Erik Erikson

The aim of this essay is to select a major theorist and discuss their contribution to the cognitive and social development in childhood. Erik Erikson was one of the most distinguished theorists of the 20th century. He discovered and developed psychosocial theory. He was also one of the first theorists to cover the entire lifespan of an individual. Erikson’s proposed eight psychosocial stages which he named â€Å"The Eight Ages of Man†, which range from birth to 65 years and onwards (O’Brien, 2008). Throughout this essay I will discuss stages one to four which occur during childhood 0-12 years old.Erik Erikson was born on June 15th 1902, in Frankfurt Germany. When Erikson finished school he left home and moved to Florence to pursue his interest in art and enrolled in Baden State Art School. A year later, he moved to Vienna where he became an art teacher in a psychoanalytic school for children run by Dorothy Burlingham and Anna Freud who was the daughter of Sigmund Freud. While in Vienna, he also took classes in the University of Vienna which led him to receive a certificate in the Montessori Method (Puckett and Diffily, 2004).This move changed his life and career. When Erikson met Anna Freud he became interested in psychology which led him to study psychoanalysis. He was influenced by the work of Freud and this turned his career towards the study of children and their development (Salkind, 2004). Erikson extended Freud’s theory by combining his primary assumptions and expanding on them, considering other factors that could influence development. Erikson’s theory highlights that an individual’s personality develops in stages from social and cultural experiences across the lifespan.Freud’s theory of personality development concentrates on sexual and aggressive impulses through different psychosexual stages (Keenan and Evans, 2009). Erikson's theory of psychosocial development helps us understand children's feelings and how their emotional and social lives affect their learning (Pound, 2011). Erikson’s theory describes that an individual’s personality develops at each of the eight psychosocial stages of life. Erikson suggested that at each stage there is a different sort of conflict or crises that arises between the individual and relationships with others.He believed that each crisis must be resolved successfully for the individual to be prepared for the next life crisis. A negative or positive outcome of how the crisis is resolved leads to the change and development of the individual (Shaffer, 2009). Erikson’s first psychosocial stage of life is called Trust versus Mistrust. This stage takes place from birth to one year. The basic idea of the first stage is for the infant to develop trust. This occurs when the child’s needs for warmth, food, sleep and nurturing are consistently met. The infant is completely dependent on the caregiver and relies on them to meet thei r needs.By providing the child with consistent care, the caregiver helps them to develop self-trust and the ability to trust others and their environment (Essa, 2010). In a case were the child’s needs are not adequately met, a sense of mistrust in themselves and others around them is developed. They then move through future stages with this sense of mistrust, seeing the world as threating place filled with unreliable or untrustworthy people. When working with children Erikson’s theory is still used in practice nowadays. Teachers working with infants take particular care to provide a predictable environment and consistent caregiving.Babies are completely dependent on adults to meet their needs. Therefore, it is very important that they are nurtured by admirable, positive adults who are affectionate and sensitive in response to the babies needs as soon as they occur. The infant can then start to develop a sense of trust in the world that will support their growth into th e next stage (Gordon and Browne, 2010). The second stage of life is known as Autonomy versus Doubt. This occurs from two to three years of age. According to Erikson during the second year of life toddlers begin to assert both their motor and cognitive abilities by trying to become more independent.Although they are still very dependent, they must learn to reach a balance between reliance on their caregiver and their desire to explore new things. One possible conflict revolves around toilet training. Successful growth through this stage gives the child a feeling of self-control and accomplishment of their own abilities (Essa, 2011). Erikson portrays a view that if children are made feel ashamed of their efforts they can develop a sense of self-doubt and insecurity. Children need to be able to express their growing independence within the safety of a loving, supportive environment.The search for autonomy not only requires great efforts from the child but also patience and support from their parents (Pressley and McCormick, 2007). For example, by encouraging children to explore and try new tasks parents hope to further their sense of independence. When children complete a task independently and successfully