Erikson Stages Of Development Essay

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The functional way we develop insight on the world has been broken down and theorized by many researchers. The famous psychologist and psychoanalyst, Erik Erikson, broke down development into nine stages. Erikson described this proposal as, “anything that grows has a ground up plan, and out of this parts arise” (1980). The exploration of how situations influence our outcomes through life’s stages. How events in life impact our emotions as the brain develops from infancy to adulthood. The question arises if different individual paths shape this development. Erikson’s own personal experiences in life has played an impact on how he developed his own individual identity. Erikson was abandoned after his biological father left before he was born …show more content…
Erikson put a lot of emphasis on the adolescent stage, he theorized this stage is important for developing personal identities (McLeod, 2008). If this stage can be controlled we can mold the individual develops. From infancy to age eighteen, the role of the child can be molded by the guardian or birth giver. Erikson, “stated that failure to successfully complete a stage can result in reduced ability to complete further stages and therefore a more unhealthy personality and sense of self (McLeod, 2008). The stages of development can be completed later on in life. Will waiting to complete a stage damage the development and play a negative impact on their view of the world? The theories that Erikson has setup from a male perspective, is accurate to the emotions that we face through life. Erikson’s model is challenged by many critics in the psychology world. Erikson stressed his work is a, “tool to think rather than a factual analysis’. Its purpose then is to provide a framework within which develop can be considered rather than a testable theory (McLeod, 2008). Everyone is able to relate to some form of Erikson’s theory, whether it is in infancy to …show more content…
This stage ranges from birth to around eighteen months. The importance of this stage is the relationship the infant has with the caregiver. Sharkey, developed a theory from Erikson’s work an infant who gets fed when hungry and comforted trust will be developed (1997). The infant must develop mistrust at this period to learn between dishonest and honesty. The main idea that this stage highlights is the infancy learning the ability of who to trust. If mistrust develops the child will be frustrated, withdrawn, and suspicious, and will lack self- confidence (Sharkey, 1997). The importance of this development goes lifelong. This development can mold our career choices, relationships, and most importantly our self. If we do not have a strong relationship with our caregiver, it would be difficult to make a relationship with a spouse. The trust would not be in that relationship from prior

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