Erik Erikson psychosocial theory essay

Erik Erikson psychosocial theory essay

I’ve selected Erik Erikson’s psychosocial theory, a classic developmental theory, to discuss. This theory builds upon Sigmund Freud’s original psychoanalytical theory, which suggests that human functioning is influenced by unconscious desires and forces unique to each individual. Erikson takes this further by introducing the concept of developmental stages that span from childhood into adulthood. The psychosocial theory emphasizes the role of culture and socialization in shaping an individual’s social and emotional development. It posits that early experiences during childhood set the course for later development.

The contemporary theory I’ve chosen is ethology and evolutionary developmental theory, rooted in Darwin’s work on evolutionary theory. Ethology is a biological perspective that focuses on human behavior and social interactions related to survival. A significant concept from this theory is the “critical period,” a crucial time when an individual is biologically primed to learn new behaviors.

Maureen Hopkins Shadow health Treatment Plan

These two theories share common ground in their emphasis on social and emotional development and the belief that early experiences influence later human development. For instance, Erikson’s psychosocial theory introduces the first stage, “basic Trust versus mistrust,” where infants learn trust through responsive caregiving, or conversely, mistrust through neglect. Similarly, ethology introduced “imprinting” based on observations of young birds imitating their mother’s behavior for survival. This concept led to the critical period idea, arguing that social and emotional behaviors are learned optimally at a specific time. Both theories stress the importance of positive early experiences.

However, a limitation of these theories is their potential determinism. They imply that an individual’s social and emotional processes are entirely determined by childhood experiences and unconscious thoughts, leaving little room for personal choice or free will.

References:

Berk, L. E. (2018). Development through the lifespan (7th ed.). Pearson Education, Inc.

McLeod, S.A. (2017). Psychodynamic approach. Retrieved from: Psychodynamic Approach | Simply Psychology.

Discussion: The Influence of Classic Theories on Modern Developmental Theories

All major developmental theories aim to explain how individuals grow, but they each offer slightly different perspectives. Some theories give more importance to environmental (nurture) factors over biological (nature) influences. Some theories focus on specific aspects like cognition, while others stress the role of age in shaping development. Piaget’s cognitive development theory highlights fixed stages in which an individual’s mental abilities enable them to learn about the world. On the contrary, Vygotsky’s sociocultural theory is not stage-based and describes development as an interaction between the individual and their surroundings.

Contemporary theories, such as Langer’s theory of mindfulness, usually build upon the foundation laid by earlier theories. Langer’s theory shares similarities with classical theories like Vygotsky’s sociocultural theory as they both emphasize the contextual nature of development and the active participation of the individual. However, Langer takes Vygotsky’s ideas a step further, particularly in the context of education and the learner. Other contemporary theories, like neo-Piagetian cognitive developmental theories, aim to address the limitations found in Piaget’s classical theory. Scholars like Robbie Case, Andreas Demetriou, and Kurt Fischer extended Piaget’s theory by introducing concepts that enhance our understanding of cognitive development within various stages. Most developmental psychologists today believe that a single theory can’t fully explain lifespan development, favoring an eclectic approach.

For this Discussion, we will explore classical and contemporary developmental theories and how they relate to modern applications in developmental psychology.

To prepare:

1. Review the course materials and other Learning Resources that discuss mid-20th-century theories and recent theoretical perspectives.
2. Choose one classical theory and one contemporary theory, both addressing the same developmental processes (e.g., cognitive, physical, or social-emotional).

Classical Theories Contemporary Theories

Psychoanalytic/Psychosexual
Psychosocial
Behaviorism/Learning
Social Learning
Cognitive-Developmental

Information Processing
Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience
Ethology/Evolutionary Developmental
Sociocultural
Systems Theory

By Day 4:

Post a brief explanation of the two theories you selected (one classical and one contemporary) and contrast them. Specifically, identify significant similarities and differences, and explain the strengths and limitations of each theory in explaining developmental processes (cognitive, physical, and social-emotional). Write your descriptions in paragraph form, not as bullet points. Support your post with references from your Learning Resources and/or other scholarly sources using proper APA format and citations.

By Day 6:

Respond to at least one of your peers’ posts and find a current article (published within the last 5 years) related to the same developmental process (cognitive, physical, or social-emotional) as your colleague’s post. Summarize the article and describe the theory it references.

Please return to this Discussion after a few days to read your classmates’ responses and answer any questions. Take note of any new insights you have gained from their comments.

Response:

You’ve done an excellent job explaining both theories in a straightforward manner. I found an interesting article by Nyam and Szymczynska (2016) that links current dementia activity programs to developmental psychology theories of aging. It emphasizes the importance of engaging people with dementia in meaningful activities to improve their well-being. These activities can be both casual and formal, such as memory cafes and organizations designed for peer support, reading, or singing for the brain. This aspect of an individual’s life is considered in socio-emotional development theories, which examine how an individual’s understanding of, attitudes toward, and behavior with others change over time.

Erikson’s psychosocial theory, for instance, suggests that personality develops sequentially through eight stages, with each stage resolving conflicts and helping individuals acquire necessary attitudes and skills to contribute positively to society. Nyam and Szymczynska (2016) argue that spirituality and religion play an integral role in providing meaning in life for dementia patients, aiding them in mentally preparing for death. This aligns with Erikson’s theory, which sees death as the ultimate goal people should strive for, helping create a sense of purpose and acceptance of death as the end of one’s life story.

This was an insightful article.

Reference

Berk. L.E. (2014). Development through the lifespan (7^th ed.). Pearson Education.

Nyman, S. R., & Szymczynska, P. (2016). Meaningful activities for improving the wellbeing of people with dementia: beyond mere pleasure to meeting fundamental psychological needs. Perspectives in Public Health, 136(2), 99–107.

https://doi.org/10.1177/1757913915626193

Susskind, J. (2005). Social development. In Neil J. Salkind (Ed.), Encyclopedia of Human Development (pp.1191-1197) Erik Erikson psychosocial theory essay.