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Erik Erikson was a psychologist who believed that development is influenced by our social experiences and relationships. He believed that our personalities develop in stages and that each stage is dependent upon the one before it. Each stage presents a conflict that affects personal growth. If the conflict is overcome, the individual may acquire certain virtues at each stage.

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Conflict: autonomy vs. shame and doubt
Virtue: Will

During this stage, a child learns to have more control over their body. Their fine motor skills improve, they learn to walk and talk, and they become potty-trained. Mastering those skills helps build self-esteem and autonomy.

If a parent does not allow their child to have appropriate independence or if a parent shames their child when accidents occur, the child will begin to feel self-conscious and inadequate.

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Conflict: initiative vs. guilt
Virtue: Purpose

During this stage, the child is assertive and takes more initiative in order to gain independence. Children play pretend and try to mimic adults. When parents lend more control and allow their children to explore their curiosities, they will feel more confident and able to lead.

It is imperative that children are given the responsibility they crave, no matter how small, or a sense of guilt may develop. They may feel that everything they try to do is wrong, and they may easily experience guilt.

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Conflict: industry vs inferiority
Virtue: Competence

At this stage, children begin school and have a need to be productive and succeed. Interaction with peers is important. When children are encouraged by their peers and parents, they feel more competent and confident that they can succeed.

When children have little to no interaction with peers or little to no encouragement, they may begin to feel inferior and they may doubt their ability to succeed.

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Conflict: identity vs. confusion
Virtue: Fidelity

Adolescents are in search of their identity in this stage; they are trying to figure out who they are, what they believe in, and how to make decisions on their own. If someone had success overcoming conflicts  in earlier stages, they are more likely to be successful in developing their sense of identity. In this stage, people become less dependent on their parents and family and more reliant on their peers.

If navigating this stage is difficult or unsuccessful, adolescents may experience role confusion, meaning they become unsure of themselves and where they fit in society. They may begin to question their beliefs, decisions, sexual orientation, and more.

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Conflict: intimacy vs. isolation
Virtue: Love

For young adults, love relationships are important. Intimacy in general is important. They crave to build deep, emotional, mutual bonds with not only a romantic interest, but with friends as well. When a young adult has developed their sense of identity, they find more success in building intimate relationships, which in turn makes them more willing to be open and committed to that relationship.

When young adults do not have a developed identity, or if they had trouble solving the conflicts in any of the previous stages, intimacy is difficult or impossible to achieve. This may lead to isolation, fear of commitment, loneliness, and even depression.

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Conflict: generativity vs. stagnation
Virtue: Care

Generativity is an adult's ability to care for another person. Adults want to care for and support the next generation, whether or not they are a parent. They want to create positive change for the future as they focus on their career and family.

When adults are not active in their home or in their community, or if they do not feel useful or accomplished, they may feel stagnant and unproductive. It may be difficult for them to feel like their life has meaning.

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Conflict: integrity vs. despair
Virtue: Wisdom

When an adult reaches maturity, they reflect on their life and decide whether or not they are happy with the life they lived. Those who feel fulfilled, accomplished, and proud will have a sense of integrity. When nearing the end of their life, they may have little to no regrets and have a sense of peace about the life they lived. They will be much less likely to fear death.

If someone is unhappy with their life or if they feel unfulfilled, they may feel despair and regret. They may feel like they failed in certain areas of life, and they may also fear death.

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Conflict: trust vs. mistrust
Virtue: Hope

If an infant experiences a loving and caring environment from their caregivers, they are much more likely to develop trust and feel safe and secure. When this happens, the child will believe that their life is meaningful and they have a right to be here.

If this does not happen, they will learn to mistrust the world and may feel worthless, later having self-esteem issues and becoming withdrawn.