Erik Erikson's theory primarily addresses which aspect of development?

Erik Erikson's theory primarily focuses on emotional development conflicts, known as psychosocial development. He proposed that individuals navigate through eight developmental stages from infancy to adulthood, each characterized by a central conflict that must be resolved for healthy psychological and emotional growth.

For instance, the first stage involves trust versus mistrust, where the caregiver's reliability leads to a sense of trust in the child. Successfully resolving this conflict contributes to a strong foundation for emotional stability throughout life. Each subsequent stage introduces new challenges, such as autonomy versus shame or identity versus role confusion, all emphasizing the interplay between emotional experiences and social relationships.

While cognitive conflicts, physical growth issues, and social skills development are important aspects of overall development, they are not the primary focus of Erikson's model. His approach is distinctly centered on how emotional challenges, influenced by social interactions, shape an individual's identity and development throughout their lifespan.