Friday September 28

Today I read more of Chapter 5 and this is what I learned about Erik Erikson and the 8 stages of develpment

• Trust VS. Mistrust – Infants learn about basic trustworthiness of the environment. If they receive attention and affection -> they form a global impression of a trustworthy and secure world. If they receive pain and stress -> they believe life is unpredictable and untrustworthy.
• Autonomy VS. Shame and Doubt – Toddlers discover their own bodies and how to control them. If they succeed in doing things for themselves -> gain a sense of self-confidence and self-control. If they fail continuously -> feel shame and self-doubt.
• Initiative VS. Guilt – Children at age 4 or 5 explore beyond themselves. If exploration, projects and activities are effective -> learn to deal with people and things in constructive way and have strong sense of initiative. If they criticized or punished -> learn to feel guilty for many of their own actions.
• Industry VS. Inferiority – Children at ages 6 to 11 develop numerous skills.One’s sense of self is enriched by realistic development. A negative evolution is damaging at this time.
• Ego Identity VS. Ego Diffusion – Before adolescence, children learn a number of different roles. It is important to sort out and integrate these various roles into one constant identity. If a child fails to do this, the result is what Erikson calls ego diffusion.
• Intimacy VS. Isolation – In late adolescence and young adulthood, the central conflict is that of intimacy and isolation. This is the ability to share one’s self with another person of either sex without fear of losing one’s own identity.
• Generativity VS. Self-absorption – In adulthood, men and women are free to direct their attention more fully to the assistance of others. Individuals can direct energy without conflict to the solution of social issues.  Failure to resolve earlier conflicts -> results in preoccupation with one’s self.

• Integrity VS. Despair – In the last stages of life, individuals look back over their lives and judge them. If one looks back at life and is satisfied -> has sense of integrity. If one’s life seems to have misdirected energies and lost chances -> has sense of despair.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bdPPXGadRAU

Erik Erikson was a psychoanalyst who provided an alternative psychodynamic view in his theory of psychosocial development, which emphasizes our social interaction with other people. In Eriksons view, society and culture both challenge and shape us. Ericksons theory suggests that developmental change occurs throughout our lives in 8 distinct stages.

What can you do to benefit yourself and society:

Be humble, polite and have a smile on my face. Even though I may not think of this as a great act, it goes a long way in making a difference to the society. Negative emotions and bad attitude tend to create bad vibes that spreads around, which is picked up by other people. By improving my social skills, being friendly and approachable person, I can do a lot of good to my community.

What can you do to harm/disadvantage you and society

I could neglect my children

What can society do to benefit you and society itself

My government could use more tax dollars toward education

What can society do to harm/disadvantage you and society itself

My government could raise taxes for the poor