There are nine stages in Jane Loevinger's theory of ego development that are defined according to character growth, ways of relating to others, thinking and conscious concerns. They progress as follows:

1. Pre-social/symbiotic (infancy) - child is most concerned with having immediate needs met (food, drink, comfort)

2. Impulsive (toddlers) - child is very focused on own needs ("ecocentric")

3. Self-protective (early to middle childhood) - child tends to be manipulative, blames others for something not going the way it is supposed to, has a "do what I want, but don't get caught" attitude

4. Conformist conscientious/conformist (age 5 or 6 and late elementary age) - child wants to belong and seek approval; feels shame if he/or she does not meet expectations of others

5. Self-aware (adults) - person has the ability to think about issues based on his/or her own judgment (not based on what parents and friends think); forms an appreciation of his/or her own uniqueness

6. Conscientious - individual values personal responsibility, achievements, and goals; if one's own standards/expectations are not met, then the individual feels guilt

7. Individualistic - individual shifts focus to forming relationships; tolerance and respect for others' individuality (may lead to inner conflict as one's own standards and needs in a relationship may be different from the other person)

8. Autonomous - individual appreciates and values individuality of self and others; conflicts are seen as a part of life and are seen as being easier to deal with at this stage

9. Integrated - individual expresses empathy and understanding toward others and self; able to accept that some problems will never be solved