Determining what is necessary in the care of a patient of psychology is a delicate process that can be informed by a variety of factors. First off, a certain understanding of the patient’s background and the severity of their situation(s) need to be established, and this can be done utilizing multiple psychological theories, finding factors of interest through events that the patient recounts in their life as well as observing their behavior and the opinions that come across in initial work. Abraham Maslow’s hierarchy of needs and Erik Erikson’s eight stages of development are two theories, in particular, that can help target the problem areas in the story of the patient, and then aid in prescribing treatment or finding a focus in continued work.
Maslow’s hierarchy of needs outlines the five essential needs of human beings, and ranks them from the most basic to the most advanced. It is his theory that human beings acquire one need at a time, climbing the ladder, as it were, until they become self-actualized, or completely at one with the self. (Sadri, Bowen, 45) They are, in ascending order, physiological, or the need for fundamentals like food, air, water, and shelter; safety, which holds a sense of financial and medical security; love/belonging, based on social and relationship security, romantic and not; esteem, or self-confidence and respect; and, finally, self-actualization, which encompasses the need for self-fulfillment. (Sadri, Bowen, 47) In looking at this hierarchy, one may be able to discern a ballpark figure of where the patient rests in terms of which of these needs they have yet to fulfill. This provides a focus and a trajectory for the psychological work, a sort of stepladder that will ensure that the patient is progressing in the right direction. Once the psychological prescription is made, or at least outlined, one can potentially discuss with the patient what they have accomplished in acquiring each need, and which of those tools and building blocks will help them ascend even further. This, depending on the patient, can be used as a tool in further pursuit of psychological wellbeing.
Erik Erikson’s eight stages of development can be useful in a different way in terms of prescribing treatment and attempting to understand and advise the patient at hand. The stages are outlined in two ways: by age range and by the development that occurs in the person’s ego within that particular stage. Unlike Maslow’s theory, this is far more defined, and it can be assumed that a patient of twenty-five years is in the sixth stage: Young Adulthood, and will be grappling with the Intimacy and Solidarity vs. Isolation phase of ego development. (Harder) This can be extremely useful in a therapeutic situation in terms of attaining a better understanding of the stage of the client. In addition, however, if the client describes fears or wishes that allude to a trust issue, it can be discerned that this problem could be traced back to a problem that occurred in Stage One, Trust vs. Mistrust. (Perry, Despland, 3) This can help put a parameter on the issues that need to be delved into, and provide some clarity for both patient and therapist. On the flip side of this, a traumatic event that occurred in Stage One of the patient’s life can be traced through their trajectory, and may reveal a trust issue that the patient is not aware of. This can help to alleviate problems in the patient’s life that don’t have an easily discernable root.
These two psychological theories are different in that they have a specificity that is easily applicable to the stories of the patient. They also are somewhat positive in tone and demeanor and can be relayed to the patient to give them a better understanding of the issues that they need to work through and how they need to work through them. Though both theories are extremely different, when utilized together, they can complement each other nicely enough to lead the therapist to a focused and positive prescription of treatment.
Works Cited
Harder, A. F., MA, MFT. (2009). Erik Erikson Stages of Development. Retrieved
February 6, 2012, from
http://www.learningplaceonline.com/stages/organize/Erikson.htm
Perry, J., & Despland, J. (2011). A PILOT STUDY OF WISHES AND FEARS
MOTIVES) AMONG PERSONALITY DISORDERS. Canadian Journal Of
Psychoanalysis, 19(1), 3-31.
Sadri, G., & Bowen, R. (2011). Meeting EMPLOYEEE requirements: Maslow's
hierarchy of needs is still a reliable guide to motivating staff. Industrial Engineer:
IE, 43(10), 44-48.
