Comparing Z. Freud’s Conceptions and E. Erikson’s Theory of Psychosocial Development
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Psychosocial development theory is the theory of psychosocial reeks of personality, created by Eric Erickson, in which he describes the eight stages of personality development and focuses on the development of the individual I am.
The issue of personality psychosocial development is not only of scientific interest. Psychoanalysis seeks and finds the roots of the problems in the various stages of childhood and adolescence. It turns out that not only all of us from childhood, but our problems come from the same place. So, to solve problems, it is necessary to identify their origins in different age stages. E. Berne's Transactional Analysis theory and Freud give some food for thought.
Erik Erikson - the most readable in the U.S. psychoanalyst of the twentieth century, a disciple of Freud and his daughter Anna Freud, and studied in Europe. He created a new theory based on the teachings of Freud's psycho-sexual stages of development: oral, anal, phallic, latent, genital. Erikson's theory - a theory of psycho-social development, it includes eight stages of development of the "I", each of which worked and revised guidelines in relation to themselves and to the environment. Erickson noted that the study of personal identity becomes a strategic goal of the second half of the twentieth century, which was the study of sexuality in the days of Freud, in the late nineteenth century.
A difference between Erikson's theory and Freud's theory is in the following.
First, the 8 stages by Erickson is not limited to childhood, and include the development and transformation of the individual throughout life, from birth to old age, arguing that for an adult and mature age is characterized by its crises, during which solved the corresponding problem .
Second, Erickson examines identity, not in isolation, but in interaction with the environment, society and the process of socialization. He examines the transformation of the individual and the process of growing up, not only from the point of view of sexuality, but also from the point of view of man as a social being, and taking into account the psychological and social aspects.
This, of course, a more complete description of the development process, and therefore it is of great interest. Erickson examines age-conflict or crisis, keeping with the whole development chain only to crises. He merely asserts that psychosocial development occurs through the critical steps of turning points, moments of choice between progress and regression, integration and delay.
Each task of coming to his dominant moment, experiencing their own crisis and finds a sustainable solution for the designated stage. But all of these problems exist in some form or before they usually occurs critical time, each step requires the integration of all the others.
Erickson is very flexible approach to the consideration of age crises. He constantly emphasizes that life is changing all its aspects and that the successful resolution of problems in a single step does not guarantee a person from the emergence of new problems in other stages of life or the emergence of new solutions to old, already resolved, it seemed the problems. Erickson noted that the sequence of stages of personality development "leaves room for variations in tempo and intensity."
In other words, Erickson identifies eight key objectives which people somehow solves for his life. These problems are present at all age levels, throughout life. But every time one of them is updated with the next age crisis. If it is solved in a positive way, the man who has learned to cope with this kind of problems, more feel in similar situations more confidently. Not successfully passed any age period, it feels like a schoolboy who cannot solve the problem of some type and afraid if his low skills will be suddenly revealed.
This situation is not irreversible: never late to learn, but it is complicated by the fact that the time allotted to solve this problem, the cracks. New age crises brings to the fore new challenges every stage of age "toss" their tasks. And in the old, familiar often have neither the strength nor the time nor the desire to have. And they are drawn in the form of a negative experience, experience of defeat. In such cases we say that the man pulled the "tail problem." Thus, E. Erickson examines the correspondence between the stages of growing up and the problems that people are not deciding at a certain stage, and then pulls a lifetime.
The Relationship Between Erikson’s Theory and Socionics
What is common in socionics and Erikson's theory? Erickson argues that all the above problems are with the man always, but at each stage actualized one of them. And in socionics - all functions of model A are present in a person throughout life.
Erikson's theory, examines the 8 stages of psycho-social development of relevant age 8 crises. At each of these stages is solved its problem, important for the development of the individual, these problems get too 8. Naturally, I wanted to see if the correlation between them and the features of the 8 A.
Although Erickson has always insisted that a Freudian critics regarded him as "ego psychology," because, while the conservative Freudianism the focus is on ID, Erikson stressed the importance of the ego. If Freud's theory of development is limited only by my childhood, in the opinion of Erickson's development continues throughout life, with each of the stages of development of the specific notes for her conflict, favorable resolution of which leads to a transition to a new stage:
Infancy (0-2 years)
The baby with the developed sense of basic trust perceives its surroundings as a safe and predictable. He can carry the mother's absence, without undue suffering and anxiety about the "separation" from her. The main ritual of this mutual recognition, which persists throughout adult life and permeates all relationships with other people.
Ways of learning trust or distrust in different cultures are not the same, but the principle is universal: people trust the outside world, on the basis of confidence-building measures to the mother. Feelings of mistrust, fear and suspicion appear, if the mother is unreliable, inconsistent, rejecting the child. Distrust may increase if the child ceases to be the center of her mother's life when she returns to abandoned earlier studies (resume interrupted careers or giving birth to another child.)
