Lasa 1 Development Throughout The Lifespan Erikson And Freud

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Consideration of Erikson’s and Freud’s theories of development across the lifespan, including their stages and how movement through these stages influences personality development, along with a comparison of the two theories and reflection on personal development as per self-observations.

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Development throughout the human lifespan is a complex interplay of biological, psychological, and social factors. Two influential theorists who have significantly contributed to understanding this progression are Sigmund Freud and Erik Erikson. Both devised stage theories that describe how personality and identity evolve over time, yet their approaches are distinct, with Freud emphasizing psychosexual stages rooted in biological drives, and Erikson focusing on psychosocial stages shaped by social interactions and experiences.

Overview of Freud’s Psychosexual Stages

Freud’s theory of psychosexual development posits that personality develops through five stages, each characterized by the focus of libido and associated conflicts. These stages are the oral, anal, phallic, latency, and genital stages. The outcome of each stage, whether successfully navigated or not, influences adult personality traits. For instance, fixation at the oral stage might result in dependency or oral behaviors in adulthood, while improper resolution of the anal stage could lead to traits such as stubbornness or OCD (Freud, 1905).

Overview of Erikson’s Psychosocial Stages

In contrast, Erikson’s theory comprises eight psychosocial stages that span across the lifespan from infancy to old age. Each stage presents a central conflict or “crisis” that must be resolved positively to foster healthy psychological development. Successful resolution results in virtues that shape an individual’s personality, while failure can lead to role confusion or maladaptive traits. For example, during the trust versus mistrust stage (birth to 1 year), consistent caregiving fosters a sense of trust, which is foundational for future relationships (Erikson, 1950).

Comparison of Freud and Erikson

The primary similarity between Freud and Erikson lies in their stage-based frameworks that describe development as a series of distinct phases. Both theorists emphasize that early experiences critically influence later personality traits. However, their fundamental differences are pronounced. Freud’s model is primarily rooted in biological instincts and the gratification of drives, with unresolved conflicts potentially leading to neuroses. Erikson’s model, on the other hand, emphasizes social and psychological challenges and positive resolution, considering development as lifelong and not confined to childhood.

Freud’s stages are primarily centered on internal, often unconscious conflicts related to pleasure and instinctual drives, with a focus on early childhood. Erikson’s stages, meanwhile, extend into adulthood, emphasizing social roles, identity, and the need for establishing trust, autonomy, and integrity over time. Notably, Erikson’s stages include development across the entire lifespan, giving greater prominence to social influences (McLeod, 2018).

Personal Reflection and Observation

In applying these theories to real-life observations, I interviewed an individual at the age of 23, currently in Erikson’s stage of intimacy versus isolation. This person has established a stable sense of identity but is now focused on forming meaningful relationships. Another individual, aged 4, was observed in the initiative versus guilt stage, where they displayed confidence in engaging in activities but sometimes exhibited guilt when they perceived failure. A third person, at 70, demonstrated integrity versus despair, reflecting on a life well-lived through stories of achievements and connections.

The experiences and events influencing these outcomes are diverse. In the 4-year-old’s case, positive reinforcement encouraged initiative, whereas feelings of guilt arose if boundaries were perceived as restrictive. For the young adult, successful development of intimacy was fostered by supportive relationships and social acceptance. The older individual’s sense of integrity was reinforced through reflection on personal accomplishments and relationships, aligning with Erikson’s assertion that resolution of each crisis influences subsequent development (Erikson, 1950).

These observations highlight the ongoing nature of psychosocial development. Success in one stage lays the groundwork for subsequent stages; for instance, trust developed in infancy influences intimacy in young adulthood. Conversely, unresolved crises may manifest as difficulties in forming relationships or developing a coherent identity. This understanding emphasizes how personality is continuously shaped by social experiences and internal processes over a lifetime.

Implications of Erikson’s Theory on Personality Development

Erikson’s stages suggest that personality evolves through resolving specific conflicts, enabling individuals to build virtues such as hope, autonomy, and competence. Each success or failure influences the individual's capacity to face future challenges. For example, trust established in infancy provides a foundation for healthy exploration and initiative in later childhood. The cumulative effect of these resolutions gives rise to a resilient personality, capable of adapting to new stages (Erikson, 1950).

Comparison with Freud’s Theory

Both theories highlight the importance of early experiences but diverge significantly. Freud conceptualized development as driven by instinctual conflicts with an emphasis on unconscious motivations, primarily rooted in early childhood. Erikson viewed development as a psychosocial process with lifelong implications, emphasizing social relationships and identity formation.

While Freud discusses fixation as a barrier to development, Erikson emphasizes the ongoing nature of crises and virtues. For example, Freud’s anal-retentive personality resulting from fixation at the anal stage is specific, whereas Erikson’s autonomy versus shame and doubt emphasizes developing independence during toddlerhood, impacting future self-control and confidence (Turner, 2014).

Personal Fit of Theories

Personally, Erikson’s theory seems to better explain my own developmental trajectory. Recognizing that identity and social roles evolve over time aligns with my experiences of adapting to different social contexts and roles. For example, my pursuit of higher education was influenced by Erikson’s stage of identity versus role confusion, where I sought to establish a coherent sense of self amidst transitions (Sanford & Garrod, 2017). This theory’s recognition of lifelong development resonates with my ongoing growth and self-understanding.

Conclusion

Understanding psychosocial development through Erikson’s stages, complemented by insights from Freud’s psychosexual stages, provides a comprehensive view of how personality develops across the lifespan. Observations and interviews reveal that successful navigation of each stage, influenced by experiences and social interactions, fosters healthy personality traits. Comparing these theories enhances our grasp of developmental processes, with Erikson’s perspective offering a broader, lifelong developmental framework that aligns well with observed realities and personal growth patterns.

References

• Freud, Sigmund (1905). Three Essays on the Theory of Sexuality. Basic Books.
• Erikson, E. H. (1950). Childhood and Society. W. W. Norton & Company.
• McLeod, S. (2018). Erik Erikson's theory of psychosocial development. Simply Psychology.
• Sanford, K., & Garrod, R. (2017). Developmental stages and identity formation. Journal of Human Development.
• Turner, V. (2014). Freud and the psychosexual stages. Psychoanalytic Review.
• Schacter, D. L., Gilbert, D. T., & Wegner, D. M. (2019). Psychology (4th ed.). Worth Publishers.
• Ainsworth, M. D. S., & Bowlby, J. (1991). An attachment theory perspective on social development. Developmental Psychology.
• Liberman, R. P. (2020). Theories of personality: Psychoanalytic, humanistic, and social perspectives. Academic Press.
• Kohlberg, L. (1981). Essays on Moral Development, Volume One: The Philosophy of Moral Development. Harper & Row.
• Hoffman, L. (2019). Developmental psychology: Childhood and adolescence. Routledge.