Erik Erikson’s theory of identity crisis emphasizes on cultural and social roles in the identity of the ego (Engler, 23). According to him, it is possible for people to continue developing in their adulthood. The stages that develop in adulthood are Intimacy and Isolation, Generativity and Stagnation, and Ego Integrity and Despair. In the Intimacy and Isolation stage, young adults are likely to try and build their self-esteem. However, both Erikson and Piaget admit that in adulthood behavior is determined by the person nurture and nature. Therefore, in adulthood, people build on to what they already have from the growth done in the previous years. According to Piaget, plasticity makes it difficult for people to change their identities or who they are. Socialization determines the self-esteem and confidence levels of a person. Albert Bandura’s Theory of Social Learning, on the other hand, builds on classical and operant conditioning and adds that behavior is learned from the environment through observation, and the mediating process takes part after the introduction of a stimulus (Engler, 47-50). The mediating process determines the response towards a stimulus. Therefore, psychological disorders are likely to manifest themselves in people who grew in a conducive environment. The environment plays a large part in determining the esteem and plasticity levels of a person.
These theories are important in helping determine a person’s personality, not only in his childhood but also in adulthood. Some personalities manifest in adulthood, and therefore, it is important that they are understood, and their causes were known. For example, Erikson’s theory tackles personality even in old age, while Piaget’s theory only focuses on the four phases of cognitive development. Bandura’s theories, on the other hand, begin in childhood all the way to adulthood (Dacey et al, 45). Therefore, the theories play a huge role in helping psychologists determine a person’s personality, including those that manifest in adulthood.
Information gained from the theories applies to real life situations. Psychologists and counselors depend on the information they acquire to establish their client's personalities, identity crisis or even psychological disorders (Dacey et al, 55-78). For example, Jean Piaget’s Theory of Cognitive Development helps assess clients on whether their cognitive abilities are well developed. A psychologist will also identify a person who has failed to achieve the cognitive abilities that are standard for his age, and his judgment will be used in helping the person understand himself and develop as he should. Additionally, in the case of cognitive stagnation at a particular stage, the psychologists will advise the parents and those associated with the person how to successfully relate with the person.
Works Cited
Dacey, John S., and John F. Travers. Human development across the lifespan. Vol. 1. New York: McGraw-Hill College, 2002.
Engler, Barbara. Personality theories : an introduction. Belmont, Calif. : Wadsworth Cengage Learning, 2014.
