J. Piaget vs. E. Erikson

Jean Piaget and Erik Erikson had two different yet slightly similar beliefs as to how a person develops from birth to adulthood. Erikson believes that there are 8 stages of psychosocial development and Piaget believes there are 4 stages of cognitive development. Erikson’s studies revolve around the development of a child’s social ability to interact with others while Piaget’s studies revolve around a child’s physical and mental development. While Erikson’s and Piaget’s theories differ as far as ages at which certain stages occur, there are also many similarities. They both agree that children at a certain age are in a whole self consumed, basically, a child doesn’t see past itself in the area of needs/wants, etc. They both seem to agree that children develop their minds in basically the same age patterns and in the same ways but they don’t seem to agree with the pace that it happens. Piaget seems to throw all of the developments into large chunks of time frames while Erikson paces through the development in small time frames. I find Piaget’s stages more concrete for all children today as well as yesterday. Erikson seems to place mentalities on certain age groups when it is possible (in today’s society) for younger age groups to do the same thing. One example of this is his Generativity vs. Stagnation, he sets this at stage: Middle adulthood. It is all too possible for young adults to become focused on family and responsibilities rather than waiting until middle adulthood to achieve this stage. Unfortunately, this is the age of ‘babies having babies’ as more and more young people are forcing themselves to grow up too quickly. I think Piaget’s stages are more suited to today’s children since his theories are more set to basic development and Erikson’s are more mental and possibly outdated.

References:
Johnson, Zimbardo &. Psychology: Core Concepts eBook for Education Management Corporation. 6. VitalSource Bookshelf. Pearson Learning Solutions, , Monday, May

References: Johnson, Zimbardo &. Psychology: Core Concepts eBook for Education Management Corporation. 6. VitalSource Bookshelf. Pearson Learning Solutions, , Monday, May 21, 2012.