Unit 9—Erikson: Post-Freudian Theory

Front 1

Describe similarities and differences between the personality theories of Erikson and Freud.

Back 1

Erkison’s outlined 8 development stages.He extended Freud’s theory to go beyond adolescence. Extended into adolescence, adulthood,old age. At each stage the individual works through psychosocial struggle that builds from the previous stage and contributes to the formation of personality. Dissolving of this conflict allows the individual to move up to the next stage of development.Core pathology for that stage can occur due to too little basic strength. Freud focused on the pyschosexual energy at each stage of development. Erikson places more emphasis social and historical influences verses Freud’s theory ego.

Front 2

Write about the importance of the ego in Erikson’s theory. con't

Back 2

The ego is the centre of our personality.
Capable of helping us deal w/ conflict & crises of life. The ego has the ability to keep us from losing our individuality to the external forces instilled by society. The ego is weak, delicate but also flexible in childhood.In adolescence it will begin to strengthen & develop. The ego unifies personality. The ego as partly conscious. Able to organize & “synthesize our present experiences with past self-identities and anticipated images of self.”
3 parts.

Front 3

Discuss ways in which social and cultural factors influence personality

Back 3

______ influence ego development.
Each person’s ego has the potential for growth and the formation is dependant on the environmental influences.
Examples include child-rearing practices and other cultural customs.
All cultures developed pseudospecies. This is defined as a society’s perception that they are superior to all other races.
pseudospecies - illusion perpetrated and perpetuated by a particular society that it is somehow chosen to be the human race. ex. Nazis

Front 4

Compare and contrast Erikson's first four stages of psychological development with Freud's infantile and latency stages.

1) Infancy - parallel oral phase (F.)

Back 4

Erikson: Expanded view of Freud’s oral stage.
Stage as infants absorbing the world around them through all senses not just mouth.
The infant learns to trust or mistrust the world by exploring the world through their senses.
Basic strength: Hope
Core pathology: Withdrawal

Front 5

Compare and contrast Erikson's first four stages of psychological development with Freud's infantile and latency stages.

2) Early Childhood - mirrors anal stage (F.)

Back 5

2 -3 years.
Mastering bodily functions not solely toilet training was how young children received pleasure at this stage.
Through mastering bodily functions one in turn develops a sense of control over their interpersonal environment and is a measure of self-control. Crisis: Shame & Doubt vs. Autonomy.
Basic strength: Will (if the learning environment allows the child freedom of self expression in their control).
Core pathology: Compulsion (if the child develops inadequate will).

Front 6

Compare and contrast Erikson's first four stages of psychological development with Freud's infantile and latency stages.

3) Play Age - Same time as phallic phase.

Back 6

3 - 5 year Erikson: Oedipus complex is one of many important developments. Oedipal “prototype of the lifelong power of human playfulness”. Castration anxietynot be taken literally. Saw it as an expression of locomotor abilities the child may play the role of their parental units. Penis envy was wishing to obtain the same privileges males were granted in society Importance of developing: locomotion skills, language skills, curiosity, and imagination etc. Crisis: Initiative versus Guilt Helps children to act with purpose and to set goals.
Basic strength: PurposeCore pathology: Inhibition

Front 7

Compare and contrast Erikson's first four stages of psychological development with Freud's infantile and latency stages.

4) School Age Matches same stage as Freud’s latency stage

Back 7

6 - 12/13 years.


Erikson: Child’s energy is focused on learning skills required to cope in their environment. Crisis: Industry vs. Inferiority.The ego identity is formed from the ones self image. Large amount of social development growth occurs.
Develops skills in problem solving cooperation and other relevant workforce skills.Basic strength: Competence Core pathology: Inertia

Front 8

List Erikson's last four stages of psychosocial development, their crises, basic strengths, and core pathologies:

1) Adolescence

Back 8

Time between puberty to young adulthood. Crucial development stage. Gain a clear sense of ego identity by the end of this stage. Stage of social latency. Crisis: Identity vs. Identity confusion. Basic strength: fidelity - faith in one’s ideology. Adaptive phase. Trial and error phase of development. Search for one’s identity. Core pathology: Role repudiationa) defiance - the act of rebelling against authority. The person will actively push against societal rules and acceptable beliefs.
b) diffidence - is characterized as having little to no confidence or lack of self-trust. Shyness or hesitation are behaviors most seen in diffident individuals.

Front 9

List Erikson's last four stages of psychosocial development, their crises, basic strengths, and core pathologies:

2) Young Adult

Back 9

18 - 30 begins with the acquisition of intimacy at about age 18 and ends with the development of generativity at about age 30.
The psychosexual mode of _____ is genitality, which is expressed as mutual trust between partners in a stable sexual relationship. I
Crisis: Intimacy versus Isolation.
Intimacy - ability to fuse one's identity with that of another without fear of losing itisolation - fear of losing one's identity in an intimate relationship. Basic strength: Love
Core pathology: Exclusivity, or inability to love.

Front 10

List Erikson's last four stages of psychosocial development, their crises, basic strengths, and core pathologies:

3) Adulthood

Back 10

31 to 60 years A time when people make significant contributions to society.
Psychosexual mode: procreativity, or the caring for one's children, the children of others, and the material products of one's society.
Crisis: Generativity versus Stagnation Basic strength: Care Core pathology: Rejectivity

Front 11

List Erikson's last four stages of psychosocial development, their crises, basic strengths, and core pathologies:

4) Old Age

Back 11

Age 60 until death. The psychosexual mode of ___ is generalized sensuality; that is, taking pleasure in a variety of sensations and an appreciation of the traditional life style of people of the other gender. Crisis: Integrity verses Despair(the maintenance of ego-identity) verses (the surrender of hope). Basic strength: Wisdom Core pathology: Disdain (feeling being finished or helpless).