Erickson: The Stages of Development

Erickson Stages

Erickson thought development was not gradual and and occurred through steps kind of like Freud. His steps were based on biological maturation, important new knowledge, and conflicts. He developed eight steps that focused on the changing of personality and developing your identity. Erickson developments stages differed from Freud's because Erickson focused on social environment and not sexual drives. Erickson believed that each stage in a person life that have to over come a psychosocial crisis and also learn a new skill. The stages took place through out your lifespan (Funder, 1997).

Stage one of Erickson development is trust vs. mistrust. This stage happens at 0-18 months. this stage infants develops a sense of trust and learns that to depend on others. Mistrust will form if the parents don't show they care or affection (Funder, 1997). Stage two is autonomy vs. shame and doubt. This stage begins when the child is 18 months through 3 years of age. In this stage the child needs to learn how to control skills such as physical skills, self control and independence. By doing this the child feels a sense of autonomy feeling as if they have control over their life. If the child feels like he/she has not achieve these skills, they feel a sense of shame and doubt (Funder, 1997). A good example of this is stage is a child mastering potty training.Stage three is intuitive and guilt. This stage begins at age 3 through 5 years of age. The child begins to explore, and began to from initiative ideas, they also begin school. the child because to play with others and gain a sense of power and control over things. If the child feels as if the parents support this and feel successful, they feel a sense of purpose. If the c...

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...s herself and her true identity. She realizes that she isn't always going to be the girl that everyone wants her to be but as long as she is true to herself that all that really matters (MTV, 2011).

Erickson Stage of development can be applied to characters in movies and television shows. These characters go through a sense of developing identities, maturing and leaning new things. With out this assignment I would have never applied these stages to shows that I watch every week. This assignment gives you a better understanding of the stages because you actually get to look at a movie or a show, where someone is struggling with one of the stage versus just reading about it.

References:

MTV. (2011, July 19). MTV. Awkward . Retrieved April 22, 2014, from http://www.mtv.com/shows/awkward/

Funder, D. C. (1997). The personality puzzle. New York: W.W. Norton.