Both Erik Erikson’s theory and Mary Ainsworth and John Bowlby theory support the idea that early life experiences impact the person across their lifespan. Erikson’s developmental theory discusses the eight stages of life and the forces and values that arise at each stage, which should be developed within this frame. The attachment theory focuses on the interaction an individual has and the impact it may have on their psychological and social development. Both theories believe that personality begins to develop from a young age and therefore occurrences in early life can have lasting impacts on the developmental of an individual.
An individual’s social and psychological development is significantly influenced by early life and childhood experiences. The experiences an individual has as child impacts on the development of social skills, behaviours, morals and values of an individual.
Erikson’s theory, developed in 1963, supports the idea that early life experiences impact an individual across their lifespan. This theory considers that growth of an individual is a result of interaction with the environment, biological maturation and societal influences, therefore, allowing for experiences from early life, to influence an individual throughout their lifespan. Erikson’s theory focuses on eight different developmental stages within a lifespan and in order to progress from one stage to another, an individual must overcome a potential crisis of two opposing forces at each
Eric Erikson developed a theory that divides an individual’s life into eight stages that extend from birth to death (unlike many developmental theories that only cover childhood). Erikson (1902-94)
Erikson’s theory would suggest that Betty’s behavior is externally motivated, being driven by external forces as a child by her parents, and as an adult her husband and her kids. This behavior is motivated by the fact that her parents were unsupportive and condescending and were constantly comparing her to her older brother, who was much more successful in academia. This ultimately led to her dependent lifestyle which needs external forces to drive her behavior. The system of personality primarily involved in the formation of personality is the ego, with a focus on her ego-identity. The ego-identity is how an individual determines who they are and they desire to be. Since Betty is reliant on outside factors to motivate her, in terms of her ego-identity, her ego is impaired.
Erikson believed that people develop in psychosocial stages. He emphasized developmental change throughout the human life span. In Erikson's theory, eight stages of development result as we go through the life span. Each stage consists of a crisis that must be faced. According to Erikson, this crisis is not a catastrophe but a turning point. The more an individual resolves the crises successfully, the healthier development will be.
Erikson’s (1968, 1980, 1982) psychosocial stages of development provide a framework for the different stages of development throughout the human lifespan. These stages of development begin at birth and continue until death, and separate the lifespan into eight stages based on chronological age. Within these eight different aging stages are corresponding psychosocial stages. Each of these psychosocial stages represent a conflict between two characteristics of development for that particular time period in a person’s life.
How does an infant develop into an adult? The answer is not as obvious as it seems. There are a variety of factors that contribute to human development. A person not only grows physically but also cognitively and socio-emotionally. This paper will explain two theories; one cognitive and one socio-emotional; about human development. The two theories will be described, compared, contrasted and individually evaluated based on the strong points and limitations.
Erik Erikson was dabbled in art after he finished high school and then traveled through Europe. He then knew what he wanted to study after his friend suggested him to study psychoanalysis. So he did and later on down the road he received a certificate from Vienna Psychoanalytic Society. He then moved to the United States in 1933 and had a teaching position at Harvard Medical School. He began a private practice in child psychoanalysis. He also held a teaching position at the University of California, Berkeley, Yale, San Francisco Psychoanalytic Institute, Austen Riggs Center, and also the Center for advanced Studies of the Behavioral Sciences. He published many books on his theories and research. He was awarded a Pulitzer Prize and also he
German psychoanalyst Erik Erikson developed eight stages of psychosocial theory of development where the main key to developmental task was “development of identity”. (SITATION HERE). The book “The life Cycle Completed” by Erik H. Erikson emphasizes on how each individuals need to go through trust and mistrust or also known as crisis to get to the right solution, to find their identities. During the early adolescence is when we develop bonding with parent, friend, and romantic partners. In
The severity of interpersonal transaction between caregivers and child reflects heavily on development as well as interaction with other member in society. Raising a child with values, beliefs, political views and religious preference gives a foundation on an individual outlook toward society. However, this shows how significance a caregiver influence how a child development, family has a vital role in molding the life, social development, and behavior of a child personality. Erikson believed that childhood is significant in character development the eight stages of development which he formulated that concentrated on a particular task assign to each stage as you progress through life. These psychosocial development phases we encounter through
