Erik Erikson's psychosocial stages are a series of eight developmental conflicts that individuals face throughout their lives. Each stage represents a critical challenge that must be resolved for healthy psychological development. The stages range from trust vs. mistrust in infancy to integrity vs. despair in old age, highlighting the importance of social relationships and personal growth. Each stage builds on the outcomes of previous ones, influencing an individual's ability to cope with future challenges. Successful resolution of these conflicts leads to a stronger sense of self and well-being, while failure can result in difficulties in later stages of life.