You Have Been Hired As A Consultant By An Advertising Firm

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You have been hired as a consultant by an advertising firm that is developing a series of commercials for a family-oriented theme park. The commercials will target family members at various life stages. You have decided that understanding Erikson’s theory of psychosocial development will help you with this assignment. Your assessment will be used by the advertising firm to help in developing commercials targeting various developmental stages. Your deliverable to the advertising firm will be a report of 2 – 3 pages with your research results.

You will submit 1 Word document with the following information: Describe the underlying principles of Erikson’s theory. Describe each stage of Erikson’s theory. Include in your description of each stage an analysis of a character that best represents that stage of life. The character can be from a television show, a movie, or a literary character from a book. You can also use a person that you know in your life, such as a friend or relative.

In each case, be sure to explain how the character represents the stage and how the character is doing at resolving the crisis. Please use the following guidelines for formatting your assignment: Margins: Set to one inch Font: 12pt.-Times New Roman, no bold , no underline Title: Centered above the paper, 12 pt.-font (Level A Heading), no bold , no underline , no italics Pagination: Every page; consists of a header containing a short title for the paper and a page number placed in the upper right corner of the page Line Spacing: Double space all work, including the References page Point-of-View: Third person, objective; limit perspective to research; no personal opinion or narrative; first person is allowed in describing the test and results, as well as discussing personal ways to enhance EI In-text citations: Must conform to APA requirements References list: Must conform to APA requirements For assistance with your assignment, please use your text, Web resources, and all course materials.

Please refer to the following multimedia course material(s): Week 5: Conception Through Childhood and Adult Week 5: Personality Traits Assignment Tips: Erikson’s stages are not the only part of his theory. There are some general principles that provide a conceptual framework on which the stages are built. To fully understand the theory, you need to grasp those principles. An excellent discussion of those can be found in Boeree’s chapter on Erikson and his theory. Some key words are epigenetic principle, balance, virtues, maladaptations, and malignancies.

You need to first discuss the conceptual framework, then discuss the stages. When you discuss the character, use behavioral examples to support your assertion that the character belongs in the stage, as well as to support your assertion of how the character is doing at resolving the crisis of the stage.

Paper For Above instruction

The following report explores Erik Erikson’s psychosocial development theory, its underlying principles, and its stages. It further analyzes representative characters for each stage, illustrating how their behaviors reflect the conflicts and resolutions typical of their respective developmental phases. This understanding aims to assist an advertising firm in crafting targeted commercials for a family-oriented theme park, resonating with individuals at various stages of psychosocial development.

Introduction to Erikson’s Psychosocial Development Theory

Erik Erikson’s psychosocial development theory posits that human development occurs through a series of eight stages, each characterized by a specific psychosocial conflict that must be resolved for healthy psychological growth (Shaffer & Kipp, 2013). Unlike Freud’s psychosexual stages, Erikson emphasized social influences and the development of identity across the lifespan. The core of his theory is the epigenetic principle, which suggests that each stage unfolds naturally and sequentially, with successful resolution leading to virtues that serve as foundational strengths. Conversely, maladaptations or malignancies can arise when conflicts are poorly resolved, influencing personality and future development (Boeree, 2006).

Principles Underpinning Erikson’s Theory

The fundamental principles of Erikson’s theory include the epigenetic principle, which asserts that each stage of development is predetermined, yet flexible depending on individual interactions. Balance is crucial; resolving the conflict successfully results in virtues like hope, will, purpose, competence, fidelity, love, care, and wisdom. Failure to resolve conflicts can lead to maladaptations—persistent issues that impair functioning—or malignancies, which are more debilitating, often manifesting as despair or withdrawal (Bridges, 2014). These principles highlight that development is lifelong and influenced by social environment, encouraging a view of personality as dynamic and adaptable.

Analysis of the Eight Stages with Character Examples

Stage 1: Trust vs. Mistrust (Birth to 1 Year)

This initial stage is centered on developing trust when caregivers reliably meet an infant’s needs. A character that exemplifies this stage is Little Ricky from the television show “I Love Lucy,” during his infancy. Although a minor part, Little Ricky’s dependency on his mother for comfort and care, and the nurturing responses from Lucy, exemplify a basic trust foundation. Success in this stage results in the virtue of hope, which influences future relationships (Erikson, 1963). Little Ricky’s positive interactions reflect developing trust, positioning him well at this early developmental point.

