U.1: Psychosocial Development

Question 1

what are Erikson’s belief?

Answer 1

Believed that personality development occurs through a combination of the effects of psychological processes which take place within individuals (psycho) and the experiences of the individual during their lifetimes, particularly their interaction with other people (social).

Question 2

what is a psychosocial crisis?

Answer 2

• A personal conflict an individual faces in adjusting to society.
• Each crisis involves a struggle between two opposing tendencies.
• Personality shaped by how we deal with the psychosocial crises

Question 3

what are erikson’s 8 stages of psychosocial development?

Answer 3

• trust vs mistrust (early infancy)
• autonomy vs shame and doubt (late infancy)
• initiative vs guilt (early childhood)
• industry vs inferiority (middle and late childhood)
• identity vs role confusion (adolescene)
• intimacy vs isolation (young adulthood)
• generativity vs stagnation (adultgood)
• integrity vs despair (late adulthood)

Question 4

facts on Trust vs Mistrust.

Answer 4

• Early Infancy
• Birth to 12 months - 18 months
• Children are completely dependent on others.
• Trust: Established when babies are given adequate warmth, touching, love, and physical care.
• Mistrust: Caused by inadequate or unpredictable care by cold, indifferent, and rejecting parents.

Question 5

facts on Autonomy vs Shame and Doubt.

Answer 5

• Late Infancy
• 18 months to 3 years
• This stage involves toddlers experiencing an enhanced level of independence while learning about the world through exploration.
• Autonomy: doing things for themselves
• Overprotective or ridiculing parents may cause children to doubt abilities sand feel shameful about their actions

Question 6

facts about Initiative vs Guilt.

Answer 6

• Early Childhood
• 3 years to 5 years
• Initiative: parents reinforce via giving children freedom to play, use imagination and ask questions.
• Guilt: May occur if parents criticise, prevents play, or discourage a child’s questions.

Question 7

facts on Industry vs Inferiority.

Answer 7

• Middle and Late Childhood
• 5 years to 12 years
• Industry: Occurs when a child is praised for productive activities, such as painting and building.
• Inferiority: Occurs if a child’s efforts are regarded as messy or inadequate.

Question 7

facts on Identity vs Role Confusion.

Answer 7

• Adolescence
• 12 years to 18 years
• Identity: For adolescents; problems answering “who am I?”.
• Role confusion: Occurs when adolescents are unsure of where they are going and who they are.

Question 7

facts on Intimacy vs Isolation.

Answer 7

• Young Adulthood
• 18 years to 25 years
• Intimacy: ability to care about others and to share experiences with them.
• Isolation: Feeling alone and uncared for in life.

Question 8

facts on Generativity vs Stagnation.

Answer 8

• Adulthood
• 25 years to 65 years
• Generativity: Interest in guiding the next generation
• Stagnation: When one is only concerned with one’s own needs and comforts.

Question 9

facts on Integrity vs Despair.

Answer 9

• Late Adulthood
• 65 years and above
• This phase occurs during old age and is focused on reflecting back on life.
• Those who are unsuccessful during this phase will feel that their life has been wasted and will experience many regrets . The individual will be left with feelings of bitterness and despair.

Question 10

what are three criticisms about the theory?

Answer 10

• Lack of experimental evidence.
• Mainly based on case studies.
• Hard to define terms (ex. “Trust” or “Generativity”).
• The theory primarily focuses on males.
• Identify formation likely to continue past adolescence.
• Effect of work/career on identity.
• Many adults do not experience a ‘midlife crisis’.
• Does not consider the influence of when and where people were born/grew up.