Running Head: DEVELOPMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY
Table of Contents
Introduction .................................................................................................................... 1
Application of Erikson’s Psychosocial Stages of Development .................................... 2
Siyasanda’s Developmental Barriers during Psychosocial Development ................. 4
Siyasanda’s Projected Psychosocial Development for the Future ............................. 5
Early Adulthood ..................................................................................................... 6
Middle Adulthood .................................................................................................. 7
Conclusion ..................................................................................................................... 9
Works Cited ................................................................................................................. 10
Introduction
Psychosocial development stages are critical for parents, caregivers and educators to
understand during the development of a child (Bromley, 1974). Therefore, Erikson formulated
the theory of psychosocial development which has played a significant role in understanding
and monitoring the development of a child through to adolescence and more. This theory has
especially been utilised by educators as a crucial tool for educators as the psychosocial
developmental concepts allow educators to build a firm understanding to productively work
with children (Sanger & Kelly, 1990). Generally, the theory concentrates on the development
from infancy to adulthood (Messenger, 2014). Personality is dictated by a series of stages that
children undergo upon exposure of particular factors. The psychosocial theory provides the 8
stages of development that are relevant to the growth of a person (Siegel, 2012). This paper
ought to address the development experienced by Siyasanga in relation to the application ofthe
Psychosocial Stages of development theorised by Erikson.
, DEVELOPMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY 2
Application of Erikson’s Psychosocial Stages of Development
According to Erikson, the stages of psychosocial development are core in the
predetermination of an individual’s personality (Miller, Vandome & John, 2016). Every
transition that a person experiences whilst developing is experienced with a crisis that is
psychosocial. This psychosocial crisis could lead to the negative or positive personal
development output that later determines aspects of an individual such as their behaviour and
decision making (Berns, 2009). If the particular transition phase happens to be successful, the
transition will be followed with the individual acquiring basic virtues and personality traits that
are healthy to the individual’s psychological needs (Siegel, 2012). However, if the outcome of
the developmental transition is unsuccessful it has harmful and negative effects on an
individual’s personality and development due to subsequent development stages having been
compromised. In circumstances where the developmental stages of a child have been
negatively compromised, it may result in children having low self-esteem and an unhealthy
sense of self (Siegel, 2012). Therefore in the case of Siyasanda, her development was
negatively impacted by certain exposures during her upbringing that ultimately resulted in her
the struggles she encountered in daily life on a personal, social and academic level.
Siyasanda's father died when she was 1-years old, resulting in the psychosocial crisis
of trust vs. mistrust, as documented by Erikson. At this early developmental stage, Siyasnda
looked at her caregivers, such as her mother and father as her main provider for psychosocial
support such as security and safety. Unfortunately, the death of her father created a detrimental
gap resulting in a sense insecurity and uncertainty within Siyasanda, all that could have more
likely been avoided had it not been for the untimely death of a parental figure that resultantly
caused the lack of a fatherly bond early on in her life. Since the father's death, Siyasanda’s
support structures deviated from the consistency of care and stability that should exist in a
child’s family interactions and early-life experiences. From an incredibly young age,
Table of Contents
Introduction .................................................................................................................... 1
Application of Erikson’s Psychosocial Stages of Development .................................... 2
Siyasanda’s Developmental Barriers during Psychosocial Development ................. 4
Siyasanda’s Projected Psychosocial Development for the Future ............................. 5
Early Adulthood ..................................................................................................... 6
Middle Adulthood .................................................................................................. 7
Conclusion ..................................................................................................................... 9
Works Cited ................................................................................................................. 10
Introduction
Psychosocial development stages are critical for parents, caregivers and educators to
understand during the development of a child (Bromley, 1974). Therefore, Erikson formulated
the theory of psychosocial development which has played a significant role in understanding
and monitoring the development of a child through to adolescence and more. This theory has
especially been utilised by educators as a crucial tool for educators as the psychosocial
developmental concepts allow educators to build a firm understanding to productively work
with children (Sanger & Kelly, 1990). Generally, the theory concentrates on the development
from infancy to adulthood (Messenger, 2014). Personality is dictated by a series of stages that
children undergo upon exposure of particular factors. The psychosocial theory provides the 8
stages of development that are relevant to the growth of a person (Siegel, 2012). This paper
ought to address the development experienced by Siyasanga in relation to the application ofthe
Psychosocial Stages of development theorised by Erikson.
, DEVELOPMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY 2
Application of Erikson’s Psychosocial Stages of Development
According to Erikson, the stages of psychosocial development are core in the
predetermination of an individual’s personality (Miller, Vandome & John, 2016). Every
transition that a person experiences whilst developing is experienced with a crisis that is
psychosocial. This psychosocial crisis could lead to the negative or positive personal
development output that later determines aspects of an individual such as their behaviour and
decision making (Berns, 2009). If the particular transition phase happens to be successful, the
transition will be followed with the individual acquiring basic virtues and personality traits that
are healthy to the individual’s psychological needs (Siegel, 2012). However, if the outcome of
the developmental transition is unsuccessful it has harmful and negative effects on an
individual’s personality and development due to subsequent development stages having been
compromised. In circumstances where the developmental stages of a child have been
negatively compromised, it may result in children having low self-esteem and an unhealthy
sense of self (Siegel, 2012). Therefore in the case of Siyasanda, her development was
negatively impacted by certain exposures during her upbringing that ultimately resulted in her
the struggles she encountered in daily life on a personal, social and academic level.
Siyasanda's father died when she was 1-years old, resulting in the psychosocial crisis
of trust vs. mistrust, as documented by Erikson. At this early developmental stage, Siyasnda
looked at her caregivers, such as her mother and father as her main provider for psychosocial
support such as security and safety. Unfortunately, the death of her father created a detrimental
gap resulting in a sense insecurity and uncertainty within Siyasanda, all that could have more
likely been avoided had it not been for the untimely death of a parental figure that resultantly
caused the lack of a fatherly bond early on in her life. Since the father's death, Siyasanda’s
support structures deviated from the consistency of care and stability that should exist in a
child’s family interactions and early-life experiences. From an incredibly young age,
