In this Individual Theory Paper, I decided to write about Erikson’s Psychosocial Theory of Development. Erik Erikson is greatly influenced by Freud but instead of concentrating on psychosexual stages, Erikson choose to focus more on the individual’s psychosocial stages as well as their personality development. Psychosocial theory can be defined as a study about human development as an outcome of the interaction in which involves the psychological or the needs of an individual, and the expectations from their society (Merriam-Webster, 2016). Freud’s stage theory was too specifically focused on an individual’s body zones, and he also vaguely discussed about the interaction between children and their significant others wherein Erikson was trying to elaborate by introducing some comprehensible concepts stage by stage in his theory (Crain, 2011). In Erikson’s theory, he tend to highlight the role of society as well as the conflict that can occur, and this made Erikson an ‘ego’ psychologist. An assumption was made that every stage is faced with different conflicts and if the individual fail to resolve it at that time, it will be dragged into their next stages of life. Thus, Erikson suggested a lifespan model of development for his theory that is set well in eight stages. The first stage is the most important development stage and it looks into the individual’s basic trust versus mistrust. This happens during an individual’s infancy period whereby the infant is still uncertain of
In the early 20th-century, interest in the field of child development emerged. Researchers and theorists studied the ways in which children grew, learned, and, in some instances, were shaped by societal influences (Weiland, 1993). The study of child development enables us to appreciate and understand the social, emotional, physical, educational, and cognitive growth that children go through from birth to early adulthood. Grand theories attempt to organize and arrange concepts and aspects of development using a step approach. Such as that of Erik Erikson’s theory, the Psychosocial Identity Development theory, in which he addresses the development of personal, emotional, and social progression in an individual through stages (Pretorius et al., 2015). Erikson’s model for the approach of development involves the focus of overcoming conflicts that individuals encounter over the span of their childhood that influence their ego identity, or the conscious sense of self that develops and constantly changes due to new experiences and information that is acquired through daily interactions with others and events. In Erikson’s theory, he believed that each person experienced a conflict that served as a defining moment in their development that essentially shaped who they would become later on in life; he believed that unresolved problems of adult life echoed unresolved conflicts of one’s childhood (Berger, 2011).
Erikson’s theory of psychosocial development was the first theory that demonstrated the development from “womb-to-tomb.” His theory posited three tenets, the first that each era in life had a developmental crisis, and that at each period there was the opportunity for growth and development. Each developmental stage poses a developmental crisis that is central to that age, and as stated in Erikson’s second tenet, if there is an interruption in the development of one of the stages, the stages following will be effected. Though each developmental stage has one fundamental stage that is being worked on, Erikson’s third tenet states that the challenges of all of the other stages are still present; although there is one crisis that is
The first stage is trust vs. mistrust, this occurs in the first year of life. Infants develop a sense of trust when caregivers provide them with their basic needs, but a lack of this will lead to mistrust. If this stage is successful, the infant gains the virtue of hope. When a baby cries and its mom doesn’t come immediately, it knows the mom will come eventually. If the baby doesn’t develop hope, it instead develops fear, a fear that their mom will never come when they need them. The second stage is autonomy vs. shame and doubt in 1 to 3 year olds. In order for the toddler to reach autonomy, they have to be allowed to investigate and do things for themselves. They will gain confidence and self-control and learn to handle their mistakes. Too much independence is dangerous though since they’re fragile and could get hurt, but smothering and limiting them too much will make them doubt themselves and feel that they are unable to do things. If they feel inadequate, they may become very dependent and lack self-esteem. Balance is key in this and many of the other stages for proper growth. If this stage is successful the child will develop the virtue of will. The third stage is initiative vs. guilt, this
Erikson was a psychologist who was greatly influenced by Freud. Although influenced by Freud there are some differences in there developmental stages. Erikson believed that development in an individual was molded by society, culture, and environment. While Freud’s belief was that development is in some way is influenced by the fixation of sexual interest of different areas of the body. The stages in Erikson’s development theory outline how important social experiences can shape us. While Freud’s theory is mainly based on ones sexuality. Additionally the other significant difference between Erikson’s and Freud’s theories is the outcome of a particular stage. Erikson believed that the outcome of a certain stage was not permanent and that it could be changed later on in life. While Freud presumed that if an individual became fixated on a stage problems associated with that stage would be carried on through life.
No matter who you are I believe that everyone will go through stages in their life that will get them to where they are on today. I am a person who has a very interesting story; this is the first time it will be told in full. We were asked to use Erik Erikson’s theory of development as a guideline to telling the story of our lives. At first I was very nervous; however, I soon realized that this would be a fun task. Erik Erikson has eight stages of Development (Zastrow and Kirst-Ashman). I will be walking you though my life using each one of his stages drawing out the map of my life. Within my life I have had some very interesting encounters. I have been through foster care, abuse, rape, molestation, starvation, adoption, depression, and
Erik Erikson created a theory, in which he created eight stages of development based on Freud’s theory of development. The eight stages are trust vs. mistrust, autonomy vs. shame and doubt, initiative vs. guilt, industry vs. inferiority, ego identity vs. role confusion, intimacy vs. isolation, generativity vs. stagnation, and ego integrity vs. despair. As someone develops in age, going through these stages, it increases in complexity. Erikson believed that each stage becomes a crisis that needs to be solved through self-discovery.