their sense of autonomy grows. Some children fail to develop a sense of autonomy. This may be because they failed at most tasks they attempted or discouragement from parents and developed a sense of shame and self-doubt instead (Newman and Newman, 2006).In early childhood education programmes children are praised for their achievements such as toilet training. A relaxed attitude from teachers and praise for their students helps the child gain a sense of independence without shame. Providing encouragement for both the child’s success and failure of a task gives balance between the child’s natural doubts and their drive for independence. The third stage of Erikson’s theory is Initiative versus guilt. This stage takes place from three to six years. During this stage children observe their parents and want to attempt many tasks that they watch them perform.Their sense of autonomy which developed from the last stage gives them the independence to attempt activities that are beyond their competency. If the parents give the child support and guidance in their new activities, this will result in feelings of achievement and pride in their own initiative. If the child is made feel that they are wrong for trying out new activities and are punished when the child tries to show initiative, they will be left with feelings of guilt (Berns, 2009). At this stage children have a great imagination and are very curious about their surroundings.In schools, children are encouraged to play with a variety of different toys to promote creative play and are exposed to different experiences such as school trips to learn more about the world. They are encouraged to ask the teacher questions, use their imagination and are given freedom to play a nd choose their activities. This promotes their feeling of initiative (Pillitteri, 2010). Erikson believed that the crucial point in this stage is the activity of children playing together. Playing allows the child to explore their communication abilities through such behaviour as deciding what to play.By using their initiative, children learn that they can make decisions, present a course of action and implement plans. As a result of this, children learn the basic skills of problems solving while working with other. These basic skills are an essential foundation for coping effectively in society (Carducci, 2009). The final stage of Erikson’s theory involved in childhood is called Industry versus Inferiority. During this stage the child has developed from their curiosity to try different things to their need to master certain activities (Ray, 2011).Such activities may include learning to read, write or playing a sport. As they start to master certain activities, children deve lop a sense of industry and begin to use their skills in a more personal way. For example, reading a book of their interest. While learning these skills in the company of their peers, some children may discover that their standard of skill is lower than others in their peer group. This awareness can cause the child to develop a sense of inferiority, and can lead them to lose interest in certain activities (Carducci, 2009).This feeling of failure and inferiority can result in the child giving up on certain activities because they believe they do not have the skill or ability required. Children continuously receive praise and attention for their efforts during school and social activities to encourage a sense of Industry (O’ Brien, 2011). Erikson’s theory contains 4 stages which are involved in the area of childhood. These four stages include trust vs. mistrust, autonomy vs. doubt, initiative vs. guilt and industry vs. inferiority. These range from birth to age twelve.Er ikson has helped to contribute to our understanding of child development through these eight psychosocial stages. He describes the important issues for young children and the support we need to provide to help them gain a healthy development. Erikson’s stages have provided a framework for teachers working with young children. By using Erikson’s theory this helps the teacher promote healthy development in there students and is still used now in the modern classroom. Reference List Berns, R. (2009). Child, Family, School and Community: Socialization and support. th ed. , Belmont: Wadsworth Carducci, D. (2011). The Psychology of Personality. 2nd ed. , Malden: Brooks/Cole Publishing Essa, E. (2011). Introduction to early childhood education. 6th ed. , Belmont: Wadsworth Gordon, A. and Browne, K. (2010). Beginnings and Beyond: Foundations in Early Childhood Education. 8th ed. , Belmont: Wadsworth. Keenan, T. and Evans, S. (2009). An introduction to Child Development. 2nd ed . , London: Sage Publications New, R. and Cochran, M. , eds. (2008). Early Childhood Education: An international encyclopaedia. Vol. , Westport: Praeger Newman, B and Newman, P (2006). Development Through Life: A Psychosocial Approach. 8th ed. , Belmont: Wadsworth. O’ Brien, E (2008). Human growth and development: An Irish Perspective. Dublin: Gill & Macmillian O’Brien, E. (2011). Psychology for Social Care: An Irish Perspective. Dublin: Gill & Macmillian Pillitteri, A. (2010). Maternal and Child Health Nursing. 