ERIKSONIAN PSYCHOSOCIAL STAGE OF DEVELOPMENT

Eriksonian Psychosocial Stage Of Development

Eriksonian Psychosocial Stage Of Development

Eriksonian psychosocial stage of development

According to Erikson, socialization process consists of eight phases - "eight stages of man." His eight stages of man were formulated, not through experimental work, but through wide - ranging experience in psychotherapy, including extensive experience with children and adolescents from low - as well as upper - and middle - social classes. Each stage is regarded by Erikson as a "psychosocial crisis," which arises and demands resolution before next stage can be satisfactorily negotiated. These stages are conceived in an almost architectural sense: satisfactory learning and resolution of each crisis is necessary if child is to manage next and subsequent ones satisfactorily, just as foundation of a house is essential to first floor, which in turn must be structurally sound to support and second story, and so on. (Archer 2002 )

When looking at psychodynamic theory you will notice Erik Erikson?s stage theories which include adolescence to adulthood, early adulthood, middle adulthood, and lastly late adulthood. This paper will look into this theorists' beliefs and how these theories apply to various aspects of eating behaviors. In Erikson's first stage, oral-sensory stage, basic crisis centers on development of either trust or mistrust. An infant is almost completely dependent on others for fulfillment of his needs. If these needs are consistently satisfied and if it receives love and stimulation with those that it comes in contact with, it will develop the sense of trust, not only in others but in itself and in its ability to handle its needs (Fletcher, 2007). Healthy feeding behavior begins at infancy, as infants and their caregivers establish the partnership in which they recognize and interpret both verbal and non-verbal communications from each other. If child does not receive consistent, responsive interactions, attachment bond may not be secure, and feeding may become an occasion for unproductive battles over food (Black, 2007)(Erikson, 1963).

Erikson's second stage, Autonomy vs. shame and doubt, is the theory of psychosocial development takes place during early childhood and is focused on children developing the greater sense of personal control. Other important events include gaining more control over food choices, toy preferences, and clothing selection (Wagner, 2005).Toddler hood is characterized by bids for autonomy and independence as children strive to do things for themselves. When this is applied to eating, children my be hesitant to try new foods and insist on limiting repertoire of foods leading them to be described as picky eaters. Caregivers should be introducing new foods to child during this time, introducing new foods for child to experience (Black, 2007).

The third stage, Initiative vs. guilt, covers preschool years, were children develop initiative, they continue to develop their self-concept and gain the desire to try new things and to learn new things while being responsible for their actions to some extent. If caregivers continue to give children the safe space to experiment and appropriate stimuli to learn, children will continue to find their purpose (Oswalt, ...