Erickson's Theory of Human Development

I 'm sure you 've heard the term "Identity Crisis " before . It is designed as a conflict of self and society and its introduction came from one of the most famous psychoanalyst of the 20th century.

Sigmund Freud is probably the most familiar name that comes to mind when one thinks of famous psychologists. Fundamental basic theories of instinct, phallic symbol obsession and oedipal complexes are prevalent in almost all artistic aspects of our culture. However, he was a friend and colleague of Freud psychoanalyst Erik Erickson, who created one of the main theories that provide a window for the development of everything that makes us what we are inside. This is called the theory of human development Erickson and simplifies the complex subject of human personality.

First, talk about the man himself . Erik Homberger was born in Frankfurt, Germany in 1902. The conditions under which life began to give much information about his obsession with identity. He was challenged with her statistics. His parents were not married and his Danish father left before Erik was born. His Jewish mother married Erik 's pediatrician when he was three years old. Erik had Nordic features, tall, blond and had blue eyes . Neither the Jewish children in the temple, nor the German children to school accept .

Growing up, psychology and art began to interest Erik and led to various institutes including one where he was psychoanalyzed by Anna Freud , Sigmund 's wife . The two later became close friends Erickson. When the Nazis came to power , Erik moved to Boston, where he studied psychoanalysis of the child and was influenced by many psychologists and anthropologists Mead, but many famous psychologists and anthropologists.

It is considered an ego - Freudian psychologist , which means that you have the foundation of Freud's theories , but differs from the approach of the social and cultural orientation. Erickson's theory is closely related to personality growth with parental values ​​and society. His 1950 book , Childhood and Society, is considered a classic in its field.

There are eight stages of human development , each focusing on a different conflict that we have to solve for the success of development in the next stage of our lives. The idea is that if we solve each stage or we choose evil of the two options , our ability to cope with successive stages and failure deteriorates back to us at some point in the future.

First step : Oral Sensory

Age: from birth to 12-18 months

Conflict : Trust vs. mistrust

Link primary caregiver of the child, it is the trust and love . The connection with the person ( usually the mother) allows them to feel they are safe and can trust the person who is basically all they know . It is touch and be there and you can see in this tender look that you get what you give them.

Step Two : Muscle Anal

Aged 18 months to 3 years

Conflict : Autonomy vs. Doubt

This stage focuses on self-control and self-confidence and Erickson gives a sphincter control as the best example of this conflict. He also notes that this is the stage where an overprotective parent can do the most damage . The child wants autonomy. We are all familiar with waiting two hours because they have to tie their own shoes. Hope at this point, the lack of strengthening these efforts will allow for themselves and their child confidence doubt .

Step Three: locomotor

Age: 3-6 years

Conflict Initiative against Guilt

This has to do with the independence and let the child has his / her initiative. This is the stage that carries the car keys or help mom as much as possible is very important. They develop a sense of responsibility and limitations. They will try to do things that can not and the parent's response gives them , encouragement or refusal to allow the child to understand the limitations and without guilt.

Step Four: Latency

Ages: 6-12 years

Conflict: Industry vs. inferiority

It is the termination. Before this stage, we are all familiar with the child starts to do something, but then snap , and you drop something else. At this stage, the realization and the pleasure it brings becomes crucial. This is largely influenced by their introduction to school beyond kindergarten. It is the union of mental and physical abilities as well . Parents should encourage their children to manage the different experiences of a family atmosphere in the school , among others.

Step Five: Adolescence

Ages: 12 to 18

Conflict: Identity vs. Role Confusion

This step can be a book in itself, as a teenager. They are difficult for everyone , but especially the child herself . They are aware that they will become a contributor to society (industry) and research that drives their actions and thoughts. The desire to know what they want and feel separated from what they took from their parents is crucial to your self-esteem.

Step Six: young adults

Age : 19 to 40 years

Conflict : psychosocial development

Romantic relationships dominate this stage for all of us depends largely on our ability to resolve conflicts encountered in the fifth stage and . Can you have a private life ? Can you be free? Can we trust them? Intimacy refers to as the ability to make a personal commitment and does not necessarily mean sex. Personal commitment , met with mutual satisfaction , make a successful step. If you can not manage this stage , an adult will resort to isolation.

Phase Seven : Middle adulthood

Ages: 40-65 years

Conflict : The generativity vs. stagnation

The words get bigger, but stay with me . Generativity is our ability to care for another person who is especially illustrated in parenting . In particular, the ability to direct someone in society and the next generation. We do not focus on the death, but we begin to understand that we are rich in the order of society and society must something. If we have not responded to our previous conflicts , we become stagnant and our lives will not present all that we can look back .

Phase Eight : Maturity

Age: 65 to Death

Conflict: Ego Integrity vs. Despair

This is when we begin to reflect on our lives, accept it for what it was. If we have done well in the previous steps , in particular the seventh stage , you can feel a sense of accomplishment and accept death as an inescapable reality in dignity. If we do not do well , we can be filled with sorrow and despair for the time runs out and the fear of death.

When you read through the steps , it is impossible not to identify them as experienced or you see your children suffer . However, Erickson's theory is not without criticism. Many say that it is too focused on infancy and childhood, and not very useful later in life. Others say it really applies to children do not use Erickson 's belief ( Freudian ) that boys and girls naturally develop different personalities.

In general, the theory of human development Erickson is widely accepted and plays an important role in all the studies and theories of human development and psychology . The best advice is to use the theory as a framework or a map to understand and identify what issues / unresolved lead to current behavior conflict and prepare for future steps.