Essay on Erikson’s Psychosocial Theory

  1. 3.      Using Erikson’s Psychosocial Theory, please explain thoroughly at which stage might children experience issues of self-discovery and individual awareness? Additionally, please address how parents could be better informed about this particular stage and the impending crisis.

According to Erik Erikson, there are eight stages of the human development from infancy to adulthood. The development on each stage is crucially important for the further development of the person. Each stage features the biological development, as well as socio-cultural development.

Children may start to experience issues of self-discovery and individual awareness at the stage named ”˜will’ (2”“4 y.o.). This stage is characterized by ”˜Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt’. The self ”“ discovery relates to the question that child asks himself or herself at this stage: ”˜Is It Ok To Be Me?’

At the stage of will children obtain a control over various functions, and it serves as the basis for the exploration of themselves and their surroundings.  It is important at this stage for parents to be patient and encourage their kids to form their own autonomy. The strong security base is also has to be provided by the parents at this stage.

The constant learning about environment is not the only characteristic of this stage, according to Erikson. It involves also the appearance of the first interests. The parents need to teach their kinds to be self-sufficient at this stage, but not too much. In the case the pressure over child is extreme; the unexpected results may be obtained. For example, the child that realizes the inability to cope with the problem may develop such negative feelings as shame and doubt.



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