Developmental Stages and My Self Image

Paper Summary:

The paper discusses how Sigmund Freud and Erik Erickson viewed the psychological development of a person as occurring in various stages. They both believed that problems in any stage of development would have lasting effects on adult life. The paper explains how Freud focused on the sexual aspects of development, whereas Erickson took a more holistic view on the development of the person. The paper explores the various stages of development as they relate to the writer's own life experiences. The writer examines his/her family and maintains that it is a prime example of what can happen under various circumstances in the different stages of development. The writer looks at him/herself and a sister and discusses how they were treated differently in their early years. The paper contends that this is an excellent example of learned responses to our environment.

From the Paper:

"The first stage according to Freud is the oral phases where the physical focus is on the mouth, lips, tongue, and other mouth parts. This is that stage that determines the dependency level of the adult. Over-fulfilled babies have difficulty coping with disappointment. Those that did not get their needs fulfilled have difficulty developing trust. Erikson's first stage was similar. During the trust vs. mistrust stage the infant must feel that someone will respond to their needs. This creates a feeling that the world is predictable and can be trusted. Caregivers that are inconsistent or emotionally unattached cause the child to develop fear and a sense that the world is inconsistent and unpredictable."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Erikson, E.H. (1955). Freud's 'The Origins of Psychoanalysis.', Int. J. Psychoanal., 36:1-15.
• Erikson, E.H. (1956). The problem of ego identity., J. Amer. Psychoanal. Assn., 4:56-121.
• Freud, A. 1986 (Editor) Sigmund Freud: The Essentials of Psychoanalysis. Penguin.

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