What Are Skills in Psychosocial Development?

Erik Erikson hypothesized that in order to develop to the maximum potential, a person must pass through eight distinct stages of psychosocial development during his life. Each of these stages is characterized by a particular challenge where a skill must be mastered in order to move on to the next stage. If the stage is not resolved, that person may experience neuroticism, and may have difficulties in interpersonal relationships.

Stage One: Trust vs. Mistrust

• In the first stage, the child must form a solid, trusting relationship with his caregiver. The child is entirely dependent on the caregiver at this point, so the child's ability to trust others relies on effective parenting. The skill that arises from successfully learning to trust your caregiver, and subsequently the world in general, is hope.

Stage Two: Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt

• Erikson noted that stage two usually occurs between 18 months and 3 years, when a child becomes a bit more independent, and begins making choices. Skills developed during this second stage in order to attain a sense of autonomy are motor control, toilet training and willpower.

Stage Three: Initiative vs. Guilt

• Approximately between the ages of three and five, a child learns to assert herself and make up games. Children plan activities themselves, and engage in goal-setting with other children. Here, leadership skills are developed, as well as decision-making and self-initiative skills. Competence is the overall strength that arises from success in the third stage of Erikson's model.

Stage Four: Industry vs. Inferiority

• Erikson places the fourth stage around ages six through 14. Through school and work, the child will learn to feel pride in his achievements. A child can develop confidence, if he does not succumb to self-doubt, and will accumulate competence.

Stage Five: Identity vs. Role Confusion

• At around age 12, a person becomes aware of how she appears to other people, and conscious of how values and life choices reflect her as a person. Erikson says that she will learn the skill of fidelity, as she develops philosophies for living, and becomes comfortable with her sense of her own identity.

Stage Six: Intimacy vs. Isolation

• In the sixth stage of development, which Erikson places at around ages 22-30, a person's ability to make and sustain relationships is challenged. A person must learn to explore long-term relationships, and avoid fear of commitment and fear of intimacy, in order to gain the skill of love.

Stage Seven: Generativity vs. Stagnation

• Generativity refers to a person's ability to improve society for the future, and Erikson says that somewhere between ages 30 and 70, a person must do something to support the next generation in order to achieve care-giving skills. To avoid your responsibilities to your community and children means that you might feel unproductive and lacking in purpose.

Stage Eight: Ego Integrity vs. Despair

• Erikson says that the final challenge of a person's life, which often arises at around age 70, is to become confident in his moral values, purpose in life and overall successes. If a person experiences residual guilt or regret, he might become depressed or feel hopeless. The person must become skilled in seeing his life in a cohesive way, and feeling contented with the world. Erikson labels the desired skill, or virtue, as wisdom.