Erikson's Theory Suggests Developmental Changes Occur

Eriksons Theory Suggests That Developmental Changes Occur Throughout

Erikson’s theory suggests that developmental changes occur throughout our lives in eight distinct stages. The stages emerge in a fixed pattern and are similar for all people. Erikson argued that each stage presents a crisis or conflict that the individual must resolve. During the psychosocial crisis, the individual must address the crisis during the stage sufficiently to move to the next stage of development. In this module, you are required to make an informal observation (church, mall, library, etc.) of two developing individuals who are in two different stages of Erikson’s eight stages of psychosocial development. For each developing individual, comment on the characteristics observed.

Paper For Above instruction

The theoretical framework of Erik Erikson’s psychosocial development model provides invaluable insight into understanding human growth across the lifespan. Recognizing the stages in which individuals find themselves allows observers to infer their psychological conflicts and challenges. This paper presents an informal observational analysis of two individuals in different stages of Erikson’s psychosocial development, identifying behavioral characteristics that signify their respective stages.

The first individual observed was a young adolescent, approximately 13 years old, in the midst of Erikson’s fifth stage, Identity vs. Role Confusion. During the observation at a local mall, the adolescent displayed behaviors characteristic of this stage—an evident preoccupation with peer acceptance, shifting clothing styles, and engaging in conversations that seemed focused on defining personal identity. Adolescents in this stage often grapple with discovering who they are and where they fit within social groups, and these behaviors reflect their ongoing struggle to establish a coherent sense of self. The adolescent appeared to seek validation from peer groups, frequently referencing peer opinions and expressing a desire to belong, aligning with Erikson’s assertion that this stage centers on developing a stable self-identity.

The second individual was an elderly woman, approximately 75 years old, observed in a church setting. She appeared to be in Erikson’s eighth and final stage, Ego Integrity vs. Despair. She exhibited a demeanor of calmness, reflection, and contentment as she interacted with others and reminisced internally about her life experiences. Her facial expressions and tone of voice conveyed a sense of fulfillment and acceptance of her life course. According to Erikson, this stage involves reflecting on one’s life with a sense of coherence and wisdom—if successful, the individual achieves ego integrity. The observed individual’s behavior suggested she is in the process of integrating her life experiences positively, indicative of a healthy resolution of this stage’s crisis.

Both observations highlight the distinct characteristics that align with Erikson’s psychosocial stages. The adolescent’s behaviors underscore the identity crisis typical of this stage, emphasizing exploration and peer influence as critical components of development. Conversely, the elderly woman's demeanor signifies the fulfillment and acceptance associated with achieving ego integrity. These observations reinforce Erikson’s theory that development is a lifelong process with specific challenges at each stage, and successful resolution leads to a healthy personality and well-being.

Understanding these stages through real-world observation enriches our appreciation of the ongoing nature of human development. It underscores the importance of supportive environments in facilitating positive resolution of psychosocial crises, ultimately contributing to healthier psychological outcomes across the lifespan.

References

Blos, P. (1962). The adolescent passage: Development from innocence to experience. New York: International Universities Press.

Erikson, E. H. (1968). Identity: Youth and crisis. New York: Norton.

McLeod, S. (2018). Erik Erikson's theory of psychosocial development. Simply Psychology. https://www.simplypsychology.org/erik-erikson.html

Shaffer, D. R., & Kipp, K. (2013). Developmental Psychology: Childhood and Adolescence. Cengage Learning.

Wood, J. T., & Flynn, E. (2018). Lifespan development: Human development for helping professionals and others. Allyn & Bacon.

Hoffman, B., & Rice, J. (2019). Lifespan development. Cengage Learning.

Cherry, K. (2020). Erik Erikson's theory of psychosocial development. Verywell Mind. https://www.verywellmind.com/erik-eriksons-stages-of psychosocial-development-2795740

Hurlock, E. B. (1980). Developmental psychology. Tata McGraw-Hill Education.

Nelson, D. L., & Fivush, R. (2014). The emergence of autobiographical memory in early childhood. In Handbook of child psychology (pp. 589–629).