The Psychosocial Theories Flashcards
Basic themes of Psychosocial Theories
-Primary focus in life is on social relationships
- early life social interactions carry into adulthood
what does object relation refer to?
object refers to a person and relation is how you bond with that “object”
Symbiosis
starts in infancy with the caregiver
Separation-individuation
when the child becomes aware of their own separate existence
what is Attachment theory?
attachment theory was made by Bowlby and attachment is the secure connection with someone else
functions of attachment
distance proximity- the child staying near their caregiver
safe haven- turning on to the caregiver for reassurance and care
secure base- a base in which you can explore outward from
Ainsworth’s elaborations- Attachment styles
secure attachment-learning that you can rely on your special adults for love, care, and comfort
insecure attachments:
anxious attachment- learned that their needs are sometimes met and sometimes not, so they end up being clingy and are constantly trying to find that secure feeling
avoidant attachment- learned that relying on a caregiver for a secure feeling will never get them what they want, they end up learning to rely on themselves
Strange Situation Test.
what is it?
what are the steps and components?
whats most important?
The strange situation test analyzes infant attachment style through seeing how the infant interacts with the stranger, the mother leaving, and the mother coming back.
the mother goes away twice for two minutes:
-the infant is left with he stranger
-the infant is left alone
both times the mother leaves, the most important part of the test is how the infant reacts when the mother comes back into the room
Attachment patterns in adults, how do styles impact love relationships?
secure attachment: they end up having a healthy, long, loving relationship. There is commitment and trust. The love is there and it’s real.
anxious attachment: obsessive overly dependent relationships. There is a constant need for reassurance which could lead to conflict and their is a lot of jealously. The love is love at first sight type. Fall in love easily but love doesn’t last.
avoidant attachment: they are less accepting of their partners imperfections. Not interested in knowing partners thoughts and feelings. There is a struggle with closeness and intimacy. There is no romantic love, it doesn’t exist.
Stability and specificity of attachment type
It stays relatively/moderately stable your entire life, usually the types that change are secure attachment types having a moment of insecure attachment.
There is some variation depending on the relationship but their is general model
Erikson’s psychosocial theory
-Psychosocial versus psychosexual
- Focus on entire life (life-span development) rather than infancy/childhood
-centered around the 8 psychosocial internal conflicts you deal with in life
the 8 stages:
trust vs. mistrust :
year 1
are needs met? is the world predictable?
virtue: Hope
autonomy vs. shame and doubt:
age 2-3
can I control my actions and self?
virtue: will
initiative vs guilt:
age 3-5
can I make something happen? (constantly asking questions)
virtue: purpose
industry vs inferiority:
age 5-11
can I do things in a way thats values appropriate? can I get things done?
virtue: competence
identity vs role confusion:
age 12-20
who am I? Where do I fit into the world?
virtue- fidelity
intimacy vs isolation:
age 20-29
Can you open yourself to
others?
virtue-love
Generativity vs stagnation
age: to the 60s
can I create a legacy? can I assist in the process of rebirth?
virue- care
integrity vs dispair
age: 70+
was my life worthwhile? Do I feel satisfies with the choices I have made?
Virtue- Wisdom
Problems/prospects for Psychosocial perspective
it does not mesh well with the trait theory
but it is rapidly growing and heavily searched
