Final answer:
Erik Erikson divided the human lifespan into eight stages of psychosocial development, with unique tasks at each stage that influence personality development and a sense of competence.
Step-by-step explanation:
The lifespan was divided into eight stages by psychologist Erik Erikson, who proposed the psychosocial theory of development. Erikson's model begins at birth and concludes with death. During these stages, individuals are believed to encounter various psychosocial tasks that they must resolve to develop a healthy personality.
In contrast to Freud's emphasis on psychosexual stages, Erikson focused on the impact of social interactions and societal factors on personality development. Each psychosocial stage presents a unique challenge, and the successful completion of each developmental task results in a stronger sense of competence and a well-rounded personality.
For example, in late adulthood, Erikson identified the task of integrity versus despair, where individuals reflect on their lives. Success in this stage leads to feelings of fulfillment, while failure might result in regret and despair. Overall, this lifespan development theory has been influential in understanding how personality evolves throughout a person's life.