Question

Think about Erikson’s psychosocial theory of life-span development and how it is related to your life.

a) Describe the stage of Erikson’s theory that you are supposed to be in. Do you think that this describes the major things currently going on in your life? Explain why or why not. Be sure to describe Erikson’s stage that you are discussing, and to include specific events from your life.

b) Think over your past. Do you think that you are still struggling with any of the earlier stages of Erikson’s theory? Explain why or why not. Be sure to describe Erikson’s stage(s) that you are discussing, and to include specific events from your life.

c) Do you think that Erikson’s theory is a good theory? Explain whether you think it is a good explanation for events in your life.

Answer 1

The Erik Erikson's theory played a major role in the field of personality development. He has developed 8 staged right from the period of infacy to old age. It has got well order and each stage is depedant upon the previous stage. This is called as epigenetic principle.

ans a) I am aging 32, hence I am in the 6th stage of Intimacy vs Isolation. iT takes place between the age of 18-40. This stage states that we share ourselves more intimately with others, we explore relations, there are major conflicts in the love relations. I believe that yes, I am going through this stage, there are many interpersonal relationships and also conflicts which arise due to these. At the ages of 18 new friends etc were there, soe where at the age of 25 I got married hence I was into new intimate relationship but again there are at times conflicts between us. I got a child, hence a new paradigm of being parents, new responsibilty, new role. All these things lead to . As he theory states that if I avoid intimacy,love I feel isolated, insecure, depressed etc.

ans b) In the stage 5 - Identity vs Role confusion which is between (12-18 years if age). In the indivisual examines and reexamines his or her identity, try to find people of similar mindset to discuss things. There is curiosity also. I feel that this stage stil exist in me, I try to observe or make friends with moms who have same view like mone towards raising kids, I also like to have friendship with daughter-in laws just like mine coming from middle class background and how they are leading their lives.

Ans c) Not all the aspects are true, for eg: the stage 5 would exist even in the old age also. But the theory is good. It correctly points out what is going in person's life as per the stages. I think that whenever I read his theory I find myself relating with each stage. In the industry vs inferiority, there was inferior complex developed in school days, which I tried to overcome . As stated in this stage the child's peer groups are the source of self esteem, same was me, I has started believing a lot in group of friends etc.