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Psychology · Chapter 9

Erikson's Stages & Attachment

Erik Erikson mapped the whole lifespan as eight psychosocial stages — each a conflict, or "crisis," between a healthy pole and an unhealthy one. Resolving each in favor of the healthy side builds a lasting strength, or virtue. Step through all eight, then tap the four infant attachment styles from Mary Ainsworth's research.

The psychosocial crisis

Healthy pole—
Unhealthy pole—
Eight stages across the lifespanpress Next to begin
Age—
Life stage—
Virtue gained—

Attachment styles — tap to explore

Building on John Bowlby's attachment theory, Mary Ainsworth watched infants briefly separated from and reunited with a caregiver — the "Strange Situation." Their reactions fall into four patterns.
Why attachment matters The bond an infant forms with a caregiver becomes a working model for later relationships. The style depends largely on how sensitive and responsive that caregiver is. Tap one above.