To actually witness how Erikson’s Stages of Development theory counterparts with an actual human was mind blowing. Erikson’s precise of understanding of the development stages of a human life span from infancy, early childhood, play age, school, adolescence, young adulthood and maturity analyze the humans’ psychological development that formulate the human personality. Comparing the Development theory to the child that was observed Erikson classified the child was in the early childhood stages meaning the child was either 2-3 years old. According to Erikson the early childhood stage is based on one word “Will”. From observing the child he wanted independence choosing his food, feeding himself and displayed traits of mobility considering the fact he want to run everywhere. The child also displayed social and psychological stability being that he didn’t have a difficult time speaking to others and psychologically he did not perceive any mental issues. The child interaction with his mother and the other woman was very affectionate, playful and normal moment’s considering with a 2-3 year old. Erikson stages of development theory has been very helpful during this observation with facts and
Well, Erikson dedicated his time investigating the development of a child to adulthood. During that process, he recognizes the importance of the first four stages of the life cycle, simply because they are the “prerequisites in physiological growth, mental maturation, and social responsibility to experience and pass through the crisis of identity.” (d’Heurle & Tash, 2004, Pg. 255) Those stages are imperative for his growth, without them, his future could possibly look bleak; ultimately, become troublesome. (d’Heurle & Tash, 2004, Pg. 259) The others were equally important and slightly more reliant on the earlier teachings, which will also prepare the child for either an accomplished life and a hopelessly, depressed and despair life.
Erikson’s psychosocial development theory became the foundation of understanding human development across the lifespan. He hypothesized that individuals who fail to navigate the challenges of developmental tasks deal with
Erikson’s most famous work involves the epigenetic principle, which he explains to be the functioning source for human development and maturation. It is an idea that an individual’s development is governed by a sequence of stages that depend on genetic and heredity factors. He believes one will always continue to develop as it was intended to, as development is endless, in interrelation with its environment. Erikson further explains that as an individual takes their course through the eight stages, and witnesses the various conflicts, it is necessary to understand that each stage has certain optimal time. There is no use in trying to
In conclusion, studying developmental psychology has given me the privilege to increase my knowledge. I could relate my life experiences best to Erikson’s theory. Through the 6 stages, I’ve learned how one is able to transit gracefully from an infant to early adulthood. Each stage has its own significant meaning that is important for a child’s growth and if they do not experience each stage, there is a tendency for them to lose out on the best parts of their
Erik Erikson is known for his psychoanalytic theory of psychosocial development comprising eight stages from infancy to adulthood. Psychologist Erik Erikson, is a major contributor to developmental psychology, who proposed a comprehensive theory of the ways that individuals develop their identity, a sense of who they are, and society's influence on that development. Erikson stated that people go through crisis at each stage of their lives. The stages each had a developmental task to be mastered. As an individual resolved these various crises an individual would have a better harmony with their social environment that they live in. If an individual could not successfully resolve a crisis, they would be” out of step”, and the individual would have a greater difficulty in their dealing with a crisis in the future. Erikson did however recognize that an individual can develop through a stage negatively and still go on with their life. Erikson stated that each of the psychological stages have a basic conflict and important event leading to growth. The theory was developed from his hundreds of clinical observations in children.
For my life journey I have chose to use Eric Erikson’s theory I have decided to use his theory because to me his theory suited my life appropriately. Eric Erikson is a well known theorist from the twentieth century, he has produced many theories. One of his most known and recognized theory is the psychosocial development. This theory describes the steps a person goes through in life. There are nine stages in his theory. Originally his theory only eight steps, but his wife found the last step after his death and published it. The nine stages are: trust vs. mistrust, autonomy vs. shame and doubt, initiative vs. guilt, industry vs. inferiority, identity vs. role confusion, intimacy and soliditary vs. isolation, generativity vs. self absorption and stagnation, and integrity vs. despair. Although, I have not gone through all of these steps yet due to my age I am only twenty two. I will speak about the steps I have gone through so far.