Basics of Jean Piaget's Theory and Erick Erickson's Life Stages Theory Essay

Basics of Jean Piaget's Theory

The Piaget's theory of cognitive development argues that intelligence is the primary mechanism when it comes to making sure there is an equilibrium between the environment and an individual. The balance is achieved through personal actions in the world. The theory also claims that intellectual development is a process that is continuous and involves assimilation as well as accommodations resulting in the application of schemes of action already available in the world (Carey et al.,N.p). The coordination of human brains aligns itself and accommodates the environment. There are four stages explained in this theory, but the paper will specify with the fourth stage, that is Formal operation stage. The facts that I am 32 years old make this stage applicable under my case. The stage starts at 11 years all the way to adulthood. The stage is characterized by individual thinking abstractly with logical reasoning. A person in this stage can be able to utilize the available information and make conclusions in any hypothetical situations. At the same time, the individual in this stage experiences and understands the meaning and value of love, logical proofs, and values.

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Basics of Erick Erickson's Life Stages Theory

Erick Erickson came about with the theory of psychological development in 1959. His approach has eight distinct stages which included trust vs. mistrust, autonomy vs. shame, initiation vs. guilt, industry vs. inferiority, identity vs. role confusion, intimacy vs. isolation, generatively vs. stagnation and ego integrity vs. despair ( McLeod,N.p). Therefore, I, being 32 years of age, I will specify with the stage of intimacy vs. isolation. The stage starts from 18 to 40 years of age. In this stage, an individual begins sharing more intimately with other people, other than the family members. At the same time, urge for a long-term relationship with a partner, other than family member also develops. The success in this stage results in the virtue of love, and opposite leading to personal depression and stress.

How I Apply the Two Theories

Being 32 years of age, the theories of Jean Piaget and Erick Erickson applies to a great extent to my age group in particular. The Fourth stage of Jean Piaget's theory (formal operation stage applies to me. In Erick Erickson's argument, the intimacy vs. isolation stage also applies in my case. According to me, the two arguments discuss issues, feelings, and situations which I face every day. For instance, I always have feelings of creating friendship and links with many people. In most cases, I am attracted to people of opposite gender, but not family members. In case I love a person, and he/she does not love me back, I feel bad. I am always contented when I am connected to as many people as possible. In fact, I still have a sense of responsibility towards other people. I am happy when I serve in various capacities, including at the college level. Similarly, I always feel contented when I am close to my lover.

At the same time, I can solve issues that affect my life. I usually make personal life decisions without having to consult anyone. For example, I plan how I will purchase a new house, a car, and other personal belongings in the next few years. Also, I have own timetable and schedule for all the activities I undertake daily. I have time for classes, gym, and other games, etc. I can reason and solve any situation without involving any person. All these situations are captured very well in the two theories, meaning, I apply these theories daily in all my undertakings. I have learned from the lesson that the knowledge obtained from theories is derived from practical issues that we go through in our daily lives. I have also learned that development goes in stages, and that is why people of different age groups behave differently.

Works Cited

Carey, Susan, Deborah Zaitchik, and Igor Bascandziev. "Theories of development: In dialog with Jean Piaget." Developmental Review 38 (2015): 36-54.

McLeod, Saul. "Erik Erikson." Retrieved August 9 (2013): 2013.