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Erickson Psychoanalytical Theory of Development
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Abstract
Many theorists have come up with different theories to explain the development process in human beings. Human nature has been unique thus getting the attention of many scholars who try to study the way people behave and interact with each other. Erickson uses his eight stages of human development to describe the personality development process in human beings. The first five stages are covered within the 18 years whereas third last, second last, and the last one takes place between age 18 to 45, 45 to 55, and 65 and above respectively. Through the different exposures and interactions, they get to learn the important virtues of life, which they use for the entire period of their lives. One can relate this theory with that of Sigmoid Freud where the idea of the ego, superego, and the id come into consideration. People behaves differently because of the different exposures that they were subjected to throughout these stages.
Erickson Psychoanalytical Theory of Development
Erickson’s theory of psychosocial development borrows much from the previous work of Sigmoid Freud. Freud looked at the conflict between the superego and the id while Erickson based his argument on the conflict between the cultural influences and the ego. The ego develops as one continue to grow, thus enabling on to have a sense of trust in others while recognizing similar identity in the society; thus a sense of belonging that is evident in the future.

Erickson used this theory to indicate the eight stages of personality development throughout the lifetime. The theory has five stages which take place from age five up to 18 years, whereas the other three stages are experienced in the adulthood (Erikson, 1963). The argument of the theory bases much emphasis on adolescent stage as it is believed to be the point where an individual develops a sense of personal identity. Personal experience basing on the eight stages can give a clear picture of the argument of the theory. Therefore, the paper will outline some of the findings from the three individuals at different stages and age on the way they have been able to navigate through life using the perspective of the theory of development proposed by Erickson. The paper will also summarize some of the lessons learned from the interviews and analysis of the three people. Lastly, the paper shall give my position about the theory and its applicability following the experience of the three people that were interviewed. In simple terms, understanding human development requires the support of development theories which can be analyzed on the criteria of their success and failures. Erickson’s eight stage of development will serve as an example.
At first, I interviewed a teenage girl named Joan aged 14 years; she was in her O-level education. The girl was at the fifth stage of Erickson’s personality development stage of identity vs. role confusion. Joan proved to be experiencing much confusion that she could display an identity. She indicated that the body changes both physical and emotional feelings had changed her attitude towards other people. She wanted to have most of the time with people of different gender. The problem that thus girl was enduring was to incorporate the morals she learned in the early stages with the required ethics for the adult life. She is still attached to the sexual desire to understand her body. The cause of the fixation is the lack of understanding that their bodies are preparing for adulthood, and she needs to prepare psychologically to set her goals rights and have a personal identity of what she want to be in life. Since Joan is mature enough to understand an explanation, I can point out that she ought to develop the virtue of fidelity so that she can recognize the changes in her body as well as the changed relationships with those people who are around her. Since Joan did not want to have many interactions with other girls, she lacked the fidelity that could enable her to accept others even when they have different ideologies. Identity crisis destructs one from realizing what people at the sixth stage of personality development (intimacy VS. isolation). The problem seen in Joan at this stage is related to the previous stage of Industry VS. Inferiority. Joan reported having been subjected to strict regulations from her parents thus making it hard for her to realize her potential hence, a failure to attain the virtue of competence.
Second I interviewed a boy named John aged nine years. He was at the industry vs. isolation stage of personality development. The greatest challenge that the boy was enduring at this age was the issue of attaining self-esteem through optimizing his potential (Krebs & Gillmore, 1982). He had to show much in class to prove his viability and relevance. Basing on Erickson’s argument of personality development, children at the age 5 and 12 years try to work actively to fit in the peer group. The peer group is the most trivial component of their lives as the group either considers their actions to have won approval or fail. The boy showed industriousness hence making it easy for him to navigate through the requirements of the group members. John displayed a distinctive nature in the way he interacted with others. In fact, he was talented and in athletics and could run and scope the first position in the class. Although he was not bright in class, he was an average pupil who got almost everything that the teacher taught in class. He has also attained approval from his peers since the self-esteem attributed to her athletic power makes him be readily accepted and recognized by the group members. John has attained the virtue of competence and can easily fit in the next stage of personality development. It is evident that the activeness of an individual bases its origin on the influence of the group to which one belongs during their childhood, particularly at the fourth stage of development.
The last person I considered in analyzing the theory was my cousin George, aged 21. George was in the age bracket of 18 to 40 years which symbolized the intimacy vs. isolation stage. George indicated that he had a girlfriend whom they loved each other very much that they visited one another on a weekly basis. When I tried to relate what George was undergoing with what Erickson posted about the sixth stage, I identified the mature relationships that start when people are out of adolescents (Abe, 2014). The two were very committed to each other in preparation for the future life as wife and husband. However, there are some challenges that George faces with her lover. He indicated that it was challenging to be faithful to one person when many other people are coming into lives of each other. George through the commitment and fear of loneliness that could result from the breakup maintain the close ties with his lover. Therefore, he successfully attain the virtue of love. George pointed out that the previous stage, while they were in adolescent, helped him to reason in a mature way thus being able to incorporate morality and ethics. The two component according to George were the most motivating and significant in facing the young adult stage.
In precise, the argument of personality development is very applicable and realistic. I strongly agree with the arguments of Erickson as his theory goes gradually into looking at the way human beings passes through different stages of development dating back from birth. The changes and influences that one learns at every single stage prepare them for the next stage hence the development process. The virtues that they acquire also helps them to survive in the different scenarios that they encounter later in life. In the first stage if Erickson’s theory, an infant at one year, develops trust basing on the consistency that the primary caregiver provides them. Therefore, they develop a sense of hope which is vital for the next stage. Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt is the second stage of development when the child is between 18 months and three years. The child tries to get their freedom by moving away from their mothers and trying everything that they can in their encounter. For instance, they try to put on the dress when an adult tries to dress them. The stage plays an important part as the child gets to develop the virtue of will. The first stages lay the foundation for the other stages that follow. Generativity and stagnation for instance, which is the second last stage shows one’s ability to settle and have their families (McLeod, 2008). They also give back to the society through to their care. The productivity at this stage remains stagnant, hence making an individual concentrate on their families and the support of the other members of the society. The last part of the theory indicates the despair and the development of integrity. The aged are known to be wise, something that is evident in Erickson’s theory. Although the theory is more of a tool to think than factual, it helps one to understand the way human beings move from one stage to another and the reason to why there are disparities among people.
References Abe, J. (2014). Differential Emotions Theory as a Theory of Personality Development. Emotion Review, 7(2), 126-130. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/1754073914554780
Erikson, E. (1963). Youth: change and challenge (1st ed.). New York: Basic Books.
Krebs, D. & Gillmore, J. (1982). The Relationship among the First Stages of Cognitive Development, Role-Taking Abilities, and Moral Development. Child Development, 53(4), 877. http://dx.doi.org/10.2307/1129124
McLeod, S. (2008). Erik Erikson | Psychosocial Stages | Simply Psychology. Simplypsychology.org. Retrieved 6 December 2016, from http://www.simplypsychology.org/Erik-Erikson.html