In Eriksons first stage of social development, trust versus mistrust, infants require comfort from caregivers to develop a sense of trust towards others and their surroundings. If this comfort is not provided, mistrust will be developed.
Toddlers acquire a sense of independence in their own environments in this stage. This is the stage where children explore and build self-esteem in doing things on their own. According to Erikson, if over-protective parents do not allow toddlers to explore to build autonomy and self-esteem, the toddler experiences shame and doubt.
In this stage, children begin to take initiative in starting complex activities on their own. According to Erikson, If the child is scolded for initiating, guilt ensues. Erikson claims that these guilty feelings are the beginnings of the formation of a child's conscience.
School-aged children develop specialties and skills in this stage. They define themselves based on their abilities. Failure at tasks leads to a feeling of inferiority.
This stage is one of the most important of all of Erikson's stages. Adolescents form their own identities and self-images. People can have many identities in this stage, such as daughter, friend, actress and skater. Relationships, hobbies, jobs, and socioeconomic statuses are used to form identities. According to Erikson, adolescents try to find their true identities in this stage of development.
Intimacy is learned in this stage of development through relationships. These can be sexual relationships, friendships or familial relationships. If intimacy is not attained, the outcome is a feeling of isolation.
Generativity is obtained in this stage by being a productive member of society. If career, personal or family goals are not met, a feeling of stagnation ensues.
In this stage, an individual looks back evaluates his or her lives as a whole. Integrity is reached when a person is content with the life that they led; a feeling of despair takes over when an individual feels like his or her life was not fruitful.