Hope, as optimism about their cultural space is the first positive quality Ego, acquired as a result of the successful resolution of conflict, trust / distrust.
Infancy (1-3 years)
The second stage lasts from one to three years and meets the anal phase in the theory of Sigmund Freud. Biological maturation provides the basis for the emergence of independent actions of the child in a number of areas (walk, wash, dress, eat). From the point of view of Erickson's clash child with the requirements and standards of society is not only accustom the child to the potty, parents should gradually expand the possibilities of independent action and implementation of self-control in children.
Reasonable permissiveness contributes to the formation of child's autonomy. In the case of permanent guardianship over-inflated expectations, or he has the experience of shame, doubt and lack of confidence, humility, weakness. An important mechanism in this step is critical ritualization, based on concrete examples of good and evil, right and wrong, permissible and the forbidden, the beautiful and the ugly. The identity of the child at this stage may be indicated by the formula: "I am myself" and "I am - what I can."
If successful resolution of the conflict ego involves the will, self-control, and if a negative outcome - weakness.
Age of Games, Preschool Age
Third Period - "age play", from 3 to 6 years. Children begin to take an interest in the various employment, to try new things, communicate with their peers. At this time, the social world requires the child activity, new challenges and new skills, he has the added responsibility for themselves, for younger children and pets. This is the age when the primary sense of identity is "I - what I'll be."
One gets the dramatic (the game) component of the ritual by which recreates child, corrects and learns to anticipate events. Initiative associated with the qualities of activity, enterprise and the desire to "attack" the problem, experiencing the joy of independent movement and action. Child can easily identify themselves with significant others, readily lends itself to training and education, focusing on a specific goal. At this stage, as a result of social norms and prohibitions of the superego is formed, a new form of self-restraint.
Parents, encouraging vigorous and independent undertakings child, recognizing their right to curiosity and imagination, promotes initiative, expanding the boundaries of independence, the development of creative abilities. Close adults severely restricting freedom of choice, overly controlling and punishing children, presenting them with too much guilt. Children covered by a sense of guilt - passive stiffness in the future few are capable of productive work.
The fourth period corresponds to the age of 6 to 12 years and chronologically similar to the latency period in Freud's theory. The rivalry with the parent of the same sex have been overcome, there is a way out beyond the child's family and the introduction to the technological side of culture. At this time, the child gets used to the systematic training, learning to gain recognition, doing useful and necessary thing.
The term "hard work", "taste for work" reflects the main theme of this period, the children at this time engrossed in what they want to know that from which it is obtained and how it operates. Ego-identity of the child is now expressed as follows: "I - what I've learned." While studying at the school, the children are attached to the rules of discipline of conscious and active participation. The school helps a child develop a sense of hard work and achievement, thereby confirming a sense of personal power. Orders associated with school ritual - the perfection of execution.
If the child is encouraged tinkering, cooking, allow started to bring it to the end, praise for the results, then it develop a sense of competence, "skillful", the belief that he can learn a new business, develop the capacity for technological creativity.
If parents or teachers see in the labor force one child mischief and interference for "serious study", then there is a risk making his feelings of inadequacy and incompetence, doubt their abilities or status among peers. At this stage, the child may develop an inferiority complex, if the expectations are too high or too low adult.
The question that meet at this point: Can I?
Youth (before 20)
Youth, the fifth stage in the life cycle of the scheme Erickson from 12 to 20 years old, is considered the most important period in the psychosocial development of the person: "Youth - is the age of the final establishment of the dominant positive identity. It was then that the future, in reasonable limits, becomes part of a conscious plan of life. " This is the second major attempt of autonomy, and it requires a parent and challenge social norms.
A teenager is facing new social roles and associated requirements. Teens value peace and attitude. They speculate about the ideal family, religion, social structure of the world. Performed a spontaneous search for new answers to the important questions: Who he is and what he will become? A child or an adult it? As his ethnicity, race and religion influence the attitude of people towards it? In what will be his true identity, the true identity of an adult? Such questions often cause painful adolescent concern that others are thinking about him and that he should think of himself. Ritualization is improvised, it stands out the ideological aspect. Ideology provides young people with simplified but clear answers to key questions relating to the conflict of identity.
The task of the teenager is to bring together all available knowledge at that time about himself (what they are sons or daughters, students, athletes, musicians, etc.) and create a single image of the self (ego-identity), including recognition as past and prospective future.
The transition from childhood to adulthood is both physiological and psychological changes. Psychological changes are seen as an internal struggle between the desire for independence, on the one hand, and the desire to maintain a relationship of those people that you care about us, the desire to be free from responsibility for the fact that you're an adult - on the other. Faced with such confusion as to their status, the teenager is always looking for certainty, security, trying to be like other teenagers her age group. He developed stereotyped behavior and ideals. Of the "equals" very important for the restoration of self-identity. The destruction of rigor in dress and behavior is inherent in this period.