Erik H. Erikson had eight stages of development that he used to identify personality and identity. These stages of development are Infancy—the challenge of trust{versus mistrust), Stage 2: Toddlerhood—the challenge of autonomy (versus doubt and shame), Stage 3: Preschool—the challenge of initiative (versus guilt), Stage 4: Preadolescence—the challenge of industriousness (versus inferiority), Stage 5: Adolescence—the challenge of gaining identity (versus confusion), Stage 6: Young adulthood—the challenge of intimacy (versus isolation), Stage 7: Middle adulthood—the challenge of making a difference (versus self-absorption), and Stage 8: Old age—the challenge of integrity (versus despair). Now that I've given you the stages of development I'm
Just like Sigmund Freud, Erikson believed in the significance of early childhood. However, he believed that an individual’s personality development occurs over the individual’s entire course of life. In the early 1960s, Erik Erikson proposed a theory that provided a description of eight different stages of human development (Scheck, 2014). According to him, in each phase, individuals face new challenges and the outcome of the stage depends on how individuals handle the encountered challenges (Scheck, 2014). The stages are named based on the possible outcomes.
As human beings age, according to Erik Erikson, they go through developmental stages that help to create and transform their personalities. If needs are met and the ego is gratified, then the individual is able to move on to the next challenge. Onward they march in life and in stage until they find the end level: integrity versus despair. This has been categorized as adults 65 years and older by Erikson. Here, people are to reminisce and judge their lives in terms of merit or disappointment. Erikson himself had a lot to comb through in his later years.
Erikson’s theory was based on Freud’s psychosexual theory of ego psychology. He desired to determine that psychosocial development of an individual is due to the interaction between the innermost self, the social, historical, cultural background and the living individual (Seligman & Shanock, 1998). This theory is described basing on principals such as a) Epigenetic Principal, a) Radius of Relationship, b) Psychosocial Crisis, c) Prime Adaptive Ego Qualities and d) Core Pathologies (Newman & Newman,2012). Erikson also described the succession of eight stages of development. They are a) Oral sensory, b) Muscular-anal, c) Loco
In Erik Erikson’s theory he explains that in every stage, a positive or a negative attitude is developed within an individual. During our developing stages we are either successful or we fail. Each stage will come to us whether or not we’re ready for them or not. You can think of the stages as learning stages where crisis occur .Only if we have learned from the previous crisis we are successful. You cannot avoid 1 stage and move to a next stage because of the developing process. The outcome of our lives depends on the way we chose to progress throughout each stage in life. Erikson had his own way in describing each stage in life that we all must go through.
Basic trust or distrust: It is the first stage. This is where the sense of personal and society confidence of the infant is developed through the quality of early care. Good quality early care brings the virtue of hope, which made the foundation for faith.
According to Erikson’s stages of psychosocial development from the ages of 12-18 adolescents are attempting to construct their identity; determining who they are, what they value, and where they fit in society (Berk, 2003, p. 314). For adolescents of color in the United States, this period of identity development takes place in an environment filled with what Young (2013, p. 43) called “the oppression of violence.” Young wrote that the oppression of violence affects both those who have been directly victimized and all members of target groups who live each day knowing that they may become the target of violence due to their group identity. Today’s students of color have every reason to believe that they may become the targets of violence. In 2013 Tamir Rice, a 13-year-old African-American boy, was shot and killed by a white police officer while playing in a park with a toy gun. The officer responsible never faced charges (Smith & Williams, 2015). In 2015 Ahmed Mohamed, a 14-year-old Muslim boy, brought a homemade clock to school to show his teacher. Mohamed was accused of bringing a bomb to school and was arrested. Mohamad’s family moved to Qatar for nine months due to the number of death threats the boy received (Victor, 2016). In 2016 Pedro Villanueva, a 19-year-old Latino man, was shot and killed in his car by undercover police officers who followed him as he left a street racing show (Queally & Parvini, 2016). The news is filled with stories of young people of color
Erik Erikson (1902-1994) provided a new perspective of psychosocial behavior and development while expanding on the works of other theorists. Erikson believed there to be eight stages of psychosocial development which a person transitions through. These stages start at birth and end with old age/death. Erikson’s work is used throughout many outlets of social work. Social workers use this information to help them figure out what is going on with clients and how best to help them. Erikson provides a clear and accurate perception of the various transitions in a person 's psychosocial development.
Erik Erikson’s identification of the several stages of psychosocial development is a brilliant theory. He acknowledged the significance of the unconscious mind and early childhood, as well as, furthered his studies and developed his own ideas. It provides a good base of knowledge for understanding what conflicts individuals may be facing at their particular developmental levels. This involves developing a sense of trust in others, a sense of identity in society, and assisting the next generation for the future. The Erik Erikson’s theory of psychosocial stages of development accuracy can perhaps be demonstrated when reflected to one’s life’s span. I was surprised by the accuracy of the stages when reflected to my own, especially my current stage which is Erikson’s sixth stage (young adulthood, 20 to 39 years old) Intimacy vs Isolation. In this stage, the most important factor is intimate relationships. I can strongly relate to Erikson’s theory of this stage where he asserts, it is not the quantity, but the quality of the relationships that