After completing the group theoretical framework project for class, I was able to further understand the difference between traditional and alternatives theories. Furthermore, I obtain a better understanding and perception of both Erickson and Gilligan’s theories. This paper will on reflect my critical understanding and perceptions of the use of Erikson and Gilligan’s theories with marginalized populations in social work practice. As well as any ethical issues that I saw when applying these theories to a client’s situation. Traditional Theory: Erick Erikson Erik H. Erikson was born in 1902. Erikson developed a psychoanalytic theory of psychosocial development. His work was greatly influenced by Sigmund Freud theory. Over the middle of …show more content…
Erikson’s theoretical framework has faced many criticism over the years. Erikson’s Framework has been criticized for “conclusions about the relationship between anatomy and gender identity, an underdeveloped perspective on the centrality of intimacy and attachment, and for both falsely differentiating men and women or at other times overgeneralizing from men on to women” (Malone, Liu, Vaillant, Rentz, Waldinger, 2016).Furthermore, other theorist have argued that he focused more on male development rather than women’s. In addition, Erikson’s theoretical framework follows a more traditional ideals of family. Erikson's framework suggested that family members (especially parents and siblings) provide the primary motivation for early psychosocial development. However, in today society, “during the early stages of psychosocial development extrafamilial caregivers are more involved now than they were six decades ago” (Jones, Vaterlaus, Jackson, & Morrill, 2014). In recent years, the idea child care has shifted from parents to a variety of caregivers. Now more children are in daycare and other learning …show more content…
It’s important to recognize that many of the research that have been done in previous years had been focus mainly on men. Women were not included. Theorist such as Erikson and Kohlberg main focus was on men. Gilligan saw that has a failure to see the differences between men and women. Her theory offers social workers a way to understand how women and men experience things. Gilligan’s theory help us to understand how clients may see themselves, and how they make moral decisions. Using her theory social worker can get a better understanding of women identity formation, moral development and their relationship between care and
Erik Erikson developed the psychosocial theory, and “he describes our social experiences during our whole life span using eight different stages” (Cherry 2015). The first four stages are “trust vs. mistrust; which describes how the child needs to be able to trust their adult figures, autonomy vs. shame and doubt; which is about person control, initiative vs. guilt; which is about children learning to lead others, industry vs. inferiority; which is about gaining a sense of pride in things” (Cherry 2015). The final four stages are “identity vs. confusion; which begins the sense of self, intimacy vs. isolation; which explores personal relationships, generativity vs. stagnation; which focuses on career and family, and the final stage being integrity vs. despair; which describes reflecting back on life” (Cherry
The organization of this paper will first look at the major assumptions of Erikson’s theory followed by the major assumptions of Piaget’s. This pattern will continue throughout each section; Strengths and Limitations, Social Oppression / Social Privilege, Theory in Social Work Practice.
Erik Erikson was heavily influenced by Freud but while Freud was an ID psychologist, Erikson was an ego psychologist. Erikson stressed that the development of the ego depended heavily on personal and social aspects. “According to Erikson, the ego develops as it successfully resolves crises that are distinctly social in nature. These involve establishing a sense of trust in others, developing a sense of identity in society, and helping the next generation prepare for the future” (McLeod, S. 1970). His theory focused on personality development through eight distinct stages. He believed that personality progressed in a stacking or pre-determined manner, this is referred to as the epigenetic principle. One must
First, the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) Code of Ethics Preamble (2008) states, “The primary mission of the social work profession is to enhance human wellbeing and help meet the basic human needs of all people.” In RCT, the goal is also to enhance wellbeing through the basic need for connection and growth-empowering relationships which is based on mutual empowerment for all people (Banks, Jordan, & Walker, 2011). Further, the NASW (2008) lists their core values to be: “service, social justice, dignity and worth of the person, importance of human relationships, integrity, and competence.” All of these values define RCT, because it emphasizes human relationships and the “five good things” (Jordan, 2008, p.2) that promote authenticity, respect, self-esteem, dignity, equality, and acts that promote relationships that empower others for an inclusive society (Banks, Jordan, & Walker,
The National Association of Social Workers, NASW, considers the following as its six most core values; service, social justice, dignity and worth of the person, importance of human relationships, integrity, and competence. The value of service is considered to be a core value because offering help to those in need is a crucial goal for all of those looking to practice in the field of Social Work. These services can include, but are not limited to, addressing social problems, helping those in need, and volunteering their knowledge to those who cannot otherwise afford such help. Social Justice is also an important core value for a Social Worker to develop. As a Social Worker one will encounter many people from several different walks of life, no two cases will ever be exactly the same. Some of these walks of life can leave a client vulnerable, defenseless, exploited, oppressed, and troubled. Therefore it is important to learn what Social Justice is, and how to help people from falling victim to injustice. Dignity and Worth of the Person is one of the most important values that one should uphold. People who need the help of a Social Worker many, but not all, times feel powerless, embarrassed, and worthless because they feel as though they cannot control aspects of their life an...
Erik H. Erikson was a significant psychologist that greatly changed the field of child development. In the 1950’s, Erikson advanced a Freudian approach in development. He viewed that social development as a series of eight challenges that people have to overcome. Each challenge has an outcome that’s either favorable or unfavorable. The outcome drastically affects a person’s personality. For example, in a favorable outcome, the result can leave a positive feeling. With a positive outlook, it’s easier for a person to cope with challenges in life. An unfavorable outcome can leave a person at a disadvantaged for the future. During the first couple challenges, Erikson believed that the caregiver has a great impact on a child’s development (Romero).