6th ed. , Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Pound, L. (2011). Influencing Early Childhood Education: Key terms, Philosophies and Theories.New York: McGraw-Hill Pressley, M. and McCormick, C. (2007). Child and Adolescent Development for Educators. New York: Guilford Press Puckett, M. and Diffily, D. (2008). Teaching young children: An introduction to early childhood. 2nd ed. , New York: Wadsworth Ray, D. (2011). Advanced play therapy: Essential conditi ons, knowledge and skills for child practice. New York: Routledge Shaffer, D. (2009). Social and Personality Development. 6th ed. , Belmont: Wadsworth Salkind, N. (2004). An introduction to theories of Human Development. London: Sage Publications Erik Erikson The most interesting topic that we discussed in class the semester, was the theory that Erik Erikson had developed. Erik Erikson's theory of psychosocial development is one of the best-kenned theories of personality in psychology. Much akin to Sigmund Freud, Erikson believed that personality develops in a series of stages. Unlike Freud's theory of psychosexual stages, Erikson's theory describes the impact of convivial experience across the whole lifespan. One of the main elements of Erikson's psychosocial stage theory is the development of ego identity.Ego identity is the conscious sense of self that we develop through interaction. According to Erikson, our ego identity is fluctuating due to incipient experiences and information we acquire in our circadian interactions with others. I learned that when psychologists talk about identity, they are talking about the notions, ideals, and values that avail make up a person's comportment. Identity commences when were very puerile and it bec omes very paramount and critical in the adolescent teen ages. Shaping our identity never really ends it'll change for the good and maybe even for the bad for the rest of our lives.Our personal identity gives each of us something unique that dissevers one's self from every other person in this world. Erikson additionally believed that a sense of competence motivates someone’s actions. Each stage in Erikson's theory is concerned with becoming competent in an area of life. If the stage is handled well, the person will feel as if the have achieved something great, which is sometimes referred to as ego strength or ego quality. If the stage is managed poorly, the person will emerge with a sense of inadequacy.In each stage, Erikson believed people experience a conflict that accommodates as a turning point in development. In Erikson's view, these conflicts are centered on either developing a psychological quality or failing to develop that quality. During these times, the potential f or personal magnification is high, but so is the potential for failure. I believe that, that’s something that a lot people are faced with. It’s like having a dream and going after it, say for hockey. For me I dream big with it, I want to make it in the professionals.Therefore I’m taking a risk, I can either achieve what I’m aiming for or I can fail. I also feel that for my identity I need to be more than just a good hockey player. I need to be a good person all around. You see a hockey player, you’d never know he’s a professional athlete. But once you put the skates on him, he becomes a beast. So overall Erikson proposed a lifespan model of development, taking in five stages up to the age of 18 years and three further stages beyond, well into adulthood. Erikson suggests that there is still plenty of room for perpetuated magnification and development throughout one’s life.Erikson put a great deal of accentuation on the adolescent perio d, feeling it was a crucial stage for developing a person’s identity. Like Freud and many others, Erik Erikson maintained that personality develops in a predetermined order, and build upon each precedent stage. This is called this epigamic principle. The outcome of this ‘maturation timetable' is a wide and integrated set of life skills and abilities that function together within the autonomous individual. However, Instead of fixating on sexual development, he was intrigued with how children socialize and how this affects their sense of self. Erik Erikson The aim of this essay is to select a major theorist and discuss their contribution to the cognitive and social development in childhood. Erik Erikson was one of the most distinguished theorists of the 20th century. He discovered and developed psychosocial theory. He was also one of the first theorists to cover the entire lifespan of an individual. Erikson’s proposed eight psychosocial stages which he named â€Å"The Eight Ages of Man†, which range from birth to 65 years and onwards (O’Brien, 2008). Throughout this essay I will discuss stages one to four which occur during childhood 0-12 years old.Erik Erikson was born on June 15th 1902, in Frankfurt Germany. When Erikson finished school he left home and moved to Florence to pursue his interest in art and enrolled in Baden State Art School. A