Compare or contrast the following theories on human development:
Psychosexual Theory of development by Freud, Sigmund
Psychosocial Development by Erik Erikson
Cognitive Development by Jean Piaget
SIGMUND FREUD'S PSYCHOSEXUAL THEORY OF DEVELOPMENT
Freud theorized that the core of personality is formed before age 6 in a series of psychosexual stages. Each stage focuses on a different sexually excitable zone of the body, or erogenous zones. The way the child learns to fulfill the sexual desires associated with each stage becomes an important component of the child's personality. Failure to pass through these stages in the normal manner is the cause of various psychosexual disturbances and character disorders. Freud believed that erotic childhood urges have lasting effects on development.
He theorized that many adult personality traits can be traced to fixations, the unresolved conflict or emotional hang up caused by overindulgence or by frustration. In fixation, the individual behaves according to the characteristics of a particular psychosexual stage of childhood.
STAGE | PERIOD | TYPES OF PERSONALITY DEVELOPED | CHARACTERISTICS |
Oral Stage | First years of life | Oral Dependent Personality | Most of the individual's pleasure comes from stimulation of the mouth and lips. If the child is overfed or frustrated, oral traits may be created. Frustrations later in the oral stage may cause aggression, often in the form of biting. Oral aggressive adults who exploits others like to argue. |
Anal Stage | 2-3 years | Anal-Retentive and Anal Expulsive | The child's attention shifts to process of elimination. Hence, stimulation shifts from the mouth then to anus. The demand for toilet training conflicts with the child's instinctual pleasure in having bowel movement at will. The child can gain approval or express rebellion or aggression by "holding on" or "letting go". |
Phallic Stage | 4-6 years | Phallic Personality through Oedipus Complex and Electra Complex | The focus of pleasure shifts to... |