Erik Erikson - Psycho-Social Theory
Erik Erikson can be considered one of the most important personalities in the field of psychology not only for the contribution he brought to this field of analysis but also for the different questions he posed and remained unanswered. His studies focused in particular on the development of the individual and on the way in which the personality of the human being can be shaped by different outside factors. He is often compared to personalities such as Sigmund Freud as both of them approach the issue of the development of the individual from a perspective which included different stages. However, their approach is different and Erikson is the promoter of a particular aspect of development which considers these stages as ones which the individual must overcome in order to properly develop as a person and as a member of the society. One of the most important contributions of Erikson resides in the fact that unlike many of the theorists who addressed the issue of child development and the development theory, Erikson took into consideration also the cultural and social aspects of the outside environment which can determine the way in which an individual becomes an adult. More precisely, "although he was influenced by Freud, he beli
The second stage of development is the muscular-anal stage up to the age of three (Klonowski, 2002) in which the child comes to make contact with the world but at the same time he is able to be in control of his physiological processes. It is one of the first steps toward growing up. More precisely, he will be determined "to have and nurture children and/or become involved with future generations" (Cramer, 1997). The sixth stage is the young adulthood stage where the most important role is played by the sentimental connections and love for the opposite sex. The third stage includes the locomotor period when the child learns to walk and develop a sense of independence from the caregiver. However, one of the most important aspects of this theory is precisely the idea that the development of an individual is a continuous process in which every stage is vital and only a successful transition from one stage to another can ensure the proper development of the human being. Despite the fact that the family environment is still important for the child it is no longer essential because he enters in contact with the society. At this point in time intimacy is developed and the young adult must be able to connect at an intimate level with others. It is the period in which doubts and uncertainties reach their climax and in which young people are the most vulnerable. Overall, it can be said that Erikson's theory related to human development represents one of the most interesting contributions both to the study of psychology as well to that of sociology. Based in part on his study of Sioux Indians on a reservation, Erikson became aware of the massive influence of culture on behavior and placed more emphasis on the external world, such as depression and wars. An important aspect related to the stages of development expressed by Erikson is that every stage must result in a positive outcome. More precisely, "adolescents are in search of an identity that will lead them to adulthood.
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