year later, he moved to Vienna where he became an art teacher in a psychoanalytic school for children run by Dorothy Burlingham and Anna Freud who was the daughter of Sigmund Freud. While in Vienna, he also took classes in the University of Vienna which led him to receive a certificate in the Montessori Method (Puckett and Diffily, 2004).This move changed his life and career. When Erikson met Anna Freud he became interested in psychology which led him to study psychoanalysis. He was influenced by the work of Freud and this turned his career towards the study of children and their development (Salkind, 2004). Erikson extended Freud’s theory by combining his primary assumptions and expanding on them, considering other factors that could influence development. Erikson’s theory highlights that an individual’s personality develops in stages from social and cultural experiences across the lifespan.Freud’s theory of personality development concentrates on sexual and aggressive impulses through different psychosexual stages (Keenan and Evans, 2009). Erikson's theory of psychosocial development helps us understand children's feelings and how their emotional and social lives affect their learning (Pound, 2011). Erikson’s theory describes that an individual’s personality develops at each of the eight psychosocial stages of life. Erikson suggested that at each stage there is a different sort of conflict or crises that arises between the individual and relationships with others.He believed that each crisis must be resolved successfully for the individual to be prepared for the next life crisis. A negative or positive outcome of how the crisis is resolved leads to the change and development of the individual (Shaffer, 2009). Erikson’s first psychosocial stage of life is called Trust versus Mistrust. This stage takes place from birth to one year. The basic idea of the first stage is for the infant to develop trust. This occurs when the child’s needs for warmth, food, sleep and nurturing are consistently met. The infant is completely dependent on the caregiver and relies on them to meet thei r needs.By providing the child with consistent care, the caregiver helps them to develop self-trust and the ability to trust others and their environment (Essa, 2010). In a case were the child’s needs are not adequately met, a sense of mistrust in themselves and others around them is developed. They then move through future stages with this sense of mistrust, seeing the world as threating place filled with unreliable or untrustworthy people. When working with children Erikson’s theory is still used in practice nowadays. Teachers working with infants take particular care to provide a predictable environment and consistent caregiving.Babies are completely dependent on adults to meet their needs. Therefore, it is very important that they are nurtured by admirable, positive adults who are affectionate and sensitive in response to the babies needs as soon as they occur. The infant can then start to develop a sense of trust in the world that will support their growth into th e next stage (Gordon and Browne, 2010). The second stage of life is known as Autonomy versus Doubt. This occurs from two to three years of age. According to Erikson during the second year of life toddlers begin to assert both their motor and cognitive abilities by trying to become more independent.Although they are still very dependent, they must learn to reach a balance between reliance on their caregiver and their desire to explore new things. One possible conflict revolves around toilet training. Successful growth through this stage gives the child a feeling of self-control and accomplishment of their own abilities (Essa, 2011). Erikson portrays a view that if children are made feel ashamed of their efforts they can develop a sense of self-doubt and insecurity. Children need to be able to express their growing independence within the safety of a loving, supportive environment.The search for autonomy not only requires great efforts from the child but also patience and support from their parents (Pressley and McCormick, 2007). For example, by encouraging children to explore and try new tasks parents hope to further their sense of independence. When children complete a task independently and successfully their sense of autonomy grows. Some children fail to develop a sense of autonomy. This may be because they failed at most tasks they attempted or discouragement from parents and developed a sense of shame and self-doubt instead (Newman and Newman, 2006).In early childhood education programmes children are praised for their achievements such as toilet training. A relaxed attitude from teachers and praise for their students helps the child gain a sense of independence without shame. Providing encouragement for both the child’s success and failure of a task gives balance between the child’s natural doubts and their drive for independence. The third stage of Erikson’s theory is Initiative versus guilt. This stage takes place from three to six years. During this stage children observe their parents and want