In Erikson's Theory, what does each stage present?

• A. A unique developmental task and a crisis to be resolved
• B. A cognitive milestone
• C. A behavioral cue
• D. A spiritual belief

Answer: (A)

Each stage in Erikson's theory centers on a specific developmental task paired with a psychosocial crisis that must be resolved to progress healthily. Working through the crisis yields a positive virtue that supports later growth, while unresolved conflict can create challenges later on. This framework isn’t about cognitive milestones (that’s more associated with Piaget), nor is it about a behavioral cue or a particular spiritual belief. Instead, it focuses on how each stage asks you to navigate a unique challenge—like trust versus mistrust in infancy or identity versus role confusion in adolescence—and how successfully solving it shapes personality and functioning.