Cooley, Mead, Freud,
Erikson and Levinson
Behind the Theories on
Development
Charles Cooley (1864-1929)
Cooley
He said that the self develops
through process of social
interaction
Cooley
 Influenced by family primarily, then later peergroups.
Cooley
 Used the analogy of a Looking-Glass
(mirror) to describe the 3 stage process of
self
Cooley
1. We imagine how our actions appear to
others
2. We imagine how others judge our
actions
3. We make some sort of self-judgment
based on 1& 2
George Herbert
Mead (1863-1931)
Mead
He traced people’s
awareness of self to
primary caregiver
Mead
 He said the self is
composed of 2 parts“I” and “Me”
Mead
I like
Mead!
Very
Much!!!
The “I” portion wishes to have self
expression, to be active and spontaneous
Mead
• The “Me” portion is made up of
the things learned through the
socialization process. The
“Me” makes normal social
interaction possible
Mead
 He said the self develops in 3 stages
Mead
• Preparatory stage-child imitates others
Mead
• Play stage-child has acquired
language and not only
imitates, but form role
expectations: playing house,
cops and robbers.
Mead
o Game stage-child learns
there are rules that specify
the correct and proper
relationship among the
players.
o We learn the expectations of
various positions which we
interact as well as the
expectations of the general
audience
Sigmund Freud (1856-1939)
Freud
• He said the self has 3
separately functioning parts,
in which the individual is
constantly at struggle.
Freud
 Id-the drives and instincts that
every human inherits, mostly
remain unconscious
Freud
•Superego-society’s
norms and expectations,
primarily learned from
parents
Freud
• Ego-mediates the eternal conflict
of the id and superego, also finds
socially acceptable ways to
express id’s drives.
Erik Erikson (1902-1994)
Erikson

Human development
is accomplished in 8
stages
Erikson
1. Trust vs. Mistrust (up to 1 year)
2. Autonomy vs Shame and Doubt (1-4)
3. Initiative vs. guilt (4-5)
4. Industry vs. Inferiority (6-12)
5. Identity vs. role confusion (adolescence)
6. Intimacy vs. isolation (young adulthood)
7. Generativity vs. Stagnation (30’s to 50’s)
8. Integrity vs. Despair (old age)
No
Pictures!!!!
Daniel Levinson (1920-1994)
Levinson
• He focused on adult development-said
there were 6 stages
Levinson
 Early adult period 18-22
 Leave adolescence, make preliminary
choices for life
 Leave the family of origin
Levinson
 Getting into adult world
 22-28 “form a dream”
 Make initial choices in love,
occupation, friendship,
love and values
Levinson
However, I
have no
flaws!
• Age 30 transitional periodseeks to correct flaws
• Changes in life occur
• Settling down-has
reworked flaws and seeks
order and stability
Levinson
Levinson
 Age 40 transitional
period-mid-life crisis
Levinson
• Beginning of middle adulthood-mid 40’s
• Reflect on life’s accomplishments
Pavlovian Theory
That’s All Folks!!