Select 10 developmental stages from both of the theories discussed
in class: Freud’s Theory of Psychosexual Development (5 stages) and Erikson’s Theory of Psychosocial Development (8 stages). The student must define each stage in their own words and discuss the students’ own development during these stages. If any of the students do not wish to use themselves as examples, they may write about a fictitious character.
Example for one of the stages: Erikson’s first stage,
Theory:
Erickson’s first stage of psychosocial development is known as Trust vs. Mistrust. It takes place from birth to the first year of life of an individual. During this stage the infant has to overcome the crisis of becoming a trusting or a mistrusting individual. Successful resolution of each crisis gives the child a sense of identity and a sense of self. During this stage if the caregiver cares for the infant by providing: food, love, affection, attention and protection the infant will learn to be trusting of other people and different situations.
If the infant feels neglected by the caregiver, is not fed when hungry and feels
unattended when crying, the infant will not trust other people when he or she is an adult.
Example:
As an adult I am very trusting of other people, sometimes too trusting. My mother
explained to me that when I was about six months old I had a stomach virus that made me unable to digest food and I lost my appetite. She also described how she had to take me to different doctors and how she had to soothe me all the time as a baby.
According to Erikson’s theory my mother took very good care of me as an infant which made me a very trusting adult. I trust other people and overall, I have confidence that life’s situations will turn out in a favorable way