life. Therefore, the theory proposes eight stages. Options proposing fewer or more stages don’t fit the model because they don’t align with Erikson’s span from infancy through late adulthood.