Levinson's Theory

Erikson's stages of psychosocial development, as articulated by Erik Erikson, in collaboration with Joan Erikson,[1] is a comprehensive psychoanalytic theory that identifies a series of eight stages, in which a healthy developing individual should pass through from infancy to late adulthood. All stages are present at birth but only begin to unfold according to both a natural scheme and one's ecological and cultural upbringing. In each stage, the person confronts, and hopefully masters, new challenges. Each stage builds upon the successful completion of earlier stages. The challenges of stages not successfully completed may be expected to reappear as problems in the future.

During our lives, everyone goes through a change and evolves in different ways. However, in the field of psychology as far as development, the process of growing and maturing has been previously linked only with childhood. One of the first theorists Erik Erickson felt that development continues throughout life. Erickson believes that each stage in life resembles to specific opportunities that the society might have. Erickson’s theory defines the impact of social involvement across the entire lifespan. Each stage of Erikson’s stages is unique in their own way. Erikson decided to present eight different stages of the psychosocial crisis for almost each age group.

Erikson viewed the lifespan through the presentation of a series of conflicts that must be resolved. His theory introduces eight different stages throughout an individual’s lifespan. As individual’s progress through these stages, categorized by age, they are presented with conflict at each stage of development. The crises can be resolved in a positive or negative manner, which determines future function of the individual. Erikson’s theory is psychosocial in nature because these crises involve psychological needs of the individual conflicting with the needs of society (Cronin & Mandich, 2016).

Development refers to a series of age-related changes that occur over an individual’s life course. Several famous psychologists such as Erik Erikson, Sigmund Freud, Lawrence Kohlberg, and Jean Piaget describe development of an individual as a series of phases or stages. In this case, a stage refers to a period in development in which individuals exhibit typical patterns in behavior and establish certain capabilities. The various stages of development as outlined in various developmental theories and concepts that would be analyzed in the paper share three main assumptions. The firs assumption that individuals go through stages in a given order, with each phase

Adolescence is considered a difficult time of life and one in which a number of changes occur as the individual achieves a certain integration of different aspects of personality. One approach to the cognitive and emotional transitions made at different times of life is to consider how the changes in, say, adolescence are linked to a continuum of change beginning in childhood and continuing throughout life. Some theorists, such as Piaget, were interested primarily in the transitions of childhood and youth, while others, such as Erikson, saw all of life as a series of transitions and offered a continuum of stages covering all of life.

Consider the life stage theories of Daniel Levinson and then write a paragraph about your current life stage and whether you agree or disagree with his theory. Write a paragraph explaining your answer.

The definition of Human Growth and Development is the science of study of growth, stability, and change in a person from conception till death (Santrock, 2010). Throughout the study of psychology and human growth came with different theories on how a person grows physically, cognitively, and psycho-socially. One of the most familiar theories comes from Sigmund Freud, the idea of having a ego, superego, and id, in which the mind had three phases it could go into (Brown, 1948). Most of Freud’s work involved women and repressed memories stating back to ones childhood. Jean Piaget proposed a developmental theory that last from birth well into the adolescent age or how

The final stage in Levinson’s Theory is late adulthood. In this stage individuals begin to reflect on their life, this includes their successes and failures, as well as, they begin to enjoy what’s left of their life. This is evident in Lynwood’s story as he looks back over his life. My father knew that he could have done more to keep his family together; but things in life do not always go as planned. However, he still thinks about my mother and his children as the best times of his life. Also, in this stage it is clear that he is trying to leave a positive legacy behind for those who will follow. He accomplishes this task through sharing what he has learned throughout the years in hopes that he can reach someone. Finally, late adulthood ties to my father’s life in regards to trying to enjoy the rest of his life. My dad finds time to seek solace in the Creator. He enjoys reading his bible, attending worship services and praying. Likewise, he takes pleasure in being surrounded by his family. His grandchildren enjoy receiving his undivided attention and the love he pours into them. Late adulthood

Life is created when one man and woman come together to perform the arts of love, and nine months later a precious infant is born. The child will grow up to learn the ways of life. They will learn how to response to their environment from the time they open their eyes to the time they pass on. Life is an advantage with many obstacles and learning opportunities. As years have passed, many scientists have developed studies and theories to explain the stages of life and why people act or response to certain things like the way they do. This is my developmental history and how these theories helped me understand my life from the time I was conceive to my adulthood

Levinson perspective regarded men in stages of life spinoffs from Jung, Havighurst, and Erikson, Levinson interpreted life in a series of crises and challenges (Robbins, Chatterjee, and Canda, pg 219). Levinson believed that as long as a person was alive then there is no end to the opportunities on can explore (Adamson and Levinson, 1977). With the focus on Mr. Frenchy the discussion will regard the last adult stages of development. Life cycle, seasons, and journey all include the stages of life according to Levinson (1978), and proposed each stage of life has its limitations and virtues. Levinson stated there are alternative routes, detours, speeds, and stops, but the journey continues as life goes on. According to Levinson, every man in late adulthood has to deal with the

Many of our temperament traits are evident at birth. However, other characteristics such as trust, guilt and competency are learned based upon our life experiences and the support we receive as we grow and develop. Based upon his research, Erikson became aware of the influence maturation and social demands have on behavior and ultimately on our development. He believed these two forces "push[ed] humans everywhere through…[a set of] eight psychosocial crises" (Sigelman, C. & Rider, E., 2009, pg.332). He organized life into eight stages that extend from birth to death.

Summary and Comparison: A Psychological Interview Analysis of Levinson’s Life Structure Approach and Erikson’s Theory of Human Development Approach

Exploring many different theories can help explain the different stages in human development. Over the course of an individual’s lifetime various experiences can shape their perception of the world and how they cope with challenges or even how they function in their everyday lives. Using the Psychosocial Development and Learning theories, a better understanding of Kendra Phillip’s development can be attributed to the difficulties she has faced over the years of her life. Within the Learning Theory the Levinson’s theory can be applied. This theory is, “Built around the idea of life structures, or patterns of behavior that, in combination with the environment, are shaping forces in people’s lives (p.341, Rogers, 2013). An individual’s way of

This methodology encompasses examining the child’s life through many different contexts, such as: demography, history, sociology, biology, developmental psychology, and economics. ( w. website ) The Life Course Perspective takes the combination of the historical and social factors and sees them in an individual’s course of personal development. A life course is defined as a sequence of socially defined events and roles that the individual enacts over time. ( W. website ) The theory loosely follows the sage old adage, “To know where you’re going, you have to know where you have been.” More precisely, the theory explains that the roles, events or transitions in an individual’s life don’t naturally progress in a structures order, but instead but create the sum of one’s life experience. (website) Transitions play an important role in the life experience.

Still on adult development, there is the Levinson Theory. Commonly referred to as seasons of life, this theory outlines different stages that an adult passes through. Early adult transition says that an individual abandons adolescence and makes complex life choices. The adult world is when a person adopts decisions regarding occupation,