Erikson's Theory Analysis

Erik Erikson came up with eight stages that he thought influenced the development of man. The first four stages correlated with Freud’s psychosexual stages and the last four stages, Erikson elaborated on the genital stage of Freud’s theory. Erikson said that his developmental stages were more hierarchal and they tended to be cumulative, rather than clear cut stages one gets passed (Erikson, 1969). He also believed that virtues that arose from the different stages needed to constantly be “reaffirmed” and “nurtured” (Engler, 2014). He believed that if a conflict was resolved satisfactorily, it was good, but if it was not, then the negative component of that particular stage would predominate (Engler, 2014).
Stage 1: Basic Trust vs. Mistrust (birth-1 yr.)
This first stage also corresponds to Freud’s …show more content…
This is the stage where Erikson says that children begin to have control over their body and bodily activities (Engler, 2014). Autonomy will be the result of parents who do not exercise control over their toddlers, too much. Children should be guided but allowed room to explore and interact with their surroundings. If those children are allowed to have their room to explore and do things on their own, will probably have developed neuromuscular and verbalization skills (Engler, 2014). If children are not allowed to have that kind of guided “freedom” and that child’s will is met either with too much permissiveness or harshness, that child will have a difficult time making good judgments and exercising self-control. This is the result of shame and doubt about their abilities. If the conflicts in this stage are satisfactorily solved, that child will develop the virtue of will. They will be able to control themselves and make decisions and judgments that they can be proud of. Engler says that will is the natural “outgrowth of autonomy” and it is the “basis for our subsequent acceptance of social law”