What did Erik Erikson propose about the stages of personality development?

Erik Erikson proposed a comprehensive model of personality development that consists of eight distinct psychosocial stages, each characterized by a unique conflict or challenge that individuals must navigate. This framework emphasizes that personality evolves over the entire lifespan, from infancy through late adulthood. Each stage represents a critical period where the individual faces a specific developmental task that influences their sense of self and social relationships. Successfully resolving these conflicts leads to the acquisition of virtues or strengths that contribute to overall psychological health.

This perspective highlights the lifelong nature of personality development, contrasting with models that suggest development is limited to early years or that personality changes are abrupt and instantaneous. Understanding Erikson's stages allows for a deeper appreciation of how social experiences shape individual growth throughout varying life stages.