Erik Theory

Erik Erikson 's Theory : Critiques

Erik Erikson 's most important contribution to psychoanalysis was his theory of psychosocial development of personality . This was a development of Freud 's psychosexual theory of personality . Erik put Freud 's theory in a more socio-cultural perspective . He has explained how an individual 's identity develops in a person 's complete lifespan He says : `[T]he process of identity formation depends on the interplay of what young persons at the end of childhood have come to mean to themselves and what they now appear to mean to those

who become significant to them (1977 , pp .106 (in Kroger , pp .17 . Erikson has used the term `epigenesis ' to describe the process of identity formation as well as broader aspects of personality change

Stages of Development

Erikson proclaims life cycles as a series of stages , critical periods of development which involves bipolar conflicts that must be addressed and resolved before one can proceed unhindered . According to the epigenetic principle , each stage has its time of ascendancy , until all parts have arisen to form a functional whole (Erikson . There is a proper rate and sequence of development which underlies all epigenesis (Kroger , pp .21

Trust versus Mistrust / Hope is the first stage of development . A child must find an adaptive balance between trust and mistrust , to resolve infant crisis and go on to the next stage of development . He also develops hope in the resolution of this stage

The second stage is Autonomy versus Shame and doubt / Will . This occurs during the second and third year of life , when a child is increasingly aware of his own self through control of his bodily functions and expression of motor functions and linguistic skills (Kroger , pp . 24 Toilet training during this stage provides to the toddlers an experience of will . His skills aid autonomy . Again a balance has to be maintained between autonomy and doubt to allay a sense of inferiority or , in other case , infallibility

The third stage of Initiative versus Guilt / Purpose during the preschool years , gives the child a sense of purpose and initiative , but there is a potential for guilt also . An optimal balance is required here also

The fourth stage is Industry versus Inferiority / competence . This occurs during the primary school years , when a child learns industry and develops competence . When industry is balanced with humility stemming from a subtle sense of inferiority

The fifth stage comes during adolescence and is known as Identity versus Role confusion / Fidelity . An adolescent finds his identity during this period , and identity crisis might lead to role confusion . But a balance between the two would lead to the development of fidelity . This is one of the most critical stages of a person 's life

Erikson goes beyond Freud here , to enunciate the next stage of Intimacy versus Isolation / Love . Intimacy here goes beyond sexual fulfillment . He says that intimacy is the capability to fuse two people 's identity into one without losing either . An unhealthy environment might lead to isolation...