Introduction
In this text, I discuss Erikson’s reasoning for moving beyond Freud’s originology so as to formulate an epigenetic approach in which each new stage of development incorporates, in an enriched as well as expanded forums, all the previous stages. I will also come up with the strengths as well as limitations of this approach of the social self in a cultural context as I outline the relevance of the topic to me and to the field.
A discussion
According to Cote et al. (2002), Sigmund Freud has a distinction as far as controversy is concerned and the contributions in this regard have been largely debatable as far as psychology is concerned. The ideas as well as theories on personality and individual development advanced by Freud largely lean on the sexual aspect. Freud advances that the development of personality extends from age % where one of the most fundamental features is sexual desire. However authors and scholars have over time argued that the psychosexual development theory as presented by Freud is limited when one considers an overview of the stages of development of every individual. In this, scholars including Erikson see Freud’s submission as just a bit of overall human development package. It is however important to note that Freud’s development theory’s key concepts are still acceptable. These key concepts include but are not limited to superego, ego as well as id. What is rejected by others including Erikson is the opinion that the basis of sexuality largely influences personality.
Erikson’s psychosocial development theory is widely seen as an extension on the development theory as presented by Sigmund Freud. According to Hoare (2002) the concept of originality as presented by Freud was also one of the many things which were disputed by Erikson. The concept of originology is founded on the premise that virtually every mental illness is informed by early childhood experiences. When we consider childhood as well as development, Erikson’s view is o the belief that personality development is a function of the early days of a human. A detailed look into this premise brings out a sharp contrast or deviation from Freud’s assumption that the development of personality is largely beyond age five. This does not help matters any more especially when Freud admits to his scanty understanding of female sexuality (Hoare 2002). Cote et al. (2002) notes that it is warranted for Erikson to move beyond Freud’s originology as the psychosexual development theory as advanced by Freud is too limited as its chief focus seems to be human sexuality which contrasts to other development theories like psychosocial development theory by Erikson. However, to give credit where credit is due, Freud’s theory gives an important glimpse as far as the understanding as well as appreciation of the subject of sex and sexual development is concerned.
As an improvement upon the psychosexual stages by Sigmund Freud, Erikson goes ahead to formulate several developmental stages in which he foresees every healthy human being passing. These stages address the psychosocial development from infancy to adulthood (late) and in every stage an individual passes, unique challenges are confronted as well as mastered. In this approach, each stage is largely informed by the successful completion of the previous stage and with that in mind, it is expected that challenges not mastered in any stage are bound to reappear in later stages.It is however important to note that though Erikson rejected a number of Freud’s advancements on substantial grounds, he still accepts a number of Freud’s advancements most notably the superego, ego and id. According to Freud, there are several divisions of the psyches which include the superego, the ego and the id. It was in 1923 according to Cote et al. (2002) that Freud came up with the new terms which were meant to offer a detailed description as regards the division between the unconscious and the conscious.
Over time, these terms have come to be appreciated as the compelling descriptions of the unconscious and the conscious dynamic relations. For those things whose repression can be attributed o consciousness, we have the id while for external reality, we have the ego. The super-ego is the conscience and can be further be described as the cultural regulations as well as father figure’s symbolic internalization. Berecz (2009) notes that apart from criticizing Feuds insistence on seeing personality solely in the eyes of sexuality, Erikson was not also fond of Feud’s originolity. It is however important to note that contrary to popular belief, Erikson did not trash feud’s originolity in its entirety. He appreciated the preposition that an individual’s early child hood is important but added that an individual’s development was also anchored on the social context. Unlike Feud, he was of the opinion that beyond the five years of age, an individual’s development continued onwards. His most influential piece to date, childhood and society, had the human life cycle subdivided into psychological processes which essentially numbered eight. Cote et al. (2002) however notes that Erikson came up wit only seven theories and the eighth theory was an addition made by his wife on his demise.
Strengths and limitations of this approach of the social self in a cultural context
Hoare (2002) notes that Erikson’s contribution was timely as it highlighted the reasons why people who had experienced difficulties in the early stages or phases experienced greater difficulties when it came to handing adulthood crises. This theory has also been hailed for its practicability. It has been noted that the various answers advanced in this theory can be applied in a very practical sense. Most importantly, this approach of the social self in a cultural context enabled therapists as well as their clients to come up or pinpoint the main issues that needed a sharp focus or urgent addressing.
Further, Cote et al. (2002) notes that this approach of the social self in a cultural context was also critical as far as the assessment of child rearing as well as assessment practices were concerned and heir fitness to enhance a healthy cognitive and emotional development.However, according to Berecz (2009), Erikson’s theory cannot be taken to task as to whether the stages he talks about are purely sequential as well as registering occurrence within the age bracket Erikson talks of. For instance, the question that comes up when considering Erikson’s theory is whether an individual seeks his identity during the period of adolescence or at a later period in a lifetime, or both.
Conclusion
While the usefulness of Erikson’s theory cannot be overestimated especially as far as therapist’s ability to come up with key issues that need to be looked into is concerned, several questions as to its substance still remain unanswered. For instance, it is virtually impossible for the other stages to take place before the initial stages can take place or must an individual really achieve intimacy or identity only after achieving industry.
References
Berecz, J.M. (2009). Theories of personality: A zonal perspective. Boston: Allyn & Bacon.
Cote, J. E., & Levine, C. G. (2002). Identity formation, agency, and culture: A social psychological synthesis. Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates Publishers.
Hoare, C. H. (2002). Erikson on development in adulthood: New insights from the unpublished papers. New York, NY: OxfordUniversity Press.
