Eriksons Theory Essay Example for Free

Eriksons Theory EssayWhen discussing the dilatement possible action, Erikson had been the frontier with many major(ip) contributions. Unlike Freud and Piaget, Eriksons theory of knowledge foc utilize much more on social interactions. era most of us agreed that children do become toilet-trained amongst ages one and three, Eriksons theory also went further to acknowledge that children also learn to talk, walk, feed themselves, etc.In order to generalize Eriksons theory of development, we need to focus on three main principles dynamic balance of opposites, alert involvement and life in duration. Dynamic balance of oppositesThere be two opposing tendencies in dynamic balance of opposites dystonic (negative) and syntonic (positive). Erikson believed there were octet symbolizes, and at each one, the individual resolved a crisis between the positive (syntonic) and negative (dystonic) tendencies (Erikson Kivnick 1986). A resolution of crisis does not mean that a person rejec ts either syntonic or dystonic completely, but rather that a person should find a balance between two of those tendencies.For instance, our American culture has frequently taught parents to never say no to their children because that could potenti exclusivelyy damage a childs self-esteem. However, Erikson would disagree and say that children do need to hear no sometimes to understand that the whole reality does not revolve around them. Erikson would also say that telling the child no all of the time is bad as well. Vital involvement depends on the balance of syntonic and dystonic tendencies.Vital InvolvementErikson developed eight stages of development. First, the trust versus mistrust stage, where infants start to learn that either the world is good and can be trusted, or is bad and cant be trusted (Erikson et.al 1986). For instance, Erikson would state that babies learn to trust their caregivers for not allow them go hungry, but babies also learn to mistrust their caregivers for yelling at them and not feeding them consistently. Second, the impropriety versus shame and doubt stage where children learn about their own selves which is separate from their caregivers (Erikson et.al 1986).In this stage, children usually develop their own will and desires and applythem well by saying no. When children start to feel well-fixed using no as a way to reach their desires, they have reached the initiative versus guilt stage. In this stage, children learn to internalize values from the elder and also acquire the sense of guilt for wrongdoing. The next stage is industry versus inferiority where children explore the greater world in elementary school and their surroundings. Erikson did pay a lot of attention in the identity versus confusion stage because it focuses on adolescents and their identity crisis.Fidelity is the flavour of identity because adolescents share some of their parents values, as well as develop their own. The exist three stages include intimacy ve rsus isolation, generativity versus stagnation, and integrity versus despair. Each of these stages focuses greatly on the continuity of human development until death. Erikson recognized that there are certain time periods when it might be easier for some to develop and harder for others to develop, depending on the environment that influence them.For instance, some children who faced hardships (family separation, family violence, etc.) might have trouble in certain stages or even all of the stages, depending on where the factors start. Life in timeErikson referred to his theory of development as epigenesis. Epigenesis is applicable to evolution (the past and the future) and genetics. Erikson explained, epi can mean above in space as well as before in time, and connected with genesis can well represent the space-time nature of all development (Erikson et.al 1986). Erikson did not refer epigenetic to individual genetic make-up and how it influences individual development. Rather, Eri kson was concerned with how personality and mien is influenced after birth and so on. For instance, my mother has had a hard time adjusting with American culture when we for the first time migrated here from Vietnam.My sister and I started to adapt to the new culture right awayfrom clothing style, hairstyle, hobbies, etc. in which my mother had a very difficult time to accept. She wanted us to keep our conventional customs at home, as well as outside our home. At first, we mat reluctant because we felt she did not understand the importance of fitting-in at school. However, as we started college, my sister and I started to realize that our culture and traditions are unique and understand where my mother was comingfrom (Identity/ confusion stage).ConclusionErikson had dedicated his life by add to developmental psychology in major ways. Eriksons theory of development is still widely used and studied by many scholars.