Analyzing Erikson's Psychosocial Stages Of Development

Tania Dakers
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ACAP Student ID:215672

Name:Tania Dakers

Course:Counselling Theories

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Educator: Denis Hay

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I declare that this assessment is my own work, based on my own personal research/study . I also declare that this assessment, nor parts of it, has not been previously submitted for any other unit/module or course, and that I have not copied in part or whole or otherwise plagiarised the work of another student and/or persons. I have read the ACAP Student Plagiarism and Academic Misconduct Policy and understand its implications.

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Tania Dakers
(Q.1.) Using the nature vs nurture theory I can understand Stevens case by suggesting that both nature and nurture has played a significant part in Stevens life. In the case study it says that Steven did not feel heard or attended to. I could suggest that nature (genetic inheritance) hasn’t allowed Steven to inherit the ability to feel closeness as his parents were unable to do this so it could not have been passed down. His ability to remain dutiful at home can suggest that his parent’s organisation and controlling personality had been passed on to Steven. I could also say that nurture came played a part in Steven’s life as he formed relationships with people who were into drinking, smoking and engaging in sexual activities. These activities are mentioned in the case study as being the demise of his relationship. I would argue that by using the nurture theory if he had not formed relationships with these people to engage in these activities he might not of grown up drinking ,smoking etc and ultimately would have saved his marriage.

(Q.2) Using the Freudian concepts of the id, ego and superego I could argue that Stevens id is overruling his ego and superego. Steven’s unsafe activities such as drinking, smoking and engaging in sexual activities confirms this. These activities enhance his gratification for self-esteem which stems from the id. The ‘forces’ being used in the id are too much, so the ego and superego are unable to contain these urges. During Steven’s childhood he may not have been able to gain gratification and self-esteem from his parents so he is acting on his biological drives. I could also apply Freud’s Psychosexual stages to Stevens case. When Steven was in the oral stage his Mother might not have attended to his needs. This could potentially see problems in adulthood (fixations) of oral behaviour such as smoking and drinking. I could also argue that Steven was in his genital stage of development, when the sexual activities started, and he was becoming aware again of his body and sexuality. Using the Freudian concepts I would work with Steven to strengthen his ego so his unsafe activities which had started in adolescence and is continuing into his adulthood can be changed. I would also try and identify any past childhood memories so that we could see if he is fixated in any of the psychosexual stages.

(Q.3.) I would see the situation for Stevens in terms of needs (Maslow’s Hierarchy of needs) and if his needs are being met or not. I could argue that Steven as a teenager was struggling to control his need for love and belonging from his parents so he was trying to meet that need by engaging in sexual activities. Steven’s sneaking out and drinking with friends could also be seen as Steven trying to meet the need of belonging to a group.

Tania Dakers Counselling Theories

(Q.4) I could help Steven using Piaget’s stage of cognitive development by suggesting that as an adolescent when Steven was engaging in the unsafe activities that he might not have yet developed enough cognitively. This would mean that Steven was unable to make proper informed decisions about his reckless behaviour which included smoking, binge drinking and sexual activities. Now that Steven is a 37 year old man Steven has developed enough cognitively to make informed decisions. In working with Steven I could help him to make changes to these activities and in doing so Steven might be able to prevent these behaviours in the future.

(Q.5) Erikson’s stages of development that is his psychosocial stages can help me understand and work with Steven in a slightly different way to Freud’s development theory.
Erikson idea of continued development through to adulthood can be beneficial in Steven’s case as he is still engaging in reckless activities as a 34 year old man. In middle adulthood of Erikson’s psychosocial stages the developmental tasks include fulfilling life’s goals that involve family, with a psychological issue of self -absorption if this stage is not met. Steven is self- absorbed. Steven’s drinking and extra marital affairs would suggest that he is only concerned with himself and if his gratification needs are met. In doing these activities he is showing little or no concern in fulfilling life’s goal that involves his family. This has ultimately led to separation with Steven and his wife. I would also ask Steven to talk about and elaborate on his early childhood. In the case study Steven had described his parent’s as controlling had they been controlling all his life? Lack of control over himself and his environment stems from the muscular – anal stage in Erikson’s psychosocial stages which happens around the ages of two and three. Drinking, smoking and sneaking out of his bedroom as a teenager might of given Steven a sense of control over himself. These were all Steven’s decisions so he had the power and control over that, something his parent’s did not. In Erikson’s psychosocial stages Kevin could have also been struggling with the adolescent phase. In working with Steven I would help Steven to achieve this psychosocial stage of early adulthood which is to establish intimate bonds of love and friendship with the optical outcome of commitment, sharing, closeness and love. If this is achieved then Steven will have another chance with love which does not include extra marital
affairs.

(Q6) All the personality and development theories mentioned above are just that they are theories. Freud’s theory of personality development has come into criticism for having little evidence to support it and it’s difficult to test. However the main goal of psychodynamic counselling is to bring the unconscious conscious and this is still influential today. By applying this to Kevin’s case we would work together to unlock his conscious to see where all his behaviours stem from. I would assist Kevin in exploring his fixations an enable him to overcome them. Using Maslow’s Hierarchy of needs “pyramid” I would be able to work with Kevin in making sure his needs are met before progressing up the pyramid and to reach the ultimate goal of self-actualisation. Erikson’s psychosocial stages would be used for Kevin to explore whether his childhood contributed to his reckless behaviours. As mentioned previously I would suggest that he had not completed the muscular-anal stage, adolescent stage and was struggling with middle adulthood. We could work together to understand and complete these stages giving Kevin the opportunity for a more fulfilled life. Piaget’s theory can be explored from his teenage years but seeing that Kevin is cognitively formed now he should be able to think logically about the impact his reckless activities are having on his life. Strengthening Kevin’s ego to help him balance his id and superego would also be of benefit for Kevin. This will enable him to think more rationally about what he is doing and the morals that were instilled on him as a young boy should come into play with the super ego further challenging his instincts.

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