Declaration Page
1. I understand what plagiarism entails and am aware of the University’s
policy in this regard.
I. I declare that this assignment is my own, original work. Where I used
someone else’s work, whether a printed source, the internet or any other
source, I give the proper acknowledgement and include a complete
reference list.
II. I did not use another current or previous student’s work, submitting it as
my own.
III. I did not allow and will not allow anyone to copy my work with the
intention of submitting it as his or her own work.
Signature: Date: 22 May 2023
, Question 1
1.1 In what way does the African perspective on human development differ from Erikson’s
psychosocial theory? (Page 499-507) (4)
According to Erikson to form an identity, all the psychosocial crises of the previous stages
need to be resolved. This means that adolescents should have acquired basic trust.
autonomy, initiative, and industry to accomplish the tasks required for developing an
identity successfully:
Identity development implies that adolescents need to define who they are, what is
important to them, and what directions they want to take in life. Erikson referred to this
identity development as an identity crisis - a temporary period of confusion during which
adolescents explore and question existing values, and experiment with alternative roles
to develop an own set of values and goals. According to Erikson, this experimenting,
exploring, and questioning is not an indication of negative development. but rather of the
way in which the individual forms a personal and social identity. In fact, Erikson points out
that society allows adolescents a certain period of time, called the psychosocial
moratorium, to find themselves and their roles as future adults. Experimentation takes
place during this psychosocial moratorium. for instance, by trying out various identities.
endless self-examination, investigating careers and ideologies, fantasizing about roles.
and identifying with other people and hero-figures.
In an African perspective according to Makhubela (2010) studied the difference in identity
development between black adolescents exposed to domestic violence and those from
non-violent homes. The findings showed that adolescents who are exposed to domestic
violence have lower scores for identity development compared to those from non-violent
homes. Hence this study provides ev1dence on the negative effect of an abusive home
on the identity development of adolescents as theorized by Erikson and Bandura.
Researchers have suggested that adolescents experience more difficulties in gender role
and gender identity development and m the formation of a self-Concept and moral self,
when growing up m a home with domestic violence as compared to those in non-violent
homes. Also, 1n Makhubela s study, no difference was found in 1dentJty development
between male and female participants exposed to domestic violence. Thus, this study
has shown that domestic violence affects the 1dent1ty development of adolescents of all
genders 1n the same manner .
1.2 How does spirituality and belief in the invisible world influence socialization and
identity formation in African societies? 112 (4)
1.3 According to collectivism, a person is a person through others (Nwoye, 2017). What
does this imply with regard to personality development? (5)
Nguni proverb, that “umuntu ngumuntu ngabantu” (often translated as “a person is a
person through other persons”). African psychological theory of human development is
offered to demonstrate that, in Africa as in other parts of the world, mature human beings
are not born but made.
1. I understand what plagiarism entails and am aware of the University’s
policy in this regard.
I. I declare that this assignment is my own, original work. Where I used
someone else’s work, whether a printed source, the internet or any other
source, I give the proper acknowledgement and include a complete
reference list.
II. I did not use another current or previous student’s work, submitting it as
my own.
III. I did not allow and will not allow anyone to copy my work with the
intention of submitting it as his or her own work.
Signature: Date: 22 May 2023
, Question 1
1.1 In what way does the African perspective on human development differ from Erikson’s
psychosocial theory? (Page 499-507) (4)
According to Erikson to form an identity, all the psychosocial crises of the previous stages
need to be resolved. This means that adolescents should have acquired basic trust.
autonomy, initiative, and industry to accomplish the tasks required for developing an
identity successfully:
Identity development implies that adolescents need to define who they are, what is
important to them, and what directions they want to take in life. Erikson referred to this
identity development as an identity crisis - a temporary period of confusion during which
adolescents explore and question existing values, and experiment with alternative roles
to develop an own set of values and goals. According to Erikson, this experimenting,
exploring, and questioning is not an indication of negative development. but rather of the
way in which the individual forms a personal and social identity. In fact, Erikson points out
that society allows adolescents a certain period of time, called the psychosocial
moratorium, to find themselves and their roles as future adults. Experimentation takes
place during this psychosocial moratorium. for instance, by trying out various identities.
endless self-examination, investigating careers and ideologies, fantasizing about roles.
and identifying with other people and hero-figures.
In an African perspective according to Makhubela (2010) studied the difference in identity
development between black adolescents exposed to domestic violence and those from
non-violent homes. The findings showed that adolescents who are exposed to domestic
violence have lower scores for identity development compared to those from non-violent
homes. Hence this study provides ev1dence on the negative effect of an abusive home
on the identity development of adolescents as theorized by Erikson and Bandura.
Researchers have suggested that adolescents experience more difficulties in gender role
and gender identity development and m the formation of a self-Concept and moral self,
when growing up m a home with domestic violence as compared to those in non-violent
homes. Also, 1n Makhubela s study, no difference was found in 1dentJty development
between male and female participants exposed to domestic violence. Thus, this study
has shown that domestic violence affects the 1dent1ty development of adolescents of all
genders 1n the same manner .
1.2 How does spirituality and belief in the invisible world influence socialization and
identity formation in African societies? 112 (4)
1.3 According to collectivism, a person is a person through others (Nwoye, 2017). What
does this imply with regard to personality development? (5)
Nguni proverb, that “umuntu ngumuntu ngabantu” (often translated as “a person is a
person through other persons”). African psychological theory of human development is
offered to demonstrate that, in Africa as in other parts of the world, mature human beings
are not born but made.