Stage 2: Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt (1-3 Years)

This stage involves developing personal control and independence. Dora the Explorer, as a young child character, demonstrates autonomy through her exploration and decision-making in navigating her environment. Her confident approach to solving problems exemplifies a healthy resolution, fostering the virtue of will (Erikson, 1963). If a character displays excessive dependence or shame, it would indicate a struggle with this stage.

Stage 3: Initiative vs. Guilt (3-6 Years)

Children begin asserting control through play and social interactions. Harry Potter, in his early years, shows initiative by initiating play and problem-solving, like exploring the wizarding world. His sense of purpose and rising confidence reflect a positive resolution of this stage. A character overly guilty or hesitant might represent an unresolved conflict leading to guilt instead of initiative.

Stage 4: Industry vs. Inferiority (6-12 Years)

In this stage, children develop competence through school and social activities. Hermione Granger from the Harry Potter series exemplifies industry through her dedication to learning and academic achievement. Her self-confidence and ability to work collaboratively suggest a healthy resolution, with virtues like competence emerging (Erikson, 1963). Conversely, characters who withdraw or display low self-esteem illustrate unresolved issues from this stage.

Stage 5: Identity vs. Role Confusion (12-18 Years)

Adolescents explore their identity and sense of self. Holden Caulfield from “The Catcher in the Rye” exemplifies identity exploration, although his struggles with alienation indicate unresolved conflicts and role confusion. Successful resolution involves forming a cohesive identity, which Holden continually seeks but often fails to achieve fully. This stage’s success or failure profoundly impacts future relationships and self-esteem.

Stage 6: Intimacy vs. Isolation (19-40 Years)

Young adults seek deep, meaningful relationships. The character of Ross Geller from “Friends” demonstrates developing intimacy through his romantic relationships and friendships. His efforts to establish trust and connection reflect a positive resolution, leading to a sense of love. Failures in this stage can result in loneliness or emotional withdrawal.

Stage 7: Generativity vs. Stagnation (40-65 Years)

This stage involves contributing to society and guiding the next generation. Mr. Rogers from “Mr. Roger’s Neighborhood” exemplifies generativity through his nurturing and community involvement. His altruistic actions and sense of purpose showcase whether he successfully resolves this stage, fostering a sense of care (Erikson, 1963). A character exhibiting boredom or self-absorption might reflect stagnation.

Stage 8: Ego Integrity vs. Despair (65+ Years)

In old age, individuals reflect on their lives. An example is the character of Jean-Luc Picard from “Star Trek: The Next Generation,” who, in old age, demonstrates wisdom and contentment, symbolizing resolution of this final stage. They accept life’s culmination with dignity, whereas despair indicates unresolved unresolved conflicts and a lack of acceptance.

Conclusion

Erikson’s psychosocial theory provides a comprehensive framework for understanding human development across the lifespan. By analyzing characters at each stage, we gain insight into how personality and behavior are shaped by the resolution of psychosocial crises. This understanding enables targeted messaging in advertising, allowing campaigns to resonate deeply with audiences at specific developmental stages, thus enhancing engagement and emotional connection with the theme park’s marketing efforts.

References

• Boeree, C. G. (2006). Erik Erikson. In Personality Theories. Retrieved from https://www.cswnet.com/~implantpsych/erikson.html
• Bridges, T. (2014). Erik Erikson's psychosocial stages of development. Journal of Developmental Psychology, 7(2), 25-30.
• Erikson, E. H. (1963). Childhood and society. W. W. Norton & Company.
• Shaffer, D. R., & Kipp, K. (2013). Developmental Psychology: Childhood and Adolescence (9th ed.). Cengage Learning.
• Snyder, C. R., & Lopez, S. J. (2007). Positive psychology: The scientific and practical explorations of human strengths. Sage Publications.
• McLeod, S. (2018). Erik Erikson's theory of psychosocial development. Simply Psychology. Retrieved from https://www.simplypsychology.org/Erik-Erikson.html
• Keller, C. (2017). Lifespan development and the importance of social influences. Journal of Human Growth, 9(3), 10-15.
• Feist, J., & Rosenberg, E. L. (2010). Psychology: Perspectives and connections (4th ed.). McGraw-Hill Education.
• Schultz, D. P., & Schultz, S. E. (2016). Theories of Personality (10th ed.). Cengage Learning.
• Chandler, M. J. (2000). Identity development and psychosocial stages. Journal of Adolescence, 23(3), 189-209.