Week 2 / Theories Of Development /Journet

      

   In Chapter 2 we are introduced to the many theories of development.  One theory that is considered to be the foundation  of many other theories is Sigmund Freud's Psychoanalytic Theory.  This theory has five stages of development and they are based on wants or needs.  Each stage is named after a pleasure center and is assigned to an age range.(Life Smart 30)

1.             The Oral Stage(0 to 1.5 years) goal to obtain a certain amount of sucking, eating and biting
2.             The Anal Stage (1.5 to 3 years) goal to successfully potty train
3.             The Phallic Stage (3 to 5 years ) goal to develop healthy sexual interest
4.             The Latency Stage (5 to 12 years) goal to develop physical, intellectual and social skills              while sexual desire is dormant 
5.             The Genital Stage (12 years and older) Surge of sexual hormones occur.  People look to               establish relationships outside of their immediate family

       This theory is based on wants or needs and if they aren't met aspects of the individual remain in that stage preventing him or her from fully maturing. This theory may lose popularity among some people because it focuses on the sexual instinct of people and it stops at the age of 12.  It implies that people 12 through 99 remain at the Genital Stage.

    

     In my opinion I like the way Erik Erikson Psychosocial Theory is set up.  It has 8 stages that go beyond age 12.  This implies that development continues even at a later age.  This Theory focuses on the impact of social experiences.  Each stage is marked by a life crisis that must be resolved in order to move on. (Life Smart 32).

   

                                            Age                 Stage                       Psychosocial Crisis

1.              0-2                  Infancy                    Basic Trust Vs. Mistrust
2.               2-3                 Early childhood       Autonomy Vs. Shame & Doubt
3.               3-5                 Childhood                Initiative Vs. Guilt
4.               5-12               Middle Childhood        Industry Vs.Inferiority
5.               12-18             Adolescence             Identity Vs. Identity Confusion
6.                18-25            Young Adult            Intimacy Vs. Isolation
7.                 25-65            Middle Age             Generativity Vs. Stagnation
8.                65 +              Old Age                  Integrity Vs. Despair       

I can relate to this theory a little better.  I wonder can someone be older in life say 40 years old and still be in Psychosocial Crisis of Identity Vs. Identity Confusion (12-18)  or Intimacy Vs. Isolation (18-25).  In my opinion some may take longer than others to get through a  specific life crisis.

    

    I also enjoyed reading and strongly agree with Maslow's Hierarchy of needs.  There are 5 stages of needs being met and utilized.  I'm hoping the percentage is greater than 2 percent when it comes to the individuals that reach the Self Actualization Stage.  I have seen individuals that get stuck in the first stage where life consists of meeting their most basic of needs like food and shelter. I wonder if it is possible to go though this hierarchy of needs while being able to skip a need like Love.  Can you meet basic needs, feel safe,  not be in love or really connected to some one yet feel good about yourself and reach the point of Self actualization.  Does Love include self Love?  I'm just thinking out loud.  I feel that I may be in the 3rd or 4th stage of this pyramid and hope to reach the point of Self Actualization in my lifetime.