Understanding Erikson’s 8 Stages of Development Erikson’s theory suggests that your ego identity develops throughout your entire life during eight specific stages: Infancy – Basic trust ...

Following Erik Erikson's eight psychosocial stages, intimacy is his sixth stage, in which a person becomes internally ready to enter into a close relationship with another (1950, 1968, 1982).

Back when Erikson first came out with this theory, it was revolutionary. This was the first truly lifespan theory of development, describing essential phases of growth right up until the end-of-life.