Erikson's and Piaget's Theories on Psychology
Intelligence and personality are two integral components involved in psychological development that can be examined according to concrete stages. The two most prominent researchers that investigated psychological development using stage theories are Piaget and Erikson. These two researchers provided perspectives on the study of psychology that had never been experienced before, and pioneered revolutionary ideas, especially in regards to stages of child development for Piaget and stages of development throughout the life-span for Erikson. Like all theories, the ideas proposed by these researchers have limitations, but they also both have important implications for the study of development as well as for the field of social work. Both Erikson and Piaget introduced theories that would continue to influence psychological research and practice. Erikson developed an eight-stage theory of psychological development that occurs as people grow through the entire lifespan. Each stage contained within this theory of development consists of a crisis that must be confronted and overcome. These crises represent psychological turning points that are characterized by "increased vulnerability" and "enhance
As early adulthood approaches, so does Erikson's sixth psychosocial stage of development, intimacy vs. isolation. At the forefront during this stage is the task of forming intimate, meaningful relationships with others. If individuals successfully form meaningful and intimate friendships and relationships at this stage, intimacy occurs. If individuals fail to form these intimate bonds, isolation occurs. The next stage in Erikson's theory of psychosocial development occurs between the ages of six to eleven years, and it is characterized by the struggle between industry vs. inferiority. At this stage there is a noticeable shift from play for the sake of playing to a genuine desire for completion and achievement. At this stage the child learns that tasks on which he embarks can have to possible results: praise and recognition for doing a good job, or failure. Miller et al. (2001) described Erikson's idea of integrity as "the highest level of adult functioning", and the last and final stage of psychosocial achievement in adulthood. Miller et al. (2001) explains how there are three aspects of Erikson's concept of integrity that relate to family and community integrity. First of all, individual integrity includes the ability to move beyond self-centeredness in order to truly love and care for other people. The second aspect is that Erikson's idea of integrity includes the ability for individuals to integrate the past with the present, which is important for healthy functioning within the family and the community. And finally, integrity is related to the capacity of individuals to relate their inner selves with the greater social environment. Miller et al. (2001) explains the concept of integrity as it relates on the family and community level as follows: taken together describes a relationship where families actively participate in community life in a way that strengthens community, and, in turn, communities offer families a supportive, nurturing environment...Family integrity (means) the ability of the family consistently to provide its members with the emotional, psychological, social, and economic foundations to support their engagement and involvement with the community...Community integrity (means) the capacity of a community to provide for its families a safe, economically viable and meaningful place to live, with equal justice for all. Following the autonomy vs. shame stage of psychosocial development is the initiative vs. guilt stage, which occurs between the ages of three to five years during the preschool years. At this point in life, children begin to experience a broadening social world and face new and more demanding challenges. These new challenges require active and purposeful behavior coupled with responsibility, which results in increased initiative. If the child is overly anxious due to their own irresponsibility, uncomfortable feelings of guilt may arise. However, Erikson believed that the guilt experienced by some children at this stage could be remedied quickly through a sense of accomplishment (Essortment, 2002). d potential" (Essortment, 2002). Healthy development results from the effective resolution of the crises within these psycho-social stages of development. The first stage of in Erikson's theory is the trust vs. mistrust., and this occurs in the first year of life. In order for an infant to feel trust in this stage, he must feel physical comfort and little fear about the future, and if the infant has a strong basic trust, he will maintain a hopeful attitude (Childstudy.net, 2005). If the infant does not have his basic nee
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