Some of our personality traits are inborn while most are learned depending on the negative or positive reinforcement that we get from adults. Erik Erikson did a great job in exploring this concept. Through the influence of Freud, Erikson believes that behavior is not totally defensive and that the ego exists from birth. According to him, behavior is largely influenced by culture and especially the external world. He believed that the interaction of the body, mind and culture influences our development. He therefore structured life into eight stages extending from birth to death.
According to Erickson the first stage starts at birth and ends at 18 months. This stage is known as infancy. For a child to undergo this phase effectively the mother should give it love, care and support. If a child is successful in going through this period, it learns to have trust in life, feels secure and develops confidence in future. A good example of such a child is one who shows confidence in everything it does. In fact research has shown that most optimistic people in life developed a crucial trust of the world during their very early years. It is no wonder that, a child develops stronger ties with its mother during this period.
The second phase is referred to as Early Childhood. It proceeds from 18 months to 3 years. A child that receives proper nurturing at the first stage will probably emerge successful at this point. However, it requires a strong parental bond, encouragement and support. These elements are necessary for a child to learn how to feed, talk, and walk as well as help the child develop a sense of self-esteem and autonomy. Once they are able to manage their bodies, children start to discriminate right from wrong. The ability to use the word ‘no’ is gained at this stage. This is important because it helps the child to develop essential skills of the will. (Arlene, 2002).
The third stage is the play age which begins from 3 to 5 years. It is here that the effectively developing child learns to copy the adults around them. The child gains initiative in coming up with play situations and should therefore be provided with toys such as cell phones, dolls and baby cars. At this stage, children are fond of asking several questions in an attempt to explore and understand their world. Thus, parents and other parties concerned should support them by giving them appropriate answers to enable them discover their environment. A child that is well supported in this phase will be social, active and enthusiastic in learning new things (Arlene, 2002).
The latency stage/school age is the forth level. It takes place between the age of 6 and 12 years. Accomplishments of numerous skills of knowledge such as learning and creativity are achieved at this level. As a result of victorious resolution of predicaments in earlier levels, children put lots of effort in order to compete with their fellows at school. Consequently, the child develops a sense of industry. Being a social stage of development, children experience adequate feelings of dominance and develop a high level of self–esteem and pride amongst their peers when they flourish in their academic work. Although parents are still crucial at this level, the major relationship is with the neighborhood and school (Arlene, 2002).
Adolescence is the fifth stage. It occurs between the age of 12 and 18 years. According to Erikson, prior to this stage, development largely depends on what is done to and is predetermined by what we do afterwards. At this level, peer influence is dominant as many teenagers tend to behave like their peers. They form social groups which they identify with and become royal and devoted to them. In an attempt to find one’s own identity, an individual deals with moral issues when he/she comes to grip with social interactions through experimenting on various roles. In an effort to emulate a certain lifestyle, the majority opt to view life in an idealistic manner rather than being realistic. Once an individual successfully navigates through this stage, he/she will experience role identity and orderliness (Arlene, 2002).
Young Adulthood is the sixth phase between 18 to 35 years. Love and companionship are vital at this level. It is here that the successful individual endeavors to have a mutually satisfying relationship through friends and marriage. Attachment to friends and marital partners develops affiliation and love in the individual. If this stage is settled successfully, one experiences indisputable intimacy. It is not surprising therefore that the crucial relationship at this stage is with buddies and marital partners (Stages of Social-Emotional Development In Children and Teenagers, n.d).
At stage seven we have middle adulthood which is between 35 and65 Years. Here, an Individuals work becomes very crucial.They are mostly occupied with creative work and family issues. The middle aged adult has the opportunity of becoming what they have envied in life. The most important duty is to transmit positive cultural values though the family, and establishing a better society. During this stage, idleness and purposelessness are feared most. In case one succeeds in going through this stage, he/ she becomes prolific and compassionate about others. Major relationships are found within the family, place of work and community (Arlene, 2002).
Late Adulthood is the last stage according to Erikson’s theory. It is between age 55 or 65 and Death. Individuals who have fruitfully passed through all the other levels are most likely to feel contented with life since they have made a contribution to it. This is because they are able to trust, are autonomous, innovative, confident and industrious, knows who they are and have developed self- image in life. Such people become proud of their work and children. Their strength is gained from the wisdom achieved from the experience gained through the years. Most often, they accept the finishing point of life as death. Their most important relationship at this point is with all mankind (Arlene, 2002).
In conclusion, it is evident that our character is largely influenced by how well we are nurtured by our environment as elaborated by Erik Erikson in his ‘Eight Stages of Human Development’. Accomplishment in the crisis resolution in each of the levels pre determines success in the next level. Parental as well as teacher guidance is an important ingredient in nurturing the character of an individual from the time of birth to death.
References
- Arlene F. Harder, MA, MFT, 2002, The Developmental Stages of Erik Erikson.
- Stages of Social-Emotional Development In Children and Teenagers, n.d. Web.