Erikson's stages of development are the idea that we learn different fundamental personality traits as we grow up through psychosocial crises. These traits start to build as soon as we are born; from birth to 18 months, we are taught trust and mistrust through feeding. In early childhood (2-3 years of age), we are taught autonomy and shame through toilet training. In Preschool (3-5 years of age), we are taught initiative and guilt through exploration. From age 6 to11, we learn about industry and inferiority through school. In adolescence, we learn identity and role confusion through social relationships. In our young adult years, we learn about Intimacy and Isolation through relationships. Then in later adulthood, we learn generativity (promoting wellbeing for younger generations) and stagnation from work and parenthood. Then from 65 to death, we know ego integrity and despair from reflection on life. What is important to note about all of these is that you are not 100% one or the other; you are simply just on one side of a scale.
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