Developmental Psychology (Erikson/Piaget) Case Studies

Developmental Psychology (Erikson/Piaget) Case Studies

Introduction

Erikson theory of Psychology is famous because it described the psychological developments of a person, which develop throughout his lifetime. The developments are defined with the help of eight stages (About.com, 2013). Piaget believed that (Kail and Cavanaugh, 2013) cognitive abilities of a person are developed over time, as he becomes mentally matured and experienced of the environment.

This paper presents 4 case studies, which are based on Erikson and Piaget Psychological theories. The characters in these case studies can be clearly seen to be in one or more of the stages, as defined by these psychologists.

Case Study # 1: Erikson' Stage of Industry versus Inferiority

The stage of Industry versus Inferiority lasts from the years 3 to 5, during which a person begins to explore the world. These years are usually included in pre-school age of a child. This stage came for Jack who was a student of elementary school. The boy was too excited on the day when he started school; he felt very proud upon knowing the fact that he knew all the alphabets, which most of the other students in class didn't know. Jack continued to work hard in his kindergarten classes; sometimes in order to be able to color in the lines perfectly, and sometimes to be able to cut the shapes properly. He felt senses of achievement, honor and accomplishment whenever he got his papers back with the star or smiling faces from the teachers. However, Jack's feelings were significantly changed when he observed that some of his peers (at the same academic level) were performing even better than him; for example some students in the class were really good at performing multiplication, or memorizing tables.

The sense of inferiority gradually developed in Jack and as a result, his confidence in the subjects such as mathematics decreased significantly. He began to though that he was not good at this subject, in comparison to his peers. This was the time when Jack had to learn the fact that he could not be good at all the subjects, in the similar capacity. Once he realized this fact, he also learned that of he really wants to better at any skill, he should work hard to achieve it.

Case Study # 2: Erikson' Stage of Intimacy versus Isolation

The stage of Intimacy versus Isolation lasts from the years 19 to 40, during which a person forms most of his relationships. Lina observed this stage when a guy named as Sam started to take interest in her. Very soon they became close friends, and began to spend time together, which resulted in a new but close relationship for both of them. Mostly, they were seen together in the college cafeteria, library, and even in the coffee houses, and cinemas after the college hours ended. As their relationship continued, they began to spend weekends and vacations together. Lina was too proud on being a love of the most handsome guy of their class; ...