Erik Erikson

Question 1

Erikson’s Extension of Freud

Answer 1

• Elaborated stages of dev., personality not shaped by 5, continues to develop in 8 stages
• greater emphasis of ego than ID, ego is independent part not subservient to id
• impact of historical and cultural forces, bio is important but not all

Question 2

Life of Erikson

Answer 2

• Grew up unsure of of identity (raised by step father)
• Rejected by peers
• Quest for identity after high school

Question 3

Epigenetic Principle of Maturation

Answer 3

Inherited forces determine characteristics of dev. stages

Social & environmental forces influence how genetically predetermine stages of dev. are realized

Biological and social factors are important

Question 4

Crisis

Answer 4

Crisis: turning point at each developmental stage

- innate predispositions confront environmental demands = behavioural and personality adaptations

Question 5

Adaptive Coping

Answer 5

Crisis = shift in perspective

• refocus instinctual energy for needs of each stage
• normal development requires resolution of each stage
• maladaptive vs adaptive

Question 6

Maladaptive vs Adaptive

Answer 6

Maladaptive is negative, adaptive is positive

• ego must incorporate both
• e.g. in helplessness and dependency develop trust and mistrust

Question 7

Basic Strengths

Answer 7

Virtues:

motivating characteristics and beliefs from crisis resolution (e.g. hope)

Question 8

Trust vs. Mistrust

Answer 8

Birth - 1 year
- interaction w mother
Trust: consistency, continuity, sameness
Mistrust: inconsistency, suspicion, fear, anxiety
Basic strength: hope (desires will be satisfied)

Question 9

Autonomy vs. Doubt & Shame

Answer 9

2-3 (muscular-anal stage)
 - physical, mental abilities
 - autonomous will
 - toilet training crisis
Autonomy: exercising independence 
Shame: self-doubt
Basic Strength: will

Question 10

Initiative vs. Guilt

Answer 10

3-5 years (locomotor - genital stage)
- motor, mental dev.
- desire for independence
Parents can encourage in prep. for adult responsibility and morals
Initiative: initiates actives & fantasies
Guilt: punishment of initiative, guilt about self direction
Basic Strength: purpose

Question 11

Basic Weaknesses

Answer 11

• Motivating characteristics from unsatisfactory resolution of crises
• Adaptive or creative balance (positive dominant, negative also present)
• Maldevelopment

Question 12

Maldevelopment

Answer 12

When the ego consists solely of a single way of coping with conflict

only positive - maladaptive (neuroses)

only negative - malignant (psychoses)

Question 13

Questions about Human Nature

Answer 13

Optimistic - human strengths

Growth - consciously direct growth

Free will/Determinism - first 4 stages are beyond control

Nature/nurture - psychosocial experiences over instinctive bio forces

Past/present focus - childhood influences important but current events can counteract

Question 14

Criticisms

Answer 14

• No formal training in science
• Incomplete definition of maturity
• Personality dev. after 55 is characterized by negative emotions
• Sex differences: biology instead of sex-role
• Stages my not be applicable for women or lower class