Child Development

Psychosocial Stage Theory: (continued)

6. Early Adulthood (Ages 20 to 30): KEY TASK: Intimacy versus Isolation:

1. He seeks to unite his identity with others in the form of committed mutual relationships with friends and family and, in a larger sense, society.


2. CRITICAL RELATIONSHIPS: Partners and friends
3. POSITIVE OUTCOME: His strong sense of self enables him to set aside differences to maintain intimate relationships
4. NEGATIVE OUTCOME: His poor sense of self isolates him and he feels abandoned because of his inability to maintain relationships

7. Middle Adulthood (Ages 30 to 65): KEY TASK: Generativity versus Stagnation:

1. He raises children and focuses on his career to build things of permanence that will go on after he is gone. This is “generativity.”
2. He desires to contribute to the welfare of the world.


3. CRITICAL RELATIONSHIPS: Members of his household and colleagues
4. POSITIVE OUTCOME: He cares for and guides that which he has created
5. NEGATIVE OUTCOME: He is self-centered and uninvolved in the world

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