US High School Psychology Complete Practice Exam 2025

Erik Erikson's theory focuses on psychosocial development, which emphasizes the impact of social interactions and relationships across the lifespan. His model outlines eight distinct stages, each characterized by a specific conflict that must be resolved to foster healthy psychological growth. These stages span from infancy, where trust versus mistrust is developed, to late adulthood, focusing on integrity versus despair.

This psychosocial approach highlights how an individual's identity and sense of self are shaped by social influences and cultural contexts, making it distinctive compared to other developmental theories. For instance, cognitive stages, associated primarily with Jean Piaget, focus on how thinking evolves, while psychosexual stages, developed by Sigmund Freud, center on drives and sexual development. Behavioral stages, often related to learning theories, emphasize observable behavior rather than internal psychological conflicts.

Thus, Erikson’s emphasis on the interplay between psychological development and social interaction underscores the importance of personal relationships in shaping an individual's development throughout their life.