How many stages are in Erikson's psychosocial theory?

• A. 6
• B. 8
• C. 7
• D. 9

Answer: (B)

Erikson's theory outlines eight distinct stages of development, each with its own central psychosocial conflict to resolve across the lifespan. The sequence starts with trust versus mistrust in infancy and progresses through autonomy versus shame and doubt, initiative versus guilt, industry versus inferiority, identity versus role confusion, intimacy versus isolation, generativity versus stagnation, and finally integrity versus despair in late adulthood. This eight-stage structure is why eight is the standard count: the model is built around eight separate periods of development, each representing a unique life phase and task. Fewer than eight would skip a life stage and its defining challenge, while more than eight would imply additional universal conflicts not proposed by Erikson.