Name: Elantra Thomas Journal # ____4____ Date :
Title/Name of the Theory
Psychosocial Theory
Theorist (s)
Erik Erikson was born June 15, 1902, in Frankfort, Germany. He died May 12, 1994 in Harwich, Massachusetts. Erikson attended an art school. During that time he traveled through Europe. Erikson was invited by Anna Freud to teach art. He was also invited to teach history and geography at a private school in Vienna. He entered psychoanalysis and underwent training to become a psychoanalyst himself. During that time became interested in the treatment of children. Before completing psychoanalytic he published his first paper. In 1933, he emigrated to the United States. During that time he practiced child psychoanalysis in Boston and he attended Harvard Medical School. While he was in school he became interested in the way the ego or consciousness operates. Two year later he started his first studies of cultural influences on psychological development.
Theoretical Principles and Concepts
Erikson believed people learn from their experienced, such as a conflict that serves as a turning point in development. In his View, these conflict are centered on developing a psychological quality or either failing to develop that quality. Erikson work is based on five assumptions. “People, in general have the same basic needs. Personal development occurs in response to these needs. Development proceeds in stages. Movement through the stages reflects changes in an individual’s motivation. Each stage is characterized by a psychosocial challenge that presents opportunities for development” (Erikson’s Psychosocial theory). Erikson also believed that his principle is genetically inevitable in shaping human development. He referred his theory as “epigenesist and epigenetic principle” these concepts evaluate to the past and future genetics.
Erikson development considered the impact of external factors. He also feel like society personality develop from childhood to adulthood. He Erikson base his theory on 8 stages. Stage one is Trust vs Mistrust. Stage two is Autonomy vs Shame and Doubt. Stage three is Initiative vs Guilt. Stage four is Industry vs Inferiority. Stage five is Identity vs Role Confusion. Stage six is Intimacy vs Isolation. Stage eight is Ego Integrity vs Despair.
Contributions to Child Development
Erikson believed that everybody progress through eight stages of development. Environment played a major role in the theory development. When it comes to self-awareness, adjustment, human development and identity. Each of his stages focused on a central conflict. During his research he noticed that children don’t automatically complete each stage on an advance schedule. In each stage, He believed that peo...
