Erikson's Life-Span Development Theory - Answers -Development proceeds in stages
-Each stage is characterized by a psychosocial challenge or crisis
-Stages reflect the motivation of the individual
limits of person centered therapy - Answers Therapists traits are needed, but not sufficient
Genuineness may end ip being imitation @ the beginning
Goals of Person-Centered Therapy - Answers Provide a safe climate conducive to clients' self-
exploration, so that they can recognize blocks to growth and can experience aspects of self that
were formerly denied or distorted.
Enable clients to move toward openness, greater trust in self, willingness to be a process, and
increased spontaneity and aliveness.
Person centered therapy theoretical assumptions - Answers 1. Actualizing tendency
2. Reality is subjective + experience leads to behavior
3. Self concept is the person we're aware of being
4. Anxiety is b/c of incongruence of experiences + self-concept
5. Participation in therapeutic relationship activates self-healing capacities
6. Client is the one who brings change
Erikson's 8 stages of development - Answers trust vs mistrust
autonomy vs shame and doubt
initiative vs guilt
industry vs inferiority
identity vs identity confusion
intimacy vs isolation
generativity vs stagnation
integrity vs despair
Erikson's contributions - Answers -Emphasized the importance of personal fulfillment and the
role that social stressors can play in attainment or prevention
, -Introduced a concept of lifespan development, in contrast to other theorists that believed
personality development ceased in childhood
-Acknowledged the significant influence of social aspects
Criticisms of Erikson's theory - Answers Culturally Bond: Social support had to be a certain way;
no recognition of diversity
Failure of one stage pre-empted ability to be successful later- doesn't acknowledge resilience
Impact of longevity + other changes in society aren't taken into consideration
Gender differences are seen as individual rather than part of socialization
cohort - Answers a group of persons who were born during the same time period and who
experience particular social changes within a given culture in the same sequence and at
approximately the same age.
-Similar to generations, but may be shorter
-A birth cohort becomes a generation only when it develops some shared sense of its social
history and a shared identity. ---Cohorts differ greatly in size and these differences affect
opportunities for education, work, and family life.
examples of cohorts - Answers - always-on generation (2004+)
- generation z (1995 - 2003)
- millenials (1980s - 2000s)
- generation x (1965-1980)
- baby boomers (1946-1964)
- silent generation (1925-1945)
- GI generation - 1910 - 1924
Transitions - Answers Changes in roles and statuses that represent a distinct departure from
prior roles and statuses
-produce both stress and opportunity and can occur within the family or in other collectivities.
-They may involve exits and entrances of members, as well as status changes.
Examples of transitions - Answers starting or finishing school
entering puberty