Erik Erikson

Erik Erikson

Erik Erikson’s Theory

Aspects of Psychology, a teacher

Abstract

Erik Erikson’s Theory is useful if many professions from marketing to teaching. Have the developments of the human psychosocial growth in an orderly and understandable mapping is helpful at all ages.

Erik Erikson’s Theory

Erikson believed people were a product of their environment, and that one’s culture influenced their social interactions. He believed that there are eight stages to one’s personal development, and that each stage has a crisis that requires resolution. (Editorial Board, 2011)

The first of the eight stages Erikson theorized is trust versus mistrust. This stage starts at birth and lasts through eighteen months. In this stage one must bond with a caregiver so that trust and a feeling of safety are instilled. This bond is done when the infants need for food, affection, and closeness are being provided by the caregiver. The “basic virtue and named strength (potential positive outcome from each crisis)” (Chapman) that may come of this crisis would be hope and drive. The maladaptation which would be the negative outcome would be sensory distortion; this could cause withdrawal, hopelessness, and possibly a failure to thrive. (Boeree, 2009) An example of this stage would be Disney’s Tarzan movie when the mother gorilla finds baby Tarzan and cares and nurtures him. Tarzan grows to be a strong caring leader because of the mother gorilla’s care. (Buck & lima, 1999)

The second stage in Erikson’s theory is Autonomy versus self-doubt. This stage starts at eighteen months and last until three years old. During this time a child is an explorer and feels the need to be in control of their surroundings. If a child is pushed too hard at this stage they become unsure or regress. (Boeree, 2009) The issues at this stage are bodily functions, toilet training, muscle control, and walking. The basic virtue and strength from a positive outcome would be willpower...