The theory of psychosocial development developed by Erik Erikson is one of the best-known theories of personality. Erikson believed that personality develops in a series of stages and described the impact of social experience across the lifespan. Similar to Sigmund Freud, but unlike Piaget, Erikson believed that personality develops in a series of stages that are predetermined. Unlike Freud’s theory of psychosexual stages, Erikson’s theory, that of a psychosocial behavior, describes the impact of social experience across the entire lifespan. At each stage of development, Erikson described conflicts that act as turning points in life. This paper will discuss what Erikson’s theories is sheltered instruction, and how they apply to English Language Learners. The eight stages of development that Erikson suggests are important in teaching an English language learner for success. Without success, the student can develop mistrust, an inferior complex, role confusion, and feel isolated. In this paper, you will learn how these traits develop and how important they are to a student trying to learn a new language.
Erikson’s Developmental theories:
Erikson is most famous for his work in refining and expanding Freud's theory of stages. Development, he says, functions by the epigenetic principle. This principle says that we develop through a predetermined unfolding of our personalities in eight stages. Determined by our progress, each stage is considered by our success, or lack of success, in all the previous stages. Each stage involves certain developmental tasks that are psychosocial in nature. Although he follows Freudian tradition by calling them crises, they are more drawn out and less specific than that term implies (www.webspace.ship.edu). The eight stages are as follows.
The first stage, infancy or the oral-sensory stage is approximately the first year or year and a half of life. The task is to develop trust without completely eliminating the
References: Boeree, G. (2006). Personality Theories. Retrieved February 23, 2008 from http://webspace.ship.edu/cgboer/erikson.html. Hopkins, J Roy (1995). Erik Homburger Erikson (1902-1994). The American Psychologist, 50(9), 796. Retrieved June 2, 2008, from Research Library database. (Document ID: 6751760). Echevarria, J. & Graves A. (2007). Sheltered Content Instruction. Pearson Education Inc. This text discusses the many theories and modifications necessary to teach English Language Learners Essary, Jessica. (2007). A Challenge With the Greatest Reward. Childhood Education, 83(4), 224P. Retrieved June 2, 2008, from Research Library database. (Document ID: 1275350231). Hyun, Eunsook. (2007). Cultural Complexity in Early Childhood: Images of Contemporary Young Children From a Critical Perspective. Childhood Education, 83(5), 261-266. Retrieved June 2, 2008, from Research Library database. (Document ID: 1295272541).