According to Erikson’s theory, a healthy person should go through eight stages from birth until death. The steps develop naturally due to each person’s culture and environment (Kurt, 2021). Curiosity arises as humans encounter a variety of needs at each phase (Kurt, 2021). Essentially, this leads to a lot of self-reflection on the part of the individual. People who cannot adapt to new situations are more likely to face difficulties in the future.
Identity versus role confusion, Erikson’s fifth stage, discusses adolescence. During this stage, one learns they have different social roles in society and must identify where they fit (Kurt, 2021). At this phase, many people have identity crises and need their parents or guardians to let them explore various things. Many teens often feel inferior and lose motivation if this does not happen. Role confusion can occur later in life, affecting many aspects of life, like a career choice. However, having peers and role models around can help them build a sense of societal fidelity and thus help improve the community.
James Marcia proposed a method for evaluating identity formation. Marcia felt, like Erikson, that some situations and experiences act as catalysts for development. Essentially, to grasp Marcia’s theory, one must recall Erikson’s fifth stage of development, identity vs. role confusion. As a result of expanding on Erikson’s theory, Marcia concluded that a balance between identity and uncertainty evolves around committing to a particular specification (Cherry, 2022). Generally, identity is a person’s view of their values, beliefs, occupational roles, past and present experiences, strengths and weaknesses.
The two theorists also had conflicting views about psychological development. Marcia recognizes that there are many ways to find identity, not just one or being role confused, as Erikson suggested. As a result, Marcia discovered four distinct identity states corresponding to the different conceivable dedication and exploration dimensions (Paris et al., 2022). Marcia emphasized the need to examine and commit to one’s identity and discussed how to tell if a person has discovered meaningful options.
I have passed through the first four stages of Erickson’s theory. First, trust vs. mistrust; infants develop trust when shown affection by their parents. In most cases, disregarding the infant’s needs leads to distrust (Kurt, 2021). Second, early childhood autonomy versus doubt or shame. A child’s “can do” attitude is essential at this age, and parents should nurture it (Kurt, 2021). For example, if one laughs when a child says something extraordinary, they may hurt their self-esteem, which causes shame and doubt. The third stage is initiative vs. guilt, where preschoolers take the initiative to do activities and may feel guilty if they fail. Essentially, this stage has helped me explore and develop new skills in life. The fourth stage is the industry vs. inferiority that occurs in preteens. The term “industry” refers to where children learn to socialize with peers, set goals, and accomplish their plans (Kurt, 2021). In contrast, inferiority occurs when a child thinks they are being bullied and is prevented from being rude or arrogant towards others.
When I started college, I felt overwhelmed because I had to choose a major and career. Erikson calls this stage identity vs. role confusion in development. After much research and classes, I decided on a major based on my own experiences. Since I explored and worked on my identity, I know my strengths and what I want to be. According to Erikson, competence motivates behavior and actions when discovering oneself. I have gained self-worth and life competence by developing my skills. Therefore, Erikson’s theory of psychosocial development fits all the stages I have experienced before and now.
References
Cherry, K. (2022). Could you be experiencing an identity crisis? Verywell Mind. Web.
Kurt, S. (2021). Erikson’s stages of psychosocial development. Educational Technology. Web.
Paris, J., Ricardo, A., & Rymond, D. (2022). Child growth and development. College of the Canyons. Web.