Understanding Human Development: An Essential Guide for Parents - Essay Sample

Introduction

There are so many factors that contribute to the behaviors of humans. There is a distinct personality for every human being, and many people attach its cause to genes (Branje & Koper, 2018). Whether you are already a parent or maybe planning to be one, knowledge of human development can teach you a lot about your kids. The parents who don't have a good understanding of human development from breastfeeding to adults are not able to differentiate what's rational or spot any developmental problem, whether cognitive, social, or emotional. This paper will discuss child development from breastfeeding to adult as well as factors that determine child behavior, as highlighted by Erickson in his theory of development. It will be about how we can eliminate the development crisis. Erickson's theory comprises of 8 stages with both positive and negative influences in each (Cherry,2017). All the steps underwrite physical, intelligence, physical, emotion, and social dimensions of an individual.

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Theory of Development

It came in the 20th century, the time when there was a concern of changing the dominating perception of children being seen as small adults to discovering the abnormal behaviors in their development. Erickson's theory encompassed the entire human life (Knight, 2017). Every stage presented with conflict whose accomplishment or letdown influences the personality. He attempts to explain the general development of personality and behavior in individuals that are mostly attached to stages of life. His work is mainly connected to Freud's. However, he is involved and covers from childhood to maturity.

He claims that there is development in all years of human life. The effects of these stages are influenced by training, exposure, and experience, where it can be either positive or negative. He cautions on the use of the word achievement and instead advocates on an acquisition of personality. The reason he has to build his work on Freud's findings is to make it more meaningful and reachable. He also saw the areas that require to be accomplished in the distinct ages for a desirable living (Syed & Fish, 2018). His model of 8 stages uses age brackets that are not fixed; therefore, there is no possibility of overlapping. Erikson presents the eight stages as follows:

Stage 1

This is the first stage which talks about psychosocial development of trust and mistrust with the feature of hope, and it covers infant between the ages of 0 to 1 years. Here, the children have a total reliance on mothers. The parent guides the child in understanding the world. When the child gets exposure to the needs of this stage, he or she gets trust in the world. However, if the child does not get the required disclosure in this stage, he or she will get the psychosocial development of mistrust about the world. Also, the infant gets a good understanding of the people and the world in general. Erikson advises proper feeding, warmth, and sleeping in this stage.

Stage 2

This is the stage that covers the autonomy versus shame or doubts with a feature of will. It happens in children between the ages of 2 and 3 years. Here, the child explores his or her environment. The extent of exploration at this stage depends on the encouragement as well as the strictness of the parents. The caregiver's reactions to the infant affect their actions. The child can now move, and there is an increase in the coordination of muscles. He or she can also deal with a few issues he or she is facing without a bother to the caregivers (Greene,2017). If they are encouraged, they develop a sense of autonomy; however, if they get discouraged, they appear shameful and also doubting their abilities. This stage comprises confidence and independence for the mind and self. Erikson advises on toilet training, walking help and encouragement to the kids at this stage

Stage 3

This stage covers initiative versus guilt, where its feature is purpose covering children of 3 to 5 years. Activities of purposes which the children engage in, helps them understand nature. When they fail to achieve or take part in the wrong things, they develop a lot of guilt. They also have many choices to choose from concerning activities to do that can fit them or not, which may affect them in doing beyond their abilities. The parent's responses affect their creativity. When they get motivation, they try various things that give them confidence and achievements. If discouraged, they feel guilty and get afraid of trying new things. Children get frustrated when they fail in their activities, which may bring negative behaviors. Erikson advises on playing and adventures to be used in this stage.

Stage 4

This stage involves industry versus inferiority with a feature of competence. It is between ages 6 to 11 years, the childhood age. The children at this age have an awareness regarding themselves and are capable of applying logic to the practical things. They aim to be responsible and to do the right things and attend their issues without assistance. The stage helps them to be able to undertake complex and meaningful things that are of purpose. There is the development of a cooperation spirit where every child can discover his capabilities. Here, everything else is built upon this stage; hence remains a vital transition. Erikson advises encouragement from friends, teachers, parents, and also schooling in this stage.