Positive quality associated with a successful exit from the crisis period of his youth - is loyalty itself, the ability to make a choice, find a path in life and remain faithful to their commitments, to the social fabric and stick to them.
Rapid social change, dissatisfaction with Erickson examines common values as a factor hindering the development of identity, contributing to a sense of uncertainty and the inability to choose a career or further education. Negative out of the crisis is reflected in poor self-identity, a sense of worthlessness, mental disorder and aimlessness, sometimes teenagers are thrown to the side of delinquent behavior. Over-identification with stereotypical characters or members of the counterculture inhibits and restricts the development of identity.
Youth (20-25 years)
The sixth psychosocial stage lasts from 20 to 25 years and is the formal beginning of adult life. In general, it is the period for the profession, courtship, early marriage, early independent family life. Intimacy (reaching close) - as the maintenance of reciprocity in the relationship, the merger with the identity of another person without fear of losing himself.
The ability to be involved in a love relationship includes all previous development challenges:
a man who does not trust others, it will be difficult to trust myself;
in case of doubt and uncertainty, it will be difficult to allow others to cross their borders;
a person who feels inadequate, it will be difficult to converge with others and take initiative;
lack of diligence will lead to inertia in the relationship, and the lack of understanding of their place in society - a mental disorder.
The ability to reach is committed when a person is able to build close partnerships, even if they require significant sacrifices and compromises. The ability to trust and love the other, to get satisfaction from the mature sexual experience, the search for compromise for general purposes - all point to the satisfactory development at the stage of youth.
Positive quality that is associated with a normal exit from the crisis "intimacy / isolation" - that is love. Erickson stresses the importance of a romantic, erotic, sexual component, but considering the true love and intimacy more - as the ability to commit yourself to another person and to remain true to this relationship, even if they require concessions or self-denial, a willingness to share with all the difficulties. This type of love is manifested in a relationship of mutual caring, respect and responsibility for the other person.
The danger of this stage - the avoidance of situations and contacts that lead to intimacy. Avoiding close experience of fear of "losing independence" leads to isolation. The inability to establish peaceful and trusting personal relationship leads to feelings of loneliness, isolation and social vacuum.
Question that is answered: Can I have an intimate relationship?
Maturity
Seventh Stage falls on middle years of life from 26 to 64 years old, her main problem - the choice between productivity (generative) and inertia (stagnation). An important aspect of this stage is the creative self.
"Mature adulthood" brings a more consistent, less unstable sense of self. "I" appears, giving more impact in human relationships at home, at work and in society. Already have a profession, the children became teenagers. A sense of responsibility for themselves, others and the world becomes more profound. In general, this step involves a productive working life and raising a style of parenting. Develop the ability to take an interest in human values, the fate of other people to think about the future generations and the future structure of the world and society.
Productivity acts as care of the older generation of those who will replace them - how to help them establish itself in life and to choose the right direction. If the ability of adults to productive activities so pronounced that dominates inertia, it manifested a positive quality that stage is care.
Those adults who fail to become productive, gradually moving into a state-absorption, when the main subject of concern - their own personal needs and convenience. These people do not care about anyone and anything, they just pander to their wishes. With the loss of productivity of the person stopped functioning as an active member of society, life becomes a satisfying their own needs, impoverished interpersonal relationships. This phenomenon, as a midlife crisis is expressed in a sense of hopelessness and futility of life.
Questions that is answered: What do you mean my life to date? What am I going to do with the rest of your life?
Old Age
The eighth stage, old age, starting after 60-65 years - it is a conflict of integrity and hopelessness. At the climax of a healthy self-development reaches integrity. This implies acceptance of themselves and their role in life at the deepest level and understanding of his own personal dignity and wisdom. The main job in life is over, it is time to reflect and fun with their grandchildren.
A person who lacks integrity, often want to live my life again. He may consider his life as too short to fully achieve certain goals, and therefore may experience hopelessness and frustration felt despair because life did not work, and start all over again too late, there is a feeling of hopelessness and fear of death.
A healthy solution is expressed in the adoption of their own lives and destinies. Wisdom and acceptance of adult life and the world of childish trust deeply similar and called Erickson a single term - integrity (wholeness, completeness, clarity).
Sources
Erikson, Erik H. (1993) [1950]. Childhood and Society. New York, NY: W. W. Norton &
Company. p. 242. ISBN 978-0-393-31068-9.
Erik H. Erikson: Childhood and Society, ch. 11 (1950).
Stevens, Richard (1983). Erik Erikson: An Introduction. New York, NY: St. Martin's Press. pp.
48–50. ISBN 978-0-312-25812-2.
Slater, Charles L. (2003), "Generativity versus stagnation: An elaboration of Erikson's adult
stage of human development", Journal of Adult Development 10 (1): 53–65
