Psychosocial Stages Essay

Submitted By ilovecookies1234
Words: 1237
Pages: 5
Open Document
Psychosocial Stages in Relation to Lia
Erik Erikson, a developmental psychologist and psychoanalyst known for his theory on psychosocial developmental on human beings, proposed a lifespan model of development taking in five stages up to the age of eighteen and three further stages beyond into adulthood. He put a large emphasis on the adolescent stage, claiming it is crucial for developing a person’s identity
(McLeod). In Laurie Halse Anderson’s novel, Wintergirls, the main character, Lia, may be an example of failing to complete these psychosocial stages. As demonstrated by Lia, failure to successfully complete one or more psychosocial stages can result in an unhealthy personality, which can lead to emotional and mental trauma such as eating disorders.
The fourth stage of Erikson’s theory is Industry(competence) vs. Inferiority. This stage is for children ages five through twelve, and is when a child’s peer group starts to influence self­esteem. The child feels the need to win approval by demonstrating specific competencies valued by society, and they begin to develop a sense of pride in their accomplishments
(McLeod). However, if this child's initiative is not encouraged, or if it is restricted by the parents and teachers, then this child feels inferior and doubts their abilities (McLeod). This inferiority is present in Lia's character in Wintergirls; when Lia was younger and in ballet, her instructor criticized her body and helped push Lia into being anorexic and obsessing over her weight.
Another possible reason for Lia feeling inferior could be her mother's control issues. Her mom is very strict and controlling, so Lia's eating disorder might be her way of taking control of her own life. McLeod says success in this stage will lead to the virtue of competence, the ability to do something successfully or efficiently. If this relates to Lia’s weight, then it is safe to say that Lia has failed. She does not know how to successfully take care of her body, and she doesn’t even

successfully put others before herself. Lia doesn’t consider how her weight issues are affecting her family, especially her little step­sister.
Between the ages twelve and eighteen, a child transitions from the fourth psychosocial stage to the fifth stage. The fifth stage is called Identity vs. Role Confusion. During this period in a child's life, he or she just wants to fit into society and belong. This child has to learn the roles that they will hold as adults, and then he or she will generally reexamine their identity to find out who they really are (McLeod). This is especially true during puberty. The body changes so much, and the adolescent feels uncomfortable and insecure about their bodies. This can sometimes even confuse them which can lead to role confusion. Role confusion can make the child experiment with different lifestyles. Role confusion can also be lead by the failure to establish a sense of identity within a society. The child does not feel like they have a specific role. And pressuring someone into an identity can result in rebellion, by establishing a negative identity(McLeod). This may be the case for Lia. Because she struggles with the first stage, she struggles even more during this one, and it probably confuses her. Her body started changing during puberty. Her hips started growing and she maybe put on a little extra weight, and she freaked out. She wants to be skinny, skinnier than all the girls in school, skinnier than Cassie. She stops eating, and exercises too much, and takes laxatives.
Her parents try to control her by putting her into treatment. After she gets out, she tries twice as hard to lose the weight, only she is much sneakier about it this time. However, Lia is aware that she has no purpose. She said herself that she is not dead, but she's not alive either. She is a wintergirl, and she definitely rebelled, too. Her parents want her to recover, and get good grades and be a
Show More

Related Documents: Psychosocial Stages Essay

Analyzing Erikson's Stages Of Psychosocial Development

The first stage that we all go through, according to Erik Erikson, is the trust vs. mistrust stage. During this stage infants, age zero to one develop trust, usually on one’s parents. The infant develops trust based on if the essential needs they have to survive are met. If the needs of the infant are met, it will gain hope. According to Pastorino and Doyle-Portillo, “ Developing a sense of trust also fosters the development of a secure attachment.” (p.379) If the infant's needs aren’t met the infant…

Words 523 - Pages 3

Erikson ' s Stages of Psychosocial Development and Life Events Essay

Psychosocial Development The first stage of development is infancy. It lasts from birth to 1 year. The basic conflict is trust versus mistrust. Infants develop trust in self, others, and the environment when caregiver is responsive to basic needs and provides comfort; if needs are not met the infant becomes uncooperative and aggressive, and shows a decreased interest in the environment. The second stage of development is toddler. It lasts from 1-3 years. The basic conflict is autonomy versus shame…

