Question

Identify two different stages of Erik Erikson’s theory of psychosocial development described in the vignette below. Identify each developmental crisis and explain why you think the behavior matches each crisis.Erik is 30 years-old and recently moved to California with his two children.  He is trying to balance parenting and meeting new people in the area to build his social network.  Erik is creating a loving and secure environment that his newborn son requires and is supporting his teenage daughter who is conflicted about where to go to college. She is interested in computer programming and also theater acting.

Answer 1

The two different stages of Erik Erikson's theory of psychosocial development described in the vignette are:

Stage 1: Trust vs Mistrust (Infant to 18 months)

and

Stage 5: Identity vs Role Confusion (13 to 21 years)

In stage 1: Trust vs mistrust, children who are infants till 18 months develop a sense of security with their primary caregiver. They trust those who cater to their primary needs and if they feel their needs are being met and they are being cared. When the primary caregiver cares for the child and fulfils the needs of the child, the child starts trusting the person. Failing to do so, the child develops mistrust. They develop suspicion and fear of future events.

In this scenario, Erik's newborn child is in stage 1, therefore Erik is developing the trust of his child by creating a loving and secure environment. This will help the child develop trust in Erik and also make him feel secure.

In stage 5: Identity vs Role Confusion, adolescents and young adults between the age of 13-21 years start discovering themselves and start finding meaning to their personhood. They even experience identity crisis as a result of transition from childhood to adulthood. Some adolescents go through confusion at this stage as to what activity to indulge in.

In this scenario, Erik's teenage daughter is in this stage where she is having issues in transitioning from school to college and having confusion about the suject/stream to choose between computer programming and theater acting.