Erikson's Psychosocial Stages

The given chapters labeled the “Beginning” focuses on the physical, cognitive and psychosocial development during a baby’s first three years of life. The three developmental theories that are consistently mentioned throughout the textbook are Freud’s psychosexual stages, Erikson’s psychosocial stages, and Piaget’s approach to cognitive understanding.
Freud believed a child must go through five stages in which one must gratify a particular innate pleasure assigned to that stage. However, if the child exceeds or fails to gratify the specific need, one may become fixated on that stage throughout their lifespan (Papalia & Martorell, 2014, p. 25). The oral stage occurs first when the baby is born and lasts until they are about 12-18 months old.

Erikson argued that throughout one’s life there are challenges that people face that could affect their personality. If one does not successfully complete this stage, their personality may be at risk according to the demand of that particular stage. In regards to his first stage, basic trust versus mistrust, children between birth and 12-18 months have the opportunity to gain a sense of security (Papalia & Martorell, 2014, p. 171). The second stage of this approach is autonomy versus shame and doubt. Infants between the ages of 12-18 months old and three years have the chance to become more willing to do things themselves. If the child succeeds this challenge, it will develop a sense of independence, if not the infant will develop doubt (Papalia & Martorell, 2014, p.

For instance, Erikson believes that during this stage, babies will rely on a caregiver or objects to gain a sense of how the world works. Likewise, Piaget’s approach highlights how infants start manipulating objects and gain awareness of what is around them (Papalia & Martorell, 2014, p. 27). The difference, in this case, is that Piaget targets more on the physical motor development along with the cognitive processes while Erikson’s theory focuses more on the relationship between child and caregiver. However, this current point establishes the importance of all the different components that are essential concerning human