Assessment is a basic skill of generalist social workers. As my current place of employment does not employ any defined assessment, I will utilize information from a generalist text and a sample assessment. The parameters of a generalist assessment are often defined by the specific practise agency (Birkenmaier, Berg-Weger, & Dewees, 2011). The assessment is utilized to identify relevant information such as demographics and the major areas for work such as the client’s goals (Birkenmaier et al., 2011). Many theories such as psychoanalytic or strengths perspective can influence a generalist assessment based on the assessing social worker’s theoretical preference (Birkenmaier et al., 2011). The sample generalist assessment used focuses on the client’s: living skills; health and disability; educationemployment; legal issues; housing; significant relationships; understanding of the issue; demographics; and crisis management (National Council of Social Service, 2006). The social worker has the opportunity to delve further into those areas if deemed necessary by their agency (National Council of Social Service, 2006).
A client may expect a social worker of the same gender to agree with their own perspective. For example, in a couple going to marriage counseling with a female social worker, the wife may expect the social worker to take her side, while the husband may expect to receive little support. A social worker could also push how they feel about their gender on a client. For example, a female social worker may not approve of how a female client dresses and expect the client to dress the way she does or did at that client’s age. A client who is from the same culture as the social worker may expect the social worker to follow cultural norms, even if those norms are not in line with the NASW’s Code of Ethics. A social worker with a similar cultural background as a client may only offer certain resources, assuming the client will only accept resources that fit into the culture. Clients in the same age bracket as a social worker may feel the social worker is more of a friend and the social worker may find it difficult to earn the respect of a
Erik Erikson was born in Frankfurt, Germany just after the turn of the twentieth century. It is known that he was a product of an affair out of wedlock. He did not find this out until later in life, and it might have been his original inspiration for developing his psychosocial and personality theories. In the thirties, Erikson went to a psychoanalytic school with Anna Freud, the daughter of famous psychoanalyst Sigmund Freud. There he learned how poke into a person’s mind and access their deep rooted fears and feelings. He then moved to the United States following graduation to evade the Nazis (Erik Erikson, 2011).
There were groups that began in the 1950’s. Catherine’s earlies experiences were working and directing settlement houses during shortly after World War II, Dr. Papell became a skilled practitioner and strong advocate for social group work and took place in the social work profession. In 1966, in collaboration with her colleague, Beulah Rothman, Papell wrote an influential paper which was called “Social Group Work Models: Possession and Heritage.” This paper was an effort to integrate the several emerging individual psychologies being recognized by group work theorists and group work’s deep commitment to social reform, as well as the increasing knowledge of how groups grow and function as their members seek to bring them into existence — group process as a very human process. In 1978, also with Rothman, Papell launched and co-edited the journal Social Work with Groups: A Journal of Clinical and Community Practice published by Haworth Press. Papell and Rothman continued as co-editors until 1991when Beulah Rothman died. Papell’s had many accomplishment but one of the greatest ones that she had in her career was her efforts to restore social group work’s identity. In 1979, Catherine Papell and other group work educators recognized that Social Group Work was becoming invisible in the professional social work curriculum. At the CSWE Annual Meeting in Boston, three group workers, Papell, Rothman and Ruth Middleman put up a sign inviting attendees interested in social group work to attend a small meeting. There we many educators that responded. After the meeting in October 1979 the first annual Group Work Symposium was held at Case Western Reserve University where Grace Coyle had first taught Group Work as a part of the MSW curriculum. This helped in the rise to the creation of the Association for the Advancement
This class, Social Work Theory & Practice was made to be able to introduce me to social work theories, ideas, and skills needed to work in the social work profession. This class main tool used was a book called A Brief Introduction of Social Work Theory by David Howe which discusses social work theories in a compressive and explainable way. This class is important to my higher learning because it break down the theories that I will need to use during my practice and a...
Wilson, K. et. al., 2011. Social Work ' Introduction to Contemporary Practice'. 2nd ed. Essex, England.: Pearson Education Ltd .
Both Freud and Erikson theories are based on the psychoanalytic theory which according to Kathleen Berger is “a grand theory of human development that holds that irrational, unconsicious drives and motives, often originating in childhood, underlie human behavior.
Erik Erikson was a researcher of the Psychodynamic perspective who lived through the years 1902 to 1994. He developed a theory that dealt with the stages of human development and was referred to as a Neo-Freudian. A Neo-Freudian are those “who have revised Sigmund Freud’s theory” (Massey, 1986). His theory argued that “both society and culture challenge and shape us” (Feldman, 2011). Erik Erikson’s theory of psychological development does not specify specific ages, so the age categories can only be guessed upon. It is my personal thought that this was a smart move due to different age milestones for different cultures. The essay titled Erik Erikson: Ages, stages, and stories argues that the stages “are organized into a system of polarities that tempt us to think about psychological dynamics in a form that is more binary than Erikson intended.” Each stage has a ‘resolution’ or goal. Each stage presents a “crisis or conflict that the individual must resolve” (Feldman, 2011, p.16)
Erik Erikson was influenced by Freud and his concept of the ego. Erikson observed the impact of external factors on personality from not just childhood, but throughout the entire lifetime. He developed eight stages, which are split into different age brackets. As an individual passes through these stages, they must successfully complete the crisis to move forward onto the next one.