Erik Erikson saw life as a series of eight psychosocial crises, each a tug-of-war between two poles. The first two are settled in the crib and on the toddler's own two feet — and the deciding factor is the caregiving climate. Pick a crisis, then drag the slider to see how care tips the balance and whether the stage's virtue takes hold.
Trust vs. Mistrust
Erikson's first two crisespick one, then drag the slider
Caregiving climate ·
Neglectful / controllingAttuned / supportive
Erikson's insight: each crisis is never "solved" once and for all — healthy development is a favorable balance, mostly positive with a small, adaptive dose of the negative. A resolved crisis leaves a lasting virtue (basic strength): Hope from Stage 1, then Will from Stage 2.