Erik Eriksons Theory

Running Head : Erik Erikson 'sTheory

A Critical Review of Erikson 'sTheory

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Abstract

The Psychosocial Stages of Development is Erik Erikson 's major contribution to personality formation . According to his theory , an individual passes through eight stages of development . Each stage has its own unique characteristics

This will focus on the strengths and weaknesses of Erikson 's Theory as well as its application to adult learning and in real life

A Critical Review of Erikson 'sTheory

Erik Erikson 's Theory Explained

Erik

Erikson 's Psychosocial Stages of Development holds a significant place as far as studying and understanding human development is concerned . His place in psychology cannot be discounted because of the contribution he gave to the field . Although Erikson 's theory is similar in some aspects with other personality development theories , there are some unique distinctions as well (Marshall , n .d

His theory is comparable with Freud 's theory in a sense that both of them believed that the development of an individual passes through various stages . The difference between the two theories is that while Freud 's development stages focus on the libido or sexual drives Erikson 's psychosocial stages focuses on the evolution of social traits (Marshall , n .d

According to Erikson 's theory , an individual passes through eight critical stages throughout his life . Each of these stages have their own unique attributes and time period . As the individual goes through each development stage , their ultimate goal is to successfully complete each stage before they can proceed to the next . Failure to complete a stage may have unfavorable outcomes to the individual (Chapman , n .d

For instance , in Erikson 's sixth stage of development which is Intimacy vs . Isolation , the failure of the child to develop socialization skills or the ability to form relationships may cause him to become a loner individualistic , uncomfortable with other people , and others (Chapman n .d Erikson 's theory indicates that throughout the life of an individual they will experience a certain crisis . In the development stage mentioned above , the conflict they experience is their inability to develop social skills (Chapman , n .d

Application to Adult Education

The psychosocial stages of Erik Erikson is an implication that the formation of individual personality does not stop in childhood but is a lifelong process . The negative consequences of incomplete stages may manifest themselves during the later stages of life which is why it is important to as much as possible succeed in each stage (Chapman , n .d

For individuals who successfully completed each stage , they will have an idea of what to do when they are faced with a similar situation . Most of the time , these individuals tend to be stronger amidst the adversities of life (Chapman , n .d

Another implication of Erikson 's Psychosocial stages of development is that the person will have a better understanding of themselves , their strengths , weaknesses , their skills , abilities , and others (Chapman n .d

Critical Analysis of the Theory

An in-depth criticism of Erikson...