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Erikson's Theory Of Vocational Psychology

Decent Essays

Vocational Psychology is a concept that emerged in the early twentieth century at the time of industrialization (Vocational Psychology - Career Development - IResearchNet, 2017). It is a specialty within applied psychology, and uses ‘the application of psychological principles to the problems of vocational choice, behaviour, selection and training’ (Definition of VOCATIONAL PSYCHOLOGY, 2017). Vocational behaviour is the nature of how and why individuals choose and adjust to occupations (Munley, 1975). Based on this concept of vocational behaviour Munley (1975), sort to look at it through the life span development theory of Eric Erikson. Erikson's theory states, an individual goes through eight developmental stages, in each of which he must face and cope with a central psychosocial problem or crisis (Plotnik & Kouyoumdjian, 2008). The eight crises outlined by Erikson are: trust versus mistrust, autonomy versus shame and doubt, initiative versus guilt, industry versus inferiority, identity versus identity confusion, intimacy versus isolation, generativity versus stagnation, and ego integrity versus despair (Plotnik & Kouyoumdjian, 2008). Munley (1975) in his article Erik Erikson's theory of psychosocial development and vocational behavior, looked at both concepts set out to explore the relationship between Psychosocial development and vocational behaviour and development. One of the findings showed that individuals who adjusted to vocational choices showed a higher level of

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