According to Erik Erikson, how many conflicts are there in emotional development?

Erik Erikson's theory of psychosocial development outlines eight distinct conflicts or stages that individuals navigate throughout their lives. Each stage is characterized by a central conflict that must be resolved to achieve healthy emotional and psychological development. These conflicts highlight the challenges individuals face at different ages, ranging from infancy to late adulthood, and are foundational in understanding how personality and identity develop over time.

The eight conflicts include:

1. Trust vs. Mistrust (Infancy)
2. Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt (Early childhood)
3. Initiative vs. Guilt (Preschool age)
4. Industry vs. Inferiority (School age)
5. Identity vs. Role Confusion (Adolescence)
6. Intimacy vs. Isolation (Young adulthood)
7. Generativity vs. Stagnation (Middle adulthood)
8. Integrity vs. Despair (Maturity)

Each of these stages is crucial for emotional development and emphasizes the importance of social relationships and cultural context in shaping an individual’s psychological growth.