Laura Trevino
EDCI 6304.60
Assignment 5: Erikson’s psychosocial theory of human development
#1. Erikson’s early life most likely had profound influence upon his model for human
development. What are some significant occurrences in his life up to and including the first few
years when he immigrated to the United States?
Erik Erikson was born in Frankfurt, Germany on June 15, 1902. His childhood had an influence
on his model of human development. Erikson was born to a Danish mother who was as Jewish
and to a biological father who was presumed to be married and whose name might have been
Erik. His mother, Karla Abrahamsen, was married at the time of his birth to a Jewish
stockbroker by the name of Waldemar Isidor Salomonsen. Erik was registered as Erik
Salomonsen. In 1905, Karla married Theodore Homburger and in 1911 Erik was officially
adopted and his name was registered as Erik Homburger. The development of identity was his
greatest concern both in his life and in his theory. He endured teasing due to his Nordic features
and for being Jewish. His parents kept his details of his birth a secret. Erickson became
acquainted with Anna Freud while teaching a private school in Vienna. He underwent
psychoanalysis and decided to become an analyst as well. He trained in psychoanalysis and
child development. In 1933 Erikson immigrated with his wife first to Denmark then to United
States becoming the first psychoanalyst in Boston. Erikson established a solid reputation and in
1936 accepted a position in Harvard University teaching at medical school.
#2. Erikson was described as an “ego psychologist.” What does that expression mean and
how is it a break from his training as a Freudian psychologist?
Ego psychologist is stressed as the role of the ego as being more than a servant of the identity.
Erikson believed that the environment in which a child lived was crucial to providing growth
adjustment, a source of self awareness, and identity. Freud believed that development was
complete by the time of adolescent was reached; on the contrary, Erickson believed that
development continued throughout adult life and late life.
#3. What are the eight stages of Erikson’s model of development? (Do not describe these
stages at this point. You will elaborate on the attributes of these stages in this assignment and in
#6.) How does this model follow his concept of a “series of crises”?
Erikson’s eight stages of development:
1. Hope: Trust vs Mistrust
2. Will: Autonomy vs Shame and Doubt
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Purpose: Initiative vs Guilt
Competence: Industry vs. Inferiority
Fidelity: Identity vs Role Confusion
Love: Intimacy vs Isolation
Care: Generativity vs Stagnation
Wisdom: Ego Integrity vs Despair
This model follows the concept of “series crises” in a sense that at the end of each stage you will
help developed a corresponding virtue that will help establish the next stage of development.
#4. In Erikson’s model, how does one progress from one stage to the next? Are these stages
hierarchical or independent of one another? If one “fails” at a level, but does somehow manage
to move onto later levels of development, does Erikson’s model allow for that person to
successfully revisit or try again to address the issues of that previously unsuccessful earlier stage
of development?
In Erikson’s model a person progresses in a hierarchical way from birth through advanced age.
The eight stages encompass a range in age that allows for the person to move to the next stage.
If the earlier stage was not mastered, then it can appear as a problem in the future.
#5. In Erikson’s model, we come across the concepts of “sense of connectedness” and “sense
of independence.” What are these concepts and how do they work in developing the “coherent
self”?
The concept of “sense of connectedness” begins to develop in the first stage of Erikson’s model.
A child is learning trust or mistrust. It continues to develop or resurface thru out life span. The
“sense of independence”, begins to develop on the initiative versus guilt stage. The child is
prepares for achievements and goals and begins to make decisions that set the foundation for a
coherent self.
#6. In the first stage -- trust versus mistrust – why is success at this stage critical to the child’s
successful cognitive development?
Success is critical during the stage of trust versus mistrust because this is the first glimpse of
what life can be. Children are helpless individuals that rely on surroundings to start shaping and
forming a life that will allow them to explore, self reflect, and problem solve to develop
understanding of a world yet unknown to them. This is the stage where they learn to trust that
the world is just as good as what they are experiencing, or just as bad. A strong base of security
is established and nurtured.
#7. In the next stage of the model -- autonomy versus shame and doubt – why is success at this
stage critical to the child’s learning abilities in early childhood?
Autonomy versus shame and doubt is critical due to the fact that children begin to develop the
sense of self sufficient. They begin to explore ideas with the support and a sense of security
nurtured by parents. Children begin to develop their interests during this stage. It is important
for caregivers to encourage self sufficient so that children can develop a sense of autonomy.
Caregivers must be careful not to demand too much to soon.
#8. Let’s revisit the design and development of our generic instructional system. Based upon
your understanding of Erikson’s model at this point, if you are planning and developing
instructional experiences (including the environment) for early childhood centers, are there any
aspects of Erikson’s model you would want to take into consideration? Why or why not?
In early childhood centers the first three stages are imperative in planning and developing
instruction. It is our duty as educators to provide students with opportunities that will ensure
success in their personal and educational learning development.
Bonus question
How well does your observation of a child’s development match up with Erikson’s model?
Specifically, do you see Erikson’s model as being a series of discrete steps and is that how you
view children’s development?
In analyzing a family member’s current reaction to his life and parents upbringing, I can honestly
say that if we had known about Erikson’s model, his attitude towards life today would be
different. Unfortunately, parents do not receive a do’s and don’ts to raise a child. I will agree
that some type of literature should be provided to parents before conceiving a child. As an
educator, I believe we serve children to shape our society. Discrete or not, Erikson’s model is a
basis of one way raising and educating children can be viewed.
Resource
Wikipedia the Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved from: www.wikipedia.org/wiki/