Erickson’s Theory of Psychosocial Development Analysis

Ericksons Theory of Psycho favorable Development Analysis psychology 1 Development and learningindistinguishability verse confusionAn teenager is a person who is currently in the functioning of developing from a child into an adult. This process involves m some(prenominal) social and physical changes that challenge the insubstantial. It is in this detail that a person forms their identity element operator. This time period has been defined by Erik Erikson as Identity verse Confusion. This period can be oddly challenging and in a post-Apartheid in the south Africa, adolescence atomic number 18 finding this stage more(prenominal)(prenominal) challenging than in the past. (Bray, Gooskens, Khan, Moses Seekings, 2010)Erick Ericksons surmise of psychosocial ontogenesis is unitary of the few developmental theories that does not restrict development to a specific age group or time period, but rather he suggests that development is a continuous process that spans the entiret y of human life. (Comer, Gould Furnham, 2013) His surmisal is broken into 8 distinctive stages. In order for one to advancement from one stage to the coterminous a person must carry through the challenge or crisis associated with that stage. Ericksons places particular emphasis on the adolescent stage (ages 12 -20) identity verse confusion. (Comer, Gould Furnham, 2013) Erikson believed this stage was particularly alpha in the sense that it was at this stage that one builds social relationships, finds a sense of belonging and decided the general direction of their life. He besides believed once this stage was completed one could move on to the next stage Intimacy vs Isolation. (Ages 20 30). This stage is considered young adulthood and associated with finding a life partner, inflexibletling down and dusking into your job role. (Comer, Gould Furnham, 2013)In the earlier stages of Eriksons system, a childs identity is generally based on identification with role frameworks . (Thom Coetzee, 2004) thus far during adolescence there is deal create a sense of autonomy and as a conduce the adolescent moves away from the parents and role models and looks toward peer groups for guidance and support in their seem for identity (Allen Land, 1999). The adolescents besides range to question previous ideologies that they had acquired decease-to-end childhood and begin to retain and get a line with opinions that assimilate into their new realness views. (Thom Coetzee, 2004) up to now Eriksons theory does not consider how resistent cultures, classes and sexs differ in this developmental process. In a post-Apartheid in the south Africa there is a significant difference between say how an African and a ovalbumin adolescent develop due to cultural differences and expectations (Thom Coetzee, 2004). There is also a difference between males and females, as salubrious as those who live in lower socio frugal circumstances in comparison with those who occu py the wealthier socio economic station in life with in southerly Africa. (Bray, Gooskens, Khan, Moses Seekings, 2010).Erick Eriksons theory is focused on a western perspective of development and thusly as moderate as I as a white-hot, middle class, educated female, fall deep down the bounds of his theory. Erikson believes that the conflict that adolescents must track is the conflict between identity and role confusion (Comer, Gould Furnham, 2013). They progress to to begin making decisions that ordain affect their life in the future, for example whether to cling university or go straight into the work force as well as opinions such as policy-making views and religious views must also develop. (Comer, Gould Furnham, 2013). This I can strongly relate to and as an adolescent I grappled and still grapple with these challenges.In my matric year these questions of my future where approximately prevalent, choosing a level and a university was the first major conflict that I faced and it is one that took almost the entire year to bruise. The pressure to drive a socially acceptable degree, that still is within my skill set and what I love to do was a challenge, naturally my parents were drawn to the mind of me perusing a degree in commerce that would be practical. unless I had formed my own opinion and as Allen and Land (2010) appoint I began to question previous ideologies set out by my parents, that they had acquired throughout childhood and begin to retain and identify with opinions that fitted more in get out with what I believed. As a takings I chose a degree and a university that would fit my views and as a core Im perusing a Batchelor of Arts degree, successfully overcoming that challenged.Furthermore in 2014 my political views were also challenged as it was an election year. Having just turned eighteen I was permitted to vote for the first time and as a result I had to question and form a knowledge base of who and what I need to support before I cast my vote. These challenges where deluge even sotually deluge by industrious seeking of information. Erickson expresses a great importance is lay on per groups during this period of adolescence and as a result I pitch myself turning to my close friend groups for advice on both challenges.However this process cannot apply to all adolescents within South Africa. South African adolescents have all been subjected to socio-political changes in recent years and as a result they are forming identities in a society that is itself permiting a transformation (Thom Coetzee, 2004). As a result adolescents may experience a dual identity crisis, their individual as well as a cultural crisis (Kilpatrick, 1974 as cited in Thom Coetzee, 2004).An example of this is seen within the scorch adolescent group. During Apartheid numerous bleak adolescents identified with groups with strong social and cultural identities (Kilpatrick, 1974 as cited in Thom Coetzee, 2004). The ignomi nious adolescents all undergo the same oppressive conditions