Who developed the psychosocial stages of development theory?

The psychosocial stages of development theory was developed by Erik Erikson. This theory outlines eight distinct stages that individuals go through from infancy to adulthood, each characterized by specific conflicts and tasks that must be resolved for healthy psychological development. Erikson emphasized the role of social experience across a person's entire lifespan, suggesting that personality development continues throughout life rather than being completed in early childhood, as proposed by Freud.

Erikson's stages include challenges such as trust vs. mistrust in infancy, autonomy vs. shame and doubt in early childhood, and identity vs. role confusion in adolescence, among others. Each stage represents a critical period for personal development, where successful resolution contributes to a stronger sense of self and a healthier personality.

While other figures such as Freud, Piaget, and Kohlberg made significant contributions to psychological theory, their work focused on different aspects of human development. Freud's theories primarily centered on psychosexual development, Piaget focused on cognitive development in children, and Kohlberg studied moral development. Erikson's holistic approach to psychosocial challenges sets his work apart, making him the key figure associated with the psychosocial stages of development.