Analysis Of Erik Erickson's Intimacy Vs. Isolation

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Sigmund Freud believed that most of the personality development occurred in the first six years of life, however, Erik Erickson, a theorist added that human development is extended into adolescence and well into adulthood (McCarthy & Archer, 2012). It is undeniable, that human beings continuously develop with age in a physical, cognitive, and psychosocial sense. Erickson believed that with every added transition, a human being would enter the next phase in a smooth or abrupt manner. The transition is dependent on whether the person is prepared for the next phase or not. Erickson looked at the development across the entire lifespan, which he divided into eight stages. This writer is 31 years old and cannot recall stages one through two, therefore, …show more content…

Isolation. This stage is defined as the developmental task is to form an intimate relationship with another person, a lifetime partner, societal expectations: marriage, children (McCarthy & Archer, 2012). As this writer was in university, she decided that the medical field was not for her, and changed her field of study to Psychology. In this time, this writer would be her happiest as she felt more a sense of direction. She also met various men, whom she would be in relationships with, and would eventually lead her to a long-term relationship, marriage, and a child at 29 years old. This writer worked at 3 different places after graduating with an undergraduate degree and was able to hold her longest place of employment as a case manager. The highs, more independence, love for her child, and being more appreciative and understanding towards her own parents, now that this writer was a mother. The low points are not spending as much time with her child, due to maintaining a balance between full-time work and school. The strengths gained was that of love and affiliation, and major life change of being a mother, and feeling a sense of …show more content…

Clearly, by the writer discussing her own personal life and the different stages associated with a person’s lifespan is indicative otherwise. With age, a human being can grow more accomplished with a sense of peace or with despair and regret. The latter can be brought upon by bad choices, circumstances beyond a person’s control, and perhaps a lack of support and guidance in the early stages. However, this writer is an example, that early intervention in the early stages is suggestive of being life changing. In conclusion, psychosocial development is largely influenced by experiences in life, support from crucial family members, to teachers, friends, and intimate

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