Societal Limitations To Erikson's Alternative Theory

Great Essays
Introduction Traditional theories are important to understand as they are the foundation alternative theories come from and are the groundwork of many social work beliefs and constructions. Traditional theories were developed in a time that cultural diversity was not common, women were not seen as equals, and socioeconomic status was not considered among many other elements overlooked at impacting a person’s development. However, what traditional theories lack in is what led to the development of alternative theories.
Alternative theories provide another view that emphasizes aspects of a person that traditional theories do not look at, such as gender, sexuality, race, cultural background, religious identity, occupation, family makeup and marital
…show more content…
What a person experiences that causes a person to find resolve and proceed to the next stage. Based on observation it is difficult to observe what experiences have led Jon to his current stages according in Erikson’s theory.
While observing Jon engaging on the tablet and showing his caregiver what he had done can be applied to stage 4 of Erikson’s theory. Though stage 4 encompasses an older and larger age group, Jon appeared to be seeking approval from his caregiver at what he did.
Alternative Theory
Intersectionality is an alternative theory that looks beyond the age and developmental stages of a person. Instead of taking an aspect of a person’s identity, intersectionality is a holistic approach in understanding the different dimensions that make a person who they are. Intersectionality looks at how the multiple identities of a person interact with the environment and how the environment impacts the multiple identities of a person. By acknowledging each aspect of a person’s identity, a deeper understanding of the person can be understood. Multiple identities can include demographics, occupation, religious beliefs, family, social interactions,

Related Documents

  • Decent Essays

    The concept of intersectionality has made significant contribution to feminist theories. Intersectionality allows for feminist theories to account for the differences between women. This political theory allows implications for feminist theory and practice. As a result of the diversity that intersectionality has, it can be embraced by various strands of feminist theory, providing a means of cooperation between scholars who have different political views. The use of these terms shows how it is impossible to theorize about women’s lives by looking at one part of a person’s complex and multidimensional identity.…

    • 240 Words
    • 1 Pages
    Decent Essays
  • Great Essays

    As a practice-heavy field, social work may not appear to place much importance on theory; however, theory should dictate every decision social workers make. Perspectives for practice include the well-known theories of psychodynamic and systems, as well as lesser-known perspectives such as existential. Though some theoretical perspectives are better suited for either a micro or macro setting only, social workers should possess a diverse and readily available knowledge of theories to aid their work in any setting. This expanded repertoire (of many, but not all theories) allows social workers the ability to apply at least one theory to literally any situation in any environment with any number of participants. To demonstrate the necessity…

    • 1134 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Great Essays
  • Decent Essays

    Intersectionality is “the oppression and discrimination resulting from the overlap of an individual's various social identities” (dictionary.com). In short I like to say it is a way of looking at the intersections of people's identities, like looking through a prism to look at all of the different aspects behind a certain person. The backpack article focuses alot on white privilege against black privilege. McIntosh lays out many privileges of white privilege. This list really hit me, because i did not even realize the amount of privileges that I actually do possess.…

    • 334 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Decent Essays
  • Improved Essays

    1. Intersectional feminism is the overlapping of race, sexual orientation, etc along with gender. It is the understanding of how different circumstances that are a part of a person’s identity affect the oppression that each person faces. Intersectionality has become a part of the feminist movement because it is felt by many people that they are being treated differently even in their own sex. “A white woman is penalized by her gender but has the advantage of race.…

    • 462 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Essay On Intersectionality

    • 1016 Words
    • 4 Pages

    I have been alive for eighteen years now, over the course of these eighteen years the way I choose to identify and the labels that I identify with have changed. I now self-identify as a white, middle class, able-body, designated female at birth, trans, and gay individual; I have both privileges that I take for granted on a daily basis, and face oppressions that impact my everyday life. The privileges I have and the oppressions that I face intersect with one another through the concept of intersectionality. Intersectionality is a way to analyze and view how privileges and oppressions work together simultaneously; for example racism and sexism do not affect the lives of black women separately but instead interact with each other to marginalize…

    • 1016 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Superior Essays

    Understanding intersectionality is something that is important in the practice of social work. One must be able to understand and deal with one’s clients and their specific positions in life and understand how all of their different identities and places in society interact with each other. However, before one can understand intersectionality in others, one must examine the different areas of one’s own life and how they interact to form a unique identity. I will examine my specific roles in life and how they interact with each other going forward, specifically regarding gender, ethnicity and nationality, race, sexual orientation, abilities and disabilities, class, and religion.…

