Analyzing Erikson's Eight Stages Of Child Development

VandenBos (2007), defines developmental psychology as the branch of psychology concerned with interaction between physical/psychological processes, and with stages of growth from conception throughout the entire life span. It includes research into the development of cognition, perception, moral attitudes and social relationships. Theories regarding developmental psychology are particularly important as they inspire assumptions about human behaviour and experience, as well as guiding predictions of future behaviour. John Bowlby (1969) and Erik Erikson (1950), have been significant theorists within the field of developmental psychology, and their theories are still used as a benchmark for psychologists today. This essay will aim to compare

The eight stages of man presents a different conflict for distinct times throughout the lifespan, each with two possible outcomes. It was proposed by Erikson that successful completion of each stage results in a healthy personality and positive interactions with others. Shaffer (2009) argues that Erikson’s theory is foremost a descriptive overview of human development that does not sufficiently explain how or why development takes place. This is supported by Shultz and Shultz (2005), that claim criticisms of Erikson’s theory focus on equivocal terminology, inadequate descriptions of the psychosocial stages, and unsupported claims of female-male personality differences based on biological factors. Erikson’s assessment methods were play therapy, anthropological studies, and psycho-historical analysis. His research mostly relied on case studies. Not only is this time consuming, it is expensive and cannot provide reliable information about the broader class (Abercrombie et al, 1984, cited by Flyvbjerg, 2007). Bowlby on the other hand was influenced by Harlow, and worked alongside Mary Ainsworth in developing his attachment theory. Attachment was first investigated systematically by using ‘controlled observation’ in the strange situation test (Ainsworth, Blehar, Waters and Wall, 1978). The strange situation test divided attachment up into three categories: secure, avoidant and resistant. A

Opportunities to study attachment related working models as frameworks of identity formation are offered through the parallels uncovered between both theories. Granting they are grounded in fundamentally different assumptions, each theory offers concepts that can enrich the application of the other (Pittman, Keiley, Kerpelman and Vaughn, 2011). Bowlby’s attachment theory has encouraged vast further research in to areas regarding day care, adopted children and the quality of parent-child relationships in relation to crime. Ganem and Agnew, (2007) used data from the National Youth Survey in order to assess the hypothesis that a low quality parent-child relationship is associated with more extensive criminal behaviour amongst offenders. Although this was proven in the data, it was reported that amongst parents, antisocial peers and prior criminal involvement influence the likelihood of committing crime. Erikson’s psychosocial theory has also been applied to a wider social setting. Creamer, (2000) stated that the theory provided a foundation for effective academic advising, and the stages most relevant to traditional students in higher education are those related to identity versus identity confusion and intimacy versus isolation. Similarly, counsellors have recognised Erikson's ideas for their possible theoretical