to attempt many tasks that they watch them perform.Their sense of autonomy which developed from the last stage gives them the independence to attempt activities that are beyond their competency. If the parents give the child support and guidance in their new activities, this will result in feelings of achievement and pride in their own initiative. If the child is made feel that they are wrong for trying out new activities and are punished when the child tries to show initiative, they will be left with feelings of guilt (Berns, 2009). At this stage children have a great imagination and are very curious about their surroundings.In schools, children are encouraged to play with a variety of different toys to promote creative play and are exposed to different experiences such as school trips to learn more about the world. They are encouraged to ask the teacher questions, use their imagination and are given freedom to play a nd choose their activities. This promotes their feeling of initiative (Pillitteri, 2010). Erikson believed that the crucial point in this stage is the activity of children playing together. Playing allows the child to explore their communication abilities through such behaviour as deciding what to play.By using their initiative, children learn that they can make decisions, present a course of action and implement plans. As a result of this, children learn the basic skills of problems solving while working with other. These basic skills are an essential foundation for coping effectively in society (Carducci, 2009). The final stage of Erikson’s theory involved in childhood is called Industry versus Inferiority. During this stage the child has developed from their curiosity to try different things to their need to master certain activities (Ray, 2011).Such activities may include learning to read, write or playing a sport. As they start to master certain activities, children deve lop a sense of industry and begin to use their skills in a more personal way. For example, reading a book of their interest. While learning these skills in the company of their peers, some children may discover that their standard of skill is lower than others in their peer group. This awareness can cause the child to develop a sense of inferiority, and can lead them to lose interest in certain activities (Carducci, 2009).This feeling of failure and inferiority can result in the child giving up on certain activities because they believe they do not have the skill or ability required. Children continuously receive praise and attention for their efforts during school and social activities to encourage a sense of Industry (O’ Brien, 2011). Erikson’s theory contains 4 stages which are involved in the area of childhood. These four stages include trust vs. mistrust, autonomy vs. doubt, initiative vs. guilt and industry vs. inferiority. These range from birth to age twelve.Er ikson has helped to contribute to our understanding of child development through these eight psychosocial stages. He describes the important issues for young children and the support we need to provide to help them gain a healthy development. Erikson’s stages have provided a framework for teachers working with young children. By using Erikson’s theory this helps the teacher promote healthy development in there students and is still used now in the modern classroom. Reference List Berns, R. (2009). Child, Family, School and Community: Socialization and support. th ed. , Belmont: Wadsworth Carducci, D. (2011). The Psychology of Personality. 2nd ed. , Malden: Brooks/Cole Publishing Essa, E. (2011). Introduction to early childhood education. 6th ed. , Belmont: Wadsworth Gordon, A. and Browne, K. (2010). Beginnings and Beyond: Foundations in Early Childhood Education. 8th ed. , Belmont: Wadsworth. Keenan, T. and Evans, S. (2009). An introduction to Child Development. 2nd ed . , London: Sage Publications New, R. and Cochran, M. , eds. (2008). Early Childhood Education: An international encyclopaedia. Vol. , Westport: Praeger Newman, B and Newman, P (2006). Development Through Life: A Psychosocial Approach. 8th ed. , Belmont: Wadsworth. O’ Brien, E (2008). Human growth and development: An Irish Perspective. Dublin: Gill & Macmillian O’Brien, E. (2011). Psychology for Social Care: An Irish Perspective. Dublin: Gill & Macmillian Pillitteri, A. (2010). Maternal and Child Health Nursing. 6th ed. , Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Pound, L. (2011). Influencing Early Childhood Education: Key terms, Philosophies and Theories.New York: McGraw-Hill Pressley, M. and McCormick, C. (2007). Child and Adolescent Development for Educators. New York: Guilford Press Puckett, M. and Diffily, D. (2008). Teaching young children: An introduction to early childhood. 2nd ed. , New York: Wadsworth Ray, D. (2011). Advanced play therapy: Essential conditi ons, knowledge and skills for child practice. New York: Routledge Shaffer, D. (2009). Social and Personality Development. 6th ed. , Belmont: Wadsworth Salkind, N. (2004). An introduction to theories of Human Development. London: Sage Publications