Stage 5

It involves identity versus role and ranges between 12 to 19 years, the adolescence stage. It has a feature of eagle quality, and it is a transition from a child to an adult where there appears confusion of roles. Here, there is identity awareness as the children discover the reality of themselves, the view of society, and their expectations. The stage helps to present the expectations in the future and brings a personality of who they like to become. Sexuality is developed at this stage, where many parents try to influence children's decisions. It blocks the self- the establishment of the children hence an altered identity. Erikson advises on identification with peers in this stage.

Stage 6

This stage talks of intimacy versus isolation, and the virtue of love is established. It is between ages 20 to 40, the young adults. There is identification with friends at this stage, and due to painful experiences, there might be isolation as there are fear rejection and breakups. They tend to develop a defensive mechanism that they think will destroy what they think are enemies. The stages allow people to develop to other commitments like marriage. Erickson advises cultivating social life, friends, and intimacy for satisfaction.

Stage 7

It involves generativity vs. stagnation and the feature of care. It covers ages between 45 to 65 years, middle adulthood. Responsibilities, as well as social works, characterize it, and it is focused on the siblings. These young adults are the caregivers of the young, and it warns on the influence of previous failures in other stages. They have a lot to do to the young and others. Understanding this stage will enable an individual to give back to the community as well as participate in development.

Stage 8

It is the final stage and comprises ego integrity and despair. It covers the ages of 68 years and above, the senior adults. Its feature is wisdom, which acts as a review of how lives have been and the achievements so far. The individual may feel rejected or accepted following the achievements they had to the community and world. The problem of feeling rejected can be solved by the individual working hard to accomplish more. This knowledge will enable the individual also to give to the community what he or she hasn't and to be responsible for any of the mistakes made.

Conclusion

In every stage of Erickson's theory of development, the two extremes are both negative and positive. There is a unique need for balancing the two to have a balanced life. As discussed in the paper, each stage is a transition for the next, and it is crucial to finish the tasks in every stage highlighted. It will help to eliminate the possibility of problems in the future. The caregivers are supposed to facilitate the right balance of the conflicts in all the stages.

References

Branje, S. J. T., & Koper, N. (2018). Psychosocial Development. https://dspace.library.uu.nl/bitstream/handle/1874/380077/the_sage_encyclopedia_of_lifespan_human_development_i20544.pdf?sequence=1

Cherry, K. (2018). Erik Erikson's Stages of Psychosocial Development. Retrieved July 5, 2018. http://www.cbsd.org/cms/lib010/PA01916442/Centricity/Domain/1851/Erik%20Erikson%20Article%20from%20Aboutcom.docx

Greene, R. R. (2017). Eriksonian theory: A developmental approach to ego mastery. Human behavior theory and social work practice (pp. 107-136). Routledge. https://www.taylorfrancis.com/books/e/9781351327404/chapters/10.4324/9781351327404-6

Knight, Z. G. (2017). A proposed model of psychodynamic psychotherapy linked to Erik Erikson's eight stages of psychosocial development. Clinical psychology & psychotherapy, 24(5), 1047-1058. https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Zelda_Knight/publication/312932996_A_proposed_model_of_psychodynamic_psychotherapy_linked_to_Erik_Erikson%27s_eight_stages_of_psychosocial_development/links/59ca76f20f7e9bbfdc36a80b/A-proposed-model-of-psychodynamic-psychotherapy-linked-to-Erik-Eriksons-eight-stages-of-psychosocial-development.pdf

Syed, M., & Fish, J. (2018). Revisiting Erik Erikson's legacy on culture, race, and ethnicity. Identity, 18(4), 274-283. https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Jillian_Fish/publication/328246584_Revisiting_Erik_Erikson%27s_Legacy_on_Culture_Race_and_Ethnicity/links/5bcdf4f6a6fdcc204a000b21/Revisiting-Erik-Eriksons-Legacy-on-Culture-Race-and-Ethnicity.pdf