During which life stage is the ego mainly developed according to Erikson's psychosocial development stages?

In Erikson's psychosocial development theory, the ego is primarily developed during the stage of infancy. This stage, termed "Trust vs. Mistrust," occurs from birth to approximately 18 months. During this critical phase, the infant’s basic needs must be met by caregivers. A strong, dependable foundation enables the development of a healthy ego, fostering trust in the world and forming the basis for future interpersonal relationships.

If an infant receives consistent and reliable care, it leads to the development of a strong sense of trust, which is crucial for successfully navigating later stages of development. On the other hand, if the infant experiences neglect or inconsistent caregiving, it can result in mistrust and difficulties in developing a positive ego identity.

The life stages mentioned in the other options, such as adolescence, middle adulthood, and old age, involve different psychosocial challenges and shifts in identity but do not focus on the foundational ego development that occurs in infancy.