What theory describes the development of personality through various stages of life?

Psychosocial Theory, developed by Erik Erikson, outlines that personality develops in a series of stages throughout an individual's lifespan. This theory emphasizes the impact of social relationships and experiences during each stage, suggesting that individuals face specific challenges or conflicts that must be resolved to develop a healthy personality and a strong sense of identity.

Each stage is associated with a particular psychosocial crisis, such as trust vs. mistrust in infancy or intimacy vs. isolation in young adulthood. Successful resolution leads to positive outcomes that contribute to personality development, while failure may hinder personal growth and affect future interactions.

In contrast, the other theories mentioned focus on different aspects of human behavior and development. Social Learning Theory emphasizes learning through observation and imitation without specifically addressing personality development stages. Behaviorism concentrates on observable behaviors and external stimuli, largely ignoring internal processes like personality formation. Finally, Cognitive Development Theory, spearheaded by Jean Piaget, focuses on the evolution of thinking and understanding rather than the psychosocial aspects of personality development. Each of these theories has its unique contributions to psychology, but Psychosocial Theory directly addresses the progressive nature of personality as influenced by social interactions and conflicts across various life stages.