Theories of Personality Erikson

Outline Overview of Post-Freudian Theory Biography of Erickson The Ego in Post-Freudian Theory Stages of Psychosocial Development Erickson’s Method of Investigation Related Research Critique of Erickson Concept of Humanity

Overview of Post-Freudian Theory Intended to Extend Freud’s Assumptions Including extending infantile development Life-cycle approach to personality Emphasis on social and historical influences Stages of development are characterized by a psychosocial struggle For example, identity crisis

Biography of Erickson Born in Frankfurt, Germany in 1902 Son of Jewish mother and unknown father As a child, does not feel accepted by either Jewish or Gentile community Leaves home at 18 to live as itinerant artist, wandering Europe for 7 years

Biography (cont’d) In Vienna, is introduced to psychoanalysis by Anna Freud, who becomes his analyst Graduates from Vienna Psychoanalytic Institute Lacking an academic degree, accepts research position at Harvard Medical School in 1933 Publishes Childhood and Society in 1950 Also taught at Yale, Berkeley, and several other institutions Professor of Human Development at Harvard in 1960 Died in Cape Cod in 1994

The Ego in Post-Freudian Theory Description of Ego Psychology Three Interrelated Aspects of the Ego: Body ego Ego ideal Ego Identity Society’s Influence Ego emerges from and is largely shaped by culture Epigenetic Principle The ego grows as our organs do; developing sequentially, with certain changes arising at a particular time and with more recent developments built upon previous structures

Stages of Psychosocial Development Basic Points of Stage Approach Growth follows epigenetic principle Every stage has an interaction of opposites Conflict produces ego strength Too little strength at one stage results in core psychopathology at a later stage Stages are also biological in nature Earlier stages do not cause later personality development From adolescence on, personality development involves identity crisis

Stages of Psychosocial Development (cont’d) Infancy Oral-Sensory Mode Modes of Incorporation Receiving and Accepting Basic Trust versus Basic Mistrust Hope: The Basic Strength of Infancy Early Childhood Anal-Urethral-Muscular Mode Autonomy versus Shame and Doubt Will: The Basic Strength of Childhood

Stages of Psychosocial Development (cont’d) Play Age Genital-Locomotor Mode Initiative versus Guilt Purpose: The Basic Strength of the Play Age School Age Latency Industry versus Inferiority Competence: The Basic Strength of the School Age

Stages of Psychosocial Development (cont’d) Adolescence Puberty Identity versus Identity Confusion Fidelity: The Basic Strength of Adolescence Young Adulthood Genitality Intimacy versus Isolation Love: The Basic Strength of Young Adulthood

Stages of Psychosocial Development (cont’d) Adulthood Procreativity Generativity versus Stagnation Care: The Basic Strength of Adulthood Old Age Generalized Sensuality Integrity versus Despair Wisdom: The Basic Strength of Old Age

Erickson’s Method of Investigation Anthropological Studies To show that early childhood training was consistent with this strong cultural value Sioux Nation of South Dakota Yurok Nation of northern California Psychohistory Combination of the methods of psychoanalysis and historical research to study personality Including Martin Luther and Gandhi

Related Research Generativity and Parenting Bauer and McAdams (2004) Peterson (2009) Having a sense of generativity is important to effective parenting Generativity vs. Stagnation van Hiel et al. (2009) Generativity and stagnation can and sometimes do operate separately and independently in adult development

Critique of Erickson Erickson’s Theory Is: High on Generating Research, and Internal Consistency Moderate on Organizing Knowledge, Falsifiability, Guiding Action, and Parsimony

Concept of Humanity Determinism over Free Choice Optimism over Pessimism Causality over Teleology Unconscious and Conscious Is Influenced by Stage with Unconscious Dominating Early Life and Conscious Later Culture over Biology Uniqueness over Similarity