Which theorist proposed eight psychosocial stages spanning the lifespan?

• A. Erik Erikson
• B. Sigmund Freud
• C. Jean Piaget
• D. Lawrence Kohlberg

Answer: (A)

The main concept being tested is which theorist mapped out a life-span theory with a sequence of eight psychosocial stages, each presenting a central conflict to resolve. Erik Erikson developed this framework, extending development from infancy through old age and tying personality growth to the social and emotional challenges people face at each life stage. This makes him the best fit, because his model explicitly spans the entire lifespan and centers on psychosocial rather than purely biological or cognitive changes. The eight stages cover conflicts such as trust versus mistrust in infancy, autonomy versus shame in toddlerhood, initiative versus guilt in early childhood, industry versus inferiority in school-age years, identity versus role confusion in adolescence, intimacy versus isolation in young adulthood, generativity versus stagnation in middle adulthood, and integrity versus despair in later life.

By contrast, Freud’s theory centers on psychosexual stages rooted in early childhood drives, Piaget describes cognitive development with stages focused on thinking and reasoning, and Kohlberg outlines moral development. None of these propose eight psychosocial stages spanning the entire life course.