01/17/2018
My Journey: Day 14
The life cycle is an amazing one and Erikson's theory of human development; Freud’s theory of personality and the systemic perspective are fitting means of connections. Let’s pretend that we can turn back the hands of time and walk together as we reflect on the turning points of my childhood and adolescent years. It is in the understanding of my place and role within my family of origin that we may best understand the development of my personality.
Sigmund Freud (1856 – 1939) highlighted unconscious psychological processes and stressed the importance of early childhood experiences. His viewpoint that social development is largely based on the first 6 years of life has provided much insight for early childhood educators and especially for parents. He believed that unresolved conflicts during early childhood are huge variables in personality difficulties we face later in life.
Erik Erikson (1902-1994) emphasis was on the social factors that contained early childhood but extended beyond. He presented us with a more positive approach as he considered the health and growth of the individual. He showed how the self-emerged and developed that the interactions with the social and cultural environment had a huge impact on this process. In many ways the challenge for individuals is to find a balance between self and the world in which one is exposed to. Taking into consideration at the same time that the world changes from which environment we are currently in (home, school, community, place of worship, etc). Each of these worlds have their own set of acceptable norms; desirable behaviors and consequence and reward systems.
It is here we can see clearly how the psycho social theory focuses on and stresses integration of the biological, psychological, and social aspects of development.
Each stage of life has a framework:
• Major developmental tasks at each stage of life
• Critical needs that are either satisfied or frustrated
• Potentials for choice
• Critical turning points
• Developmental crises
• Fixated at a transitional period
• Faulty personality development (moving backwards with later in life personality conflicts)
• Achievement of successful resolution of our conflicts (moving ahead)
As time has gone on we have seen more focus on the interpersonal realm and connection to others as essential. This perspective takes into account race, socioeconomic class, disability, gender, ethnicity, and culture as central factors that influence the course of development throughout the individual's life-cycle.
The systemic approach emphasizes the social context of behavior and how gender affects that behavior. In some cases, gender can play a role in the choosing of a career. Traditionally we have seen or considered construction work to be a man’s role. This has been challenged in today’s workforce. Fields that were once thought of female like nursing are still confronted by society when a man is a nurse with “why a nurse and not a doctor?” In many ways this approach goes beyond the self and offers a true concept for the need of others.
Combing these theories and looking at others we can gather that every stage of life is equally important and necessary for the well being of humankind. Each stage of life has its own unique “gift” to contribute.
Infancy (birth to age 2)
• This is a time for the development of empathy and emotional attunement.
• Some specific tasks include learning to talk, making needs known, developing coordination, recognizing self as a separate person, and trusting others. Infants learn how to sit, stand, walk, run, manipulate objects, and feed themselves.
• They communicate both frustration and happiness.
Possible Problems:
Later personality problems that stem from infancy can include greediness and acquisitiveness the development of a view of the world based on mistrust, fear o reaching out to others, rejection of affection, fear of loving and trusting, low self-esteem, isolation and withdrawal, an inability to form or maintain intimate relationships.
Early childhood (ages 2–6)
• The theme of this phase is a growing understanding of interdependence. Great strides in language and motor development are made. A key task is to develop emotional competence, which involves being able to delay gratification.
• This stage ushers in the awareness of “otherness” in terms of gender, race, and disability. Other tasks include learning cooperative play, being able to share, developing peer relationships, becoming aware of self in relation to the world around us, and increasing our ability to trust others.
Possible Problems:
Children experience many negative feelings such a hostility, rage, destructiveness anger, and hatred. If these feelings are no accepted, individuals may not be able to accept their feelings later on.
Middle childhood (ages 6–12)
• This is a time when children learn to read, write, and do math. They increase their understanding of self in terms of gender, race, culture, and abilities. There is an increased understanding of self in relation to family, peers, and community. A key task is developing empathy, or being able to take the perspective of others.
Possible Problems:
Problems that can originate during middle childhood include negative self-concept, feelings of inferiority in establishing social relationships, conflicts over values, confused gender-role identity, dependency, fear of new challenges, an lack of initiative.
Pubescence (ages 11–13 for girls) (ages 12–14 for boys)
• A time of finding one's own voice and the beginning of developing a sense of autonomy. Some specific developmental tasks include asserting oneself, developing emotional competence, increasing capacity for moral understanding, coping with dramatic bodily changes, increasing ability to deal with social relationships and work collaboratively, and developing awareness of own and others' sexuality.
• This is a time of expanded sense of self in relation to peers, family, and community.
Possible Problems:
Communication can be challenging in both verbally and non verbally context. Negative learning experiences tend to lead to feelings of guilt about natural impulses. Strict parental indoctrination can lead to rigidity, severe conflicts, remorse, and self- condemnation.
Adolescence (ages 13– 20)
• The theme of this period is searching for an identity, continuing to find one's voice, and balancing caring of self with caring about others.
• Key developmental themes include dealing with rapid body changes and body image issues, learning self- management, developing one's sexual identity, developing a philosophy of life and a spiritual identity, learning to deal with intimate relationships, and an expanded understanding of self in relation to others.
Possible Problems:
A time when a individual may anticipate an identity crisis. Caught in the midst of pressures, demands, and turmoil, adolescents often lose a sense of self. If role confusion results, the individual may lack sense of purpose in late years. Absence of a stable set of values can prevent mature development of a philosophy to guide one's life.