Introduction
In order to prepare teenagers for their professional life, it is necessary to implement Erik Erikson’s theory of psychosocial development into their educational system. This can be useful in providing teenagers with the most comfortable conditions in their future work. Knowing the stages of development of an individual is of critical importance in order to understand how the human psyche works and is formed.
Therefore, the theory under consideration can provide the necessary data to optimize future cooperation between the employer and the employee. Consideration of Erik Erikson’s eight-part system can provide all necessary support in developing a theoretical framework for this kind of collaboration.
Erik Erikson’s Psychosocial Theory
The psychosocial theory of Erik Erikson has become an innovative method for studying the stages of development of the Self of the individual. This theory focuses on eight major stages in the progression of the human psyche. According to Erikson’s theory, the relationship between the systems of costs and balances that were established in relation to the personality of the child before adolescence leads to the adolescent stage of the formation of the individual (Gross, 2020).
In this regard, the formation of the stages of development of the child is influenced by certain events, both traumatic and formative, that occurred in the past of a person. Depending on these incidents, a teenager may develop adequately or acquire some behavioral deviations that will become a problem in adult professional life.
In the fifth stage, the formation of a teenage personality takes place, which is essential in the context of considering the individual as a full-fledged person. At the same time, at this stage, the acceptance of roles or their confusion is of great importance, as a result of which perception and control over some regions of a teenager’s life may be disturbed. It is also detrimental to forming a healthy personality, as it makes teenagers doubt their future purpose and sense of purpose in the workplace. Erikson’s psychosocial theory applies to working with adolescents, as it helps individuals connect more effectively with them (Broderick & Blewitt, 2020).
Erikson’s theory of personality development is consistent with the problems that adolescents may experience in socialization (Sokol, 2009). Thus, considering the stages of personality development, including the fifth stage, can help ensure the best teamwork. In potential work, the chosen theory can be applied, for example, to the creation of mentoring and career counseling. This could help teenagers better understand the company’s goals and the norms that must be adhered to.
Background Factors
Adolescents and the formation of their personality can be influenced by various external factors that either hinder or contribute to the development of the individual. One such aspect is culture, which influences how a teenager develops in specific environments and how others react to them. This also manifests itself in feedback, specifically in how a teenager responds to certain events around them (Douvan, 1997).
Thus, a person can change and acquire or discard certain features in response to specific external cultural factors. Cultural norms and expectations can also influence the direction of an individual’s development. This is predominantly dependent on several variables, including the adolescent’s race and gender. The effect of cultural values can be powerful in more conservative societies. In addition to cultural factors, an important aspect of influence is genetic predispositions, which, to some extent, may indicate the formation of susceptibility or resistance to certain mental illnesses.
Paying attention to all the background aspects that have an impact on the formation of personality is essential for a comprehensive understanding of the processes that occur in the adolescent mind (Marcia, 1980). Recognition and work with cultural and genetic factors are the advantages of Erikson’s psychosocial theory, as they allow for addressing all possible changes in the psyche of a teenager.
Strengths and Weaknesses of a Theoretical Framework
Erikson’s theory has several strengths that highlight the model in a positive light. These include the fact that the theorist recognizes a holistic approach and understands that a person’s personality is formed through the interaction of psychological, cultural, and social aspects. This highlights the importance of a broader context for the development of individuals, particularly adolescents, whose psyche is subject to a holistic influence without the predominance of any one aspect (Montgomery, 2005). In this regard, this theory allows us to fully consider all the variables and factors of influence, which can give a more comprehensive understanding of their interaction.
Another strength is the focus on the continuous development of a person’s personality throughout life. Given this factor, specialists can more accurately analyze and understand what specific aspects can affect later stages. The events that occur with the individual are interconnected and follow a standard structure; having considered this, it is possible to determine what led to the formation of certain character traits (Gross, 2020). This strength is to consider the adolescent stage of life in context with all other periods of human development. This, in turn, is crucial for a more accurate understanding of how various events in a person’s life can be interconnected and impact the future.
Another significant advantage is the theorist’s focus on the process of identity formation. The fifth stage of personality formation is responsible for adolescence and how a person develops self-awareness of himself. The exploration of personal identity conflicts and the resolution of challenging situations have clear implications for later life and how people develop a more direct line of self-identification in the future (Broderick & Blewitt, 2020). In this way, the promotion of psychological well-being can be designed to be more efficient and targeted.
However, despite the theory’s numerous positive aspects, it has some limitations. One of them is a simplified stage model that puts too clear boundaries between ages and makes them invincible. Thus, during adolescence, identity development may overlook certain features, thereby placing all children in the same position (Douvan, 1997). This can have a negative impact when using this theory in practice and assessing the development of the child. The influence of many factors turns out to be on the formation of identity, which should be taken into account when drawing up the time frame for the stages of development.
Conclusion
Erikson’s theory suggests that a person progresses through distinct stages of personality development, which are influenced by their actions and their consequences. This has a significant impact on the qualities of character or universal principles that are formed in the individual. Erik Erikson’s psychosocial theory is the most appropriate for working with teenagers and adapting them to future work environments. This is ensured by the fact that the stages of development described by scientists can significantly improve adolescents’ understanding, and as a result, make working with them more effective. In this way, employers could improve communication and cooperation by reaching a mutual understanding.
References
Broderick, P., & Blewitt, P. (2020). The life span: human development for helping professionals (5th ed). Pearson.
Douvan, E. (1997). Erik Erikson: Critical times, critical theory. Child Psychiatry and Human Development, 28, 15-21.
Gross, Y. (2020). Erikson’s stages of psychosocial development. In The Wiley Encyclopedia of Personality and Individual Differences: Models and Theories, 179-184.
Marcia, J. E. (1980). Identity in adolescence. In Handbook of adolescent psychology, 9(11), 109-137.
Montgomery, M. J. (2005). Psychosocial intimacy and identity: From early adolescence to emerging adulthood. Journal of Adolescent Research, 20(3), 346-374.
Sokol, J. T. (2009). Identity development throughout the lifetime: An examination of Eriksonian theory. Graduate Journal of Counseling Psychology, 1(2), 14.