under the apartheid regime and as a result formed a common group identity. It could be give tongue to that this structured group identity model continues to serve as a clear frame of reference in this post-Apartheid era (Thom Coetzee, 2004). However since 1994 South Africa has been governed by a democratic system, eliminating the factor of oppression. Therefore African cultures are now recognised and dignified and as a result young black South Africans can accept their culture with pride. do it possible for these adolescents to choose the direction of their lives without the overhanging factor of oppression allowing for a more personal choice of identity rather than a group identity (Thom Coetzee, 2004).However it could be said that this newly found social immunity could be contributing to role confusion within black adolescents. Since the end of apartheid new role models and economic structures have been formed and as a result South Africa is becoming increasingly more globalised. this has affected the black adolescence in the fact that they two are becoming globalised and as a result they are merging their cultural roots with western ideals. This unless may isolate them from their cultural backgrounds and elders and therefore leaded to confusion on where they belong (Early, 2008)Other factors that can affect adolescent identity development that are not considered by Eriksons theory is gender and social demographics. Again due to the previous Apartheid regime many young South Africans have been subjected to the effects of a history of legitimised power relationships between racial groups and the culturally inscribed gender roles that accompany it (Bray, Gooskens, Khan, Moses Seekings, 2010). As a result there are different expectations that are placed on males and females, even within the same cultural groups. An examples are boys, especially in poorer socio-economic arears, who are expected to conform to the ridged definition of masculinity. This is a result of the absence of jobs, and recreational activities for the young men and therefore these men must splay themselves in alternative fashion, often resorting to violence (Bray, Gooskens, Khan, Moses Seekings, 2010).As stated antecedently Erickson believed that during this time of adolescence peer relationships become increasingly important in the adolescence search for autonomy. (Comer, Gould Furnham, 2013). However even these peer relationships are affected by race, gender and social standing and as the adolescent begins to explore the possibility of romanticist relationships and sexual relationships these factors again play a role (Bray, Gooskens, Khan, Moses Seekings, 2010).For example adolescences within African neighbourhoods report to have more sexual relations accordingly those in poor slanting neighbourhoods. Those in poor neighbourhoods stated that they had more sexual relations then those in wealthi er coloured neighbourhoods and those in wealthier coloured neighbourhoods sates that they had more sexual relations those in white neighbourhoods (Bray, Gooskens, Khan, Moses Seekings, 2010). This shows how demographics and race affect your relationships and ultimately your identity.The examples above show how within South Africa there is a diverse range of what adolescent development entails. However they have not expressed what the basic skills and values that are incumbent for the resolution if an identity crisisJames Marcia expanded on Erick Ericksons theory of psychosocial development theory. He suggested that there where a combination of explorations which involve active questioning aimed at making decisions about goals and values and a dedication to those goals and values (Comer, Gould Furnham, 2013).He determined that there were four identity statuses foreclosure, identify diffusion, marorium and identity achievement (Waterman, 1982). Identity foreclosure relates to when a inscription is made without exploring any alternatives to that dedication. Often adolescents who fall in to this category base their beliefs solely on their parents values (Comer, Gould Furnham, 2013). Often this is seen in adolescents who identify greatly with their parents prior too or during adolescents (Waterman, 1982). These adolescents have not successfully overcome the identity crisis. Identity diffusion is when some adolescents become overwhelmed by the assign of identity development and neither make commitments nor explore. They have little care in identity status and often do not undergo an identity crisis (Comer, Gould Furnham, 2013). These adolescents entrust have for the most part permissive, neglecting parents and therefore will have difficulty in successfully resolving an identity crisis (Waterman, 1982). Identity moratorium is a status of indivulaus who are currenty in a crisis who is still exploring identity commitments. These individuals have not yet over come the crisis and may either fall in the identity diffusions status not making any commitment at all or may fall in to the identity achievement status (Comer, Gould Furnham, 2013). Identity achievement is the status of an individual who has successfully overcome the crisis they have undergone exploration and have made a commitment (Comer, Gould Furnham, 2013). The increased availability of role modles will greatly aid in the formation of stable commitments. A successful adult role model may serve as a example on how to overcome challenges and difficult situations. Furthermore Parents who they themselves have successfully achieved identity achievement will help nurture this value in their child (Waterman, 1982).Therefore in conclusion it can be said that within a South African context psychosocial development, especially identity verse confusion is experienced differently depending on race, culture, gender and demographics. it can also be said that not all adolescents experience the psychosocial crisis within this stage and therefore many do not fall in to the identity achievement status.