Words 511 - Pages 3

Erikson ' s Stages of Psychosocial Development and Motor Skills Essay

or she can do with help under adult guidance or in collaboration with more capable peers. It goes from known to the unknown, shouldn’t be too hard for a kid 12) Developmental millstone- it is the Child development stages describe where the child should be physically at a certain stage- crucial moments-muscular movements EX: 2-3 months they lift head at 90 degree from stomach. 3.5-4.5 month’s rollover. 3-4 head up sometimes with support, 5.5-7.5-all back muscle should be developed. 6-10-stand up with…

Words 1441 - Pages 6

Essay about Erikson: Erikson ' s Stages of Psychosocial Development and Vs

Erikson’s Eight Stages of Development from his paper entitled “The Eight Ages of Man” Definitions Definitions Crisis: The turning point faced at each developmental stage. Definitions Crisis: Basic Strength: The turning point faced at each developmental stage. Motivating characteristics and beliefs that derive from the satisfactory resolution of the crisis at each developmental stage. Definitions Crisis: Basic Strength: The turning point faced at each developmental stage. Motivating characteristics…

Words 3356 - Pages 14

What Is Erikson's Theory Of Psychosocial Development

Erickson’s Theory of Psychosocial Development Bethany Caldwell December 7, 2014 Dr. Lauria Excelsior College Abstract For my term paper I wish to discuss about Erikson’s psychosocial theory. This topic does a great job of exploring the lifespan. As a nurse I do have some knowledge of the lifespan development, researching this topic allowed me to learn more about the lifespan. This was a great learning experience for me. This topic is important to me because the psychosocial theory expands through…

Words 2370 - Pages 10

Theories: Developmental Psychology and Phase early Adulthood Essay

Erikson’s Psychosocial Stages I chose to express my opinion on Erikson's psychosocial theory. This theory seems to register with me and I believe that it is very relevant to the human lifespan. Erikson’s theory is based on the development of the human as the development throughout life from infancy to adulthood. In each phase of the psychosocial theory one will hopefully encounter and overcome new challenges which will help them later on in life. The positive completion of each stage is necessary…

Words 408 - Pages 2

Global Ethics Essay

Psychosexual Development, Psychosocial Development, Cognitive Development, Moral Development and Longitudinal Development. Of the seven patterns, I believe that psychosocial development is the most important. Erik Erikson’s theory of psychosocial development is one of the best known personality theories in psychology. Erikson believed that there are eight stages of development in regards to personality that spans the life of a person. He believed that in each stage of development a person experienced…

Words 954 - Pages 4

Critical Analysis freud vs erickson Essay

to build many other psychological theories, but it, itself is no longer used widely. With this being said, I would like to further expound on two very interesting psychoanalytical theories, Sigmund Freud’s psychosexual theory and Erik Erickson’s psychosocial theory, breaking down their differences and similarities. Freud and Erickson’s theory has many differences, but also their theories share many components in common. Freud’s theory was based on a Viennese physician, seeking a cure for emotionally…

Words 1454 - Pages 6

Bryce Goudnicht's 26-Day Apocalyptic Diary

It closely follows Erik Erikson’s psychosocial theory, claiming that humans develop in stages beginning at infancy and continuing into late adulthood. The eight stages hope, will, purpose, competence, fidelity, love, care, and wisdom all play a role in this poem. With each stage the individual is supposed to master each new challenge. Failure to do so could ultimately result in a psychosocial crisis. The first four lines exemplify the speaker’s hope stage. He/she begins to write with a prospective…

Words 470 - Pages 2

Erikson's Theory Of Psychosocial Development

head: ERIKSON'S THEORY Erikson's Theory of Psychosocial Development Veronica L. Lawrence American Military University EDUC210 I006 Dr. Joanetta Ellis June 24, 2013 Abstract This essay discusses research concerning Erikson's Theory of Psychosocial Development. Discussion topics include the physical, social, emotional, and intellectual aspects of this theory. Erik Erikson’s work is distinct because he deliberated beyond the psychosexual stages highlighting Sigmund Freud’s work. While Erikson…

Words 2527 - Pages 11