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Erikson's eight stages of human development

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Identify Erikson's eight stages of human development and discuss the conflicts associated with each of them. Do you agree with his stages? Why or why not?

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Solution Summary

Identifies Erikson's eight stages of human development and discusses the conflicts associated with each of them. It also discusses the believability of Erickson's theory and if it is research validated. References are provided.

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RESPONSE;

1. Identify Erikson's eight stages of human development and discuss the conflicts associated with each of them. Do you agree with his stages? Why or why not?

The following crises are associated with each of the eight stages of Erikson's theory of development, and if the crisis is not successfully solved, the individual develops what Erikson referred to as maladaptations and malignancies. Briefly, "the theory describes the physical, emotional and psychological stages of development and relates specific issues, or developmental work or tasks, to each stage. For example, if an infant's physical and emotional needs are met sufficiently, the infant completes his/her task -- developing the ability to trust others. However, a person who is stymied in an attempt at task mastery may go on to the next state but carries with her or him the remnants of the unfinished task. For instance, if a toddler is not allowed to learn by doing, the toddler develops a sense of doubt in his or her abilities, which may complicate later attempts at independence. Similarly, a preschooler who is made to feel that the activities he or she initiates are bad may develop a sense of guilt that inhibits the person later in life." (http://honolulu.hawaii.edu/intranet/committees/FacDevCom/guidebk/teachtip/erikson.htm)

1. Infant - Crisis: Trust v Mistrust

If the parents provide a safe and consistent environment and are present (physically and emotionally) to meet the child's needs, the child learns to trust the world as being a safe place. The main relationships are between the infant and mother, where the mother must meet the needs associated with feeding and being comforted, teething, sleeping. Success leads to the ego strengths of hope and drive (faith, inner calm, grounding, basic feeling that everything will be okay - enabling exposure to risk, a trust in life and self and others, inner resolve and strength in the face of uncertainty and risk (http://www.businessballs.com/erik_erikson_psychosocial_theory.htm#erikson%27s_basic_virtues). The opposite is true, if the parent is not available and does not meet the needs of the child, and mistrust develops. One of two things can occur, as well emerge later in life:

? Maladaptation:Sensory Distortion (unrealistic, spoilt, deluded)
? Malignancy: Withdrawal (neurotic, depressive, afraid)

2. Toddler - Autonomy v Shame/Doubt

The toddler's task is to master the physical ...

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