Theoretical Approaches to Development a
Theoretical Approaches to Development and Learning
Assessment Reports 1, 2 and 3
Karen Lindsay
Psychosocial Theories of Erik Erikson
Erik Erikson was born in Frankfurt, Germany in 1902. His association with Psychology began when he met one of our most renowned theorist’s daughters, Anna Freud, daughter of Sigmund. He was an artist and teacher who through persuasion from Anna went on to study child psychoanalysis at the Vienna Psychoanalytic Institute. He continued his studies in the United States in the early 1930’s joining the faculty of medicine at Harvard before moving onto Yale University, it was here that he became interested in the influence of culture and society on child development and through this learning he went on to write his acclaimed first book, Childhood and Society. This book published in 1950 has been rendered a classic by educators, psychologists, and sociologists.
Erikson’s theories are that of psychosocial development, which he named the Eight Ages of Man, it covers the entire life span of a human being, showing how children develop the foundations for emotional and social development and mental health. The basis of his theory is that there is a task that must be accomplished at each stage of development, at each stage they form personality strengths or weaknesses based on the completion of each stage. Erikson was convinced that in the earliest years of life, patterns develop that influence a person’s actions and interactions for the rest of his or her life. Although he did believe that it was possible to go back and renegotiate issues from a previous stage of development and that each stage continued to present themselves at times of crisis in work and love throughout our lives.
AGE
STAGE
STRENGTH DEVELOPED
BIRTH TO 12 MONTHS
TRUST VS MISTRUST
HOPE
1-3 YEARS
AUTONOMY VS SHAME AND DOUBT
WILLPOWER
3-6 YEARS
INITIATIVE VS GUILT
PURPOSE
6-11 YEARS
INDUSTRY VS INFERIORITY
COMPETENCE
ADOLESCENCE
IDENTITY VS ROLE
Assessment Reports 1, 2 and 3
Karen Lindsay
Psychosocial Theories of Erik Erikson
Erik Erikson was born in Frankfurt, Germany in 1902. His association with Psychology began when he met one of our most renowned theorist’s daughters, Anna Freud, daughter of Sigmund. He was an artist and teacher who through persuasion from Anna went on to study child psychoanalysis at the Vienna Psychoanalytic Institute. He continued his studies in the United States in the early 1930’s joining the faculty of medicine at Harvard before moving onto Yale University, it was here that he became interested in the influence of culture and society on child development and through this learning he went on to write his acclaimed first book, Childhood and Society. This book published in 1950 has been rendered a classic by educators, psychologists, and sociologists.
Erikson’s theories are that of psychosocial development, which he named the Eight Ages of Man, it covers the entire life span of a human being, showing how children develop the foundations for emotional and social development and mental health. The basis of his theory is that there is a task that must be accomplished at each stage of development, at each stage they form personality strengths or weaknesses based on the completion of each stage. Erikson was convinced that in the earliest years of life, patterns develop that influence a person’s actions and interactions for the rest of his or her life. Although he did believe that it was possible to go back and renegotiate issues from a previous stage of development and that each stage continued to present themselves at times of crisis in work and love throughout our lives.
AGE
STAGE
STRENGTH DEVELOPED
BIRTH TO 12 MONTHS
TRUST VS MISTRUST
HOPE
1-3 YEARS
AUTONOMY VS SHAME AND DOUBT
WILLPOWER
3-6 YEARS
INITIATIVE VS GUILT
PURPOSE
6-11 YEARS
INDUSTRY VS INFERIORITY
COMPETENCE
ADOLESCENCE
IDENTITY VS ROLE
References: Erickson, Erik. (1950) Childhood and Society W.W Norton and Company Coles, Robert (2000) The Erik Erikson Reader W.W Norton and Company “Neuroscientists now understand that the brain’s neurons continue to both develop (plasticity) and disappear (pruning) throughout most of our lives. However, we experience the greatest growth-and a high volume of pruning-in early childhood…this process slows down somewhat after birth. However, up until the age of 12, pathways continue to be formed and….develop as the child interacts with the environment. Those neurons that are not stimulated or make connections to other neurons are pruned away and dissolved… providing meaningful, positive experiences for children actually alters the formation of their brains!” Stephen Rushton and Anne Juola-Rushton, "Linking Brain Principles to High-Quality Early Childhood Education”, November-December 2011 issue of Exchange Magazine www.encyclopedia.com/psychology and psychiatry: Biographies, Erik Erikson