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Question: Psychology - Compare/Contrast Theory - 1200-1600 w...

Psychology - Compare/Contrast Theory - 1200-1600 word total, paragraph format appreciated

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Instructions

Answer the following in 300-400 words for each element (4 total).

1) Identify, describe, and compare clearly the key elements of Freudian theory with Erikson's theories.

2) Highlight areas of agreement/disagreement between the theories chosen and analyze their conflictions or similarities.

3) What “improvement” on Freudian personality theory was the theorist you chose trying to achieve? Explain in detail and length.

4) Assess and describe in depth your theorist’s success in achieving this improvement.

(Notes: Sources must be recent, i.e., published within the past 10 years. While searching for the key elements on each of the theorists mentioned, refer to the fundamentals of the theories you are comparing.)

Explanation / Answer

1- Key Elements of Freudian and Erickson's Theory-

Freud as well as Erickson both came up with the theories of human development. Freud’s proposed that personality development was to a large extent determined by unconscious desires and needs whereas Erickson said that there is a major role of society in personality development. Freud’s theory came to be known as ‘Psychosexual stages of development’ whereas Erikson’s theory is known as ‘Psychosocial theory of development’. Erikson was influenced by Freud and both believed that development follows a series of predetermined stages. Despite this similarity, there are key differences in their theories. Let’s first talk about their theories separately.

Freud’s Psychosexual Stages of Development-

There are five stages of development-

Erickson's stages of development-

Because of the influence of social factors on human development, Erikson said that human development follows eight stages of development. Each stage is characterized by a conflict, if this conflict is successfully resolved then the individual moves on to the next stage. The stages are as follows-

1.

2- Areas of similarities and conflicts among the theories-

Freud and Erikson, both recognized the importance of the unconscious mind on human development and said that develoment follows a predetrmined set of stages, moving from one stage to another. They said that each stage of human is centered around a conflict, resolution of which determines whether the individual will remain fixated at that stage or will move on to the next stage. When the conflict is not resolved appropriately, emotional distress occurs, which can lead to mental illness. Both the theorists acclaimed that childhood is crucial to personality formation, and both theories say that childhood trauma can distort the development of personality.

Disagreements between Freud and Erickson-

Freud's theory heavily relied on sexual desires whereas Erickson said that social factors play a major role on human development. Freud's conflict centers around sex. Erikson's theory takes psychosocial approach, which means that people are shaped by society and desire to be part of a group. In Erikson's theory, conflict is resolved when a person learns to love and care for others. In Freud's theory, conflict is resolved when a person receives adequate gratification during the early stages of development.

Freud believed that an individual’s identity is majorly developed during adolescence. However, Erikson thought that an individual’s identity is build upon and progress throughout a person’s life. Unlike Freud’s thoughts that maturation had an important role, Erikson placed more emphasis on the cultural demands on a child.

3. Improvement on Freudian Theory-

Although both Freud and Erickson laid emphasis on ‘ego’, Erickson focused more on ego than Freud. Freud believed that individuals are born with the id and as they steadily grow and develop, the second part of personality, that is, ‘ego’, begins to develop. Erikson though accepted Freud’s theory, but saw the ego of paramount significance. He believed that part of the ego is able to function autonomously of the id and superego. He claimed that a person's ego gains or loses strength through the resolution of the eight developmental stages.

Erickson’s theory described the impact of social experiences on an individual's life. The stages in Erikson's psychosocial development theory highlighted the importance of social experiences. He explained that all the stages are unconditionally present at the time of birth but start to grow as one develops. The development is largely dependent upon one's upbringing, with special focus on family, social and cultural influences. Erikson's stages are characterized by a crisis, unlike Freud, which is dependent on parental and societal impact. Each crisis is defined by a pair of opposing possibilities e.g. trust vs. mistrust, and according to Erikson a healthy development requires a favourable ratio of positive to negative. Erikson's developmental theory was much more comprehensive as compared to that of Freud.

Another improvement of Erickson was that he divided the lifeline of an individual into eight stages, from birth till death. Freud’s stages culminated form birth to adolescence. Erickson talked about conflicts whereas Freud talked about fixations at each stage leading to mental illness in later life. Freud believed that when an individual is fixated on a certain stage, the problems associated with that particular stage would be carried out throughout his/her life. Where as in Erikson's psychosocial stages, the outcome of a particular stage is not permanent and can be changed by later experiences.Erickson’s theory described the impact of social experiences on an individual's life. The stages in Erikson's psychosocial development theory highlighted the importance of social experiences. He explained that all the stages are unconditionally present at the time of birth but start to grow as one develops. The development is largely dependent upon one's upbringing, with special focus on family, social and cultural influences. Erikson's stages are characterized by a crisis, unlike Freud, which is dependent on parental and societal impact. Each crisis is defined by a pair of opposing possibilities e.g. trust vs. mistrust, and according to Erikson a healthy development requires a favourable ratio of positive to negative. Erikson's developmental theory was much more comprehensive as compared to that of Freud.

Another improvement of Erickson was that he divided the lifeline of an individual into eight stages, from birth till death. Freud’s stages culminated form birth to adolescence. Erickson talked about conflicts whereas Freud talked about fixations at each stage leading to mental illness in later life. Freud believed that when an individual is fixated on a certain stage, the problems associated with that particular stage would be carried out throughout his/her life. Where as in Erikson's psychosocial stages, the outcome of a particular stage is not permanent and can be changed by later experiences.

4. Success in improving Freud's theory-

Both Freud and Erikson have contributed to the understanding of human development in psychology. Overall, although there are some similarities between their developmental stages yet there are major differences that stand out. Freud's stages were very physical where as Erikson's highlighted the importance of social interaction in an individual's lifetime.

Erickson's theory is well taken and very succinctly describes human development. Individuals biological make-up and experiences in life, both determine the level of development one reaches.

Erickson's, theory was put to test by Marcia. In his studies, Marcia, identified various forms of identity. There is ample empirical evidence about the people who form proper and coherent self-concept during adolescence are those who are most able to make intimate attachments during adulthood and are thought ot have a sense of integrity in later lief. These findings support Eriksonian theory, and suggest that those best equipped to resolve the crisis of early adulthood are those who have most successfully resolved the crisis of adolescence.

His major contribution to developmental psychology is the epigenetic principle which states that- 'human beings develop through a predetermined unfolding of their personality in several stages '. He successfully made improvements on Freud's theory which were well taken by psychology fraternity.

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