Erikson’s Psychosocial Development Theory (Essay Sample)

Erikson’s Psychosocial Development Theory Name of Student Institutional Affiliation Introduction Erikson’s psychological development theory highlights the social nature of an individual’s development irrespective of the sexual aspect. According to psychosocial theory, people undergo eight stages of development in their lifespan, which start from infancy to late adulthood. Each phase is associated with a task or a conflict that an individual has to resolve. Failure to resolve a conflict at any given developmental stage leads to a feeling of inadequacy while successful completion of tasks results in a sense of healthy personality and competence. Erikson believed that personality development is a continuous process that takes place in all stages of an individual’s life (Munley, 1975). He described the sense of self as an ego identity that is always shaped by social interactions among people. Figure 1: Continuous Development Stages of Psychosocial Development Theory Infancy Stage (Birth to 12 Months) The basic task during the infancy stage of development entails trust versus uncertainty because the well-being of infants depends on the responsiveness of their caregivers. An aspect of trust is developed when caregivers enable babies to view the world as a foreseeable and safe place. Children whose needs are undermined by their caregivers assume that the world is an unpredictable place. Therefore, they develop feelings of fear, mistrust, and anxiety. “Me Do It” Stage (1-3 Years) This is the stage at which toddlers start to discover their world and learn to act on certain elements of the environment such as food, clothes, and toys to get the desired results. The main task of a toddler is to solve the matter of autonomy against shame and uncertainty by establishing independence. For instance, a 2-year-old kid may want to choose clothes and dress themselves. Their ability may not be suitable to the situation but his input in the basic decision emphasizes a sense of independence. The Preschool Stage (3-6 Years) This is the period at which children can initiate and assert control over activities through play and social interactions. Erikson believes that preschool children strive to resolve the issue of initiative against guilt (Syed and McLean, 2017). The preschool stage is significant to children because it enables them to plan and realize goals. Kids who achieve their planned objectives develop a sense of purpose and self-confidence while the ones who fail to realize their goals feel guilty. Elementary School Stage (6-12 Years) Children at the elementary school stage encounter the task of industry against inferiority. They associate themselves with their peers and develop a sense of accomplishment and pride in social activities, sports, family life, and school work. Kids at this stage tend to develop a sense of inferiority whenever they are defeated in any situation. Adolescence Stage (12 -18 Years) Children in the adolescence stage face the task of identity against role confusion. The major task for adolescents is to develop a sense of self. This is the stage at which children recognize their abilities and aspirations in life. Teens who fail to identify their capabilities at this stage end up experiencing role confusion due to having a weak sense of personality. They remain uncertain of their identity and disorganized in their future tasks. Early Adult Stage People in their early 20s through 40s are concerned with the issue of intimacy versus isolation. After the identification of a sense of self during the adolescence stage, individuals get ready to share their life with others. Adults who failed to develop a positive personality during their puberty stage may experience feelings of emotional isolation and loneliness. Middle Adulthood The middle adulthood stage starts when people enter the age of 40 and extends to the mid-60s. The primary task of individuals at this stage is striving against generosity against stagnation. The former encompasses finding a life's occupation and contributing to the community through activities like mentoring, volunteering, and raising children. People who fail to accomplish their responsibilities encounter stagnation and poor relationships with others. They develop little interest in self-improvement and productivity (Willis and Reid, 1998). Late Adulthood Stage This is the last stage that begins in the mid-60s and runs up to the end of life. Integrity versus despair is the major issue during this period. People meditate on their lives and have a sense of integrity in the case of successful accomplishments. A sense of despair arises when individuals are not successful and perceive that their life has been misused. They end their lives with feelings of depression, bitterness, and despair (Bishop, 2013). Figure 2: Psychological Development Model Comparison of the Psychosocial Development Stages in my Life I successfully resolved the first stage of Erikson's psychosocial development according to my mother's report. She provided care, love, and all necessities that a baby needed to grow. I gained a sense of trust that has enabled me to create a good rapport with other people. I utilized the second stage of development of my life in acquiring various skills like crawling and walking. I developed social skills by playing with kids from the neighborhood. I was successful at this stage because I gained confidence and independence in all responsibilities. The third stage of development was my preschool age when my parents allowed me to interact with friends at...