    • 2600 Words
    • 11 Pages
    Superior Essays
  • Decent Essays

    Reading from the book Aly is learning to develop her emotional self-awareness. I say this because though she was mad at Miley she still understood that Miley was her best friend and best friends don’t stay mad at each other. The quick changes children make from one emotional state to another are typical for this age (Kostelnik, Soderman, Whiren, Rupiper, & Gregory, 2015). The chapter did clarify for me if this was normal behavior for a four year old. According to the text Aly should soon be able to differentiate her emotions by next birthday.…

    • 215 Words
    • 1 Pages
    Decent Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Throughout the Walsh text, several theories of social work practice are identified and explained. I will compare and contrast Family Emotional Systems Theory and Structural Family Theory. This paper will discuss the main concepts of each theory. How the theories would be utilized within different individuals and issues that may be presented as a social worker. The usefulness of each of the two theories in regards to social work practice, concentrating on a micro practice perspective.…

    • 896 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Intersectionality is a conceptual tool used primarily for analyzing key differences in various environments and situations. Feminists use this term to critically analyze the patterns of oppression that interlock with multiple identities, such as social inequality in its complex forms. Bromley, in her writing, explains that the societal categories that define one 's identity and status quo further enables the development of hierarchies, and unearned privilege. Identity markers such as gender, sex, class, and race are socially constructed factors that further put up barriers of inclusion and exclusion for the individuals of society. In order to explain the root of the problem or offer a solution to eliminate these constructive barriers, one must…

    • 798 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Social workers applying theory into their ordinary situation is helpful when working alongside clients, who may be facing a difficult time. Theories provide social workers with the knowledge of an individual 's situation, relationship, surroundings, and needs. Applying theories can initiate vital information about the individual and enable social workers to provide support networks to ensure their client 's safety and well-being is taken care off. For instance, ecological perspective and strengths perspective are two types of different theories in social work that look at clients: situation, relationship, surroundings, needs and strengths. In this way, looking at the positives rather than negative enhances the individual to look at what they have achieved and to build on their strengths.…

    • 1909 Words
    • 8 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    As I have learned throughout my time as a social work student at Carleton University, I have become familiar with the generalist perspective of social work practice. My understanding of the general perspective stipulates, that it is better for a social worker to have a strong understanding of multiple theories and ways of practice, rather than being proficient in solely one theory or practice. This is directly related to the changes that have occurred at my placement, I have luckily been able to learn from two supervisors. Therefore, I was able to develop 2 distinct practices, which were influenced by my first supervisor Hadiya, and my second supervisor Caitlin. Both of the practices that I have learned were developed by watching how both of my supervisors respond to different experiences, as well as their interaction patterns with the residents of Harmony House.…

    • 1065 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Decent Essays

    Volunteer Experience Reflection I dedicated fifteen hours to the Head Start Program. For 8 weeks I helped in the classroom and met 25 beautiful children. Each child was unique in their own way. The Head Start Program is predominately White but that didn’t change how they interacted with one another.…

    • 736 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Decent Essays
  • Great Essays

    3 Erik Erikson psychosocial development of personality Erikson (1950) psychosocial development theory of personality states that personality development is a process that takes place across the lifespan of an individual. Erikson believed that every individual experiences a psychological crisis that results in a positive or negative outcome of personality. Erikson’s theories were influenced by Freud’s psychoanalytic theories. His theory focuses on the influence of external factors such as society and parenting on personality development from young age to adulthood. Erikson believes that personality develops as people pass through eight interrelated stages across the entire lifespan.…

    • 1527 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Great Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Essay on Sigmund Freud’s Psychosexual theory of development and Erik Erikson’s Psychosocial theory of development Introduction: This essay is done as a part of Adolescence & Learning (module 0765) assignment. The main areas which is covered in the project include comparison between Freud’s Psychosexual theory of development and Erikson’s Psychosocial theory of development. Moreover, the critical analysis of both the theories are clearly mentioned in the assignment as well.…

    • 1013 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Contrary to Freud’s psychosexual development theory, psychologist Erik Erikson came up with a different theory which is known as the Psychosocial Development theory. This theory as explained in textbook Lifespan Development 4rth Edition consists of eight different stages in which Erikson believes every individual must go through in order to successfully accomplish development at every stage.(Boyd, Johnson, Bee, 2011) Each one of Erik Erikson stages presents us with a different challenge we face at different times of our lives. (Boyd, Johnson, Bee, 2011) I use the word “challenge” with regards to the fact that every stage is presented with a term versus another.…

    • 673 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays