Exploring Erikson’s Psychosocial Development Theory through an Interview with Mrs. Smith

The purpose of this essay is to apply what you have learned about Erikson’s theory of psychosocial
development. Select one person above the age of seventy to interview.
Your paper should cover all the
following:
1. Please use a pseudonym to protect your subject’s identity. Begin your paper by introducing your subject: age, gender, ethnic or cultural heritage, family, and current living situation. Include anything else that you think would be important to mention (i.e., this person recently emigrated from a nonwestern [collectivist] country) Identify which of Erikson’s stages of life this person is currently experiencing.
Remember that once a person has left childhood the age brackets for Erikson’s stages are a bit fuzzy. For example, the transition from stage seven to eight can begin in the sixties or eighties. You will not be able to determine this until you have completed the interview.
2. An important part of Erikson’s theory is that how well a person functions in each stage is built from how well the issues at the earlier stages were resolved. In your interview you should ask questions about your subject’s childhood to determine the degree to which a “virtue” or “malignancy” may have been added to the personality.
3. Erikson believed that the most important stage was stage five. You should focus on how your subject experienced and resolved this stage. Think about the different paths—identity diffusion, foreclosure, moratorium, achievement—that a person might experience in stage five. Did your subject experience any of them?
4. Erikson did not believe that all of the issues of childhood were ever completely resolved. All of us continue to work through trust, autonomy, initiative and so forth as we move through our life. A major life trauma at any point could put the spotlight back on to one of these earlier issues. For example, a bad relationship break-up at any age could reignite stage one or stage two issues. A career crisis in middle age could send a person back to stages three, four, or five.
5. In your paper you should express to me that you clearly understand the issues that, according to Erikson, should be preoccupying your subject at their current age. Based on your interview, do your findingsupport Erikson’s theory?

Sample Answer

Title: Exploring Erikson’s Psychosocial Development Theory through an Interview with Mrs. Smith

Introduction:
For the purpose of this paper, the pseudonym Mrs. Smith will be used to protect the identity of the interviewee, a 75-year-old woman of Caucasian descent. Mrs. Smith has lived in a small town all her life and is a widow. She lives independently in her own home and has two grown children who live in different states. Mrs. Smith’s family history and cultural background are deeply rooted in the local community, and she has not emigrated from any nonwestern country. Based on her current stage of life, Mrs. Smith falls within Erikson’s stage of “Ego Integrity vs. Despair.”

Childhood and Earlier Stages:
During the interview, Mrs. Smith shared details about her childhood, emphasizing the strong sense of trust and security she experienced within her family. She recounted positive interactions with her parents, which fostered a sense of autonomy and initiative in her formative years. It was evident that these early experiences contributed to the development of virtues such as trust, autonomy, and initiative, as described in Erikson’s theory.

Stage Five: Identity vs. Role Confusion:
In exploring Mrs. Smith’s experiences during stage five, it became apparent that she had navigated through different paths within this stage. She recounted moments of identity exploration and periods of uncertainty, indicating elements of moratorium and foreclosure as she made choices about education and career. Ultimately, she expressed a sense of achievement and a secure identity, having pursued a fulfilling career and established meaningful relationships.

Continued Development and Life Events:
Mrs. Smith’s life experiences also revealed instances where earlier issues were revisited due to major life events. For example, the loss of her spouse reignited feelings of intimacy and generativity, as she sought to redefine her role in the family and community. This aligns with Erikson’s belief that individuals continuously revisit and rework issues from earlier stages as they progress through life.

Supporting Erikson’s Theory:
The interview findings strongly support Erikson’s theory of psychosocial development. Mrs. Smith’s experiences reflected the preoccupations associated with her current stage of life, demonstrating a sense of integrity and reflection on past experiences. Her journey through earlier stages had a significant impact on her ability to navigate challenges and transitions in later stages, validating the interconnectedness of Erikson’s stages and the lifelong nature of psychosocial development.

Conclusion:
Through the interview with Mrs. Smith, it becomes evident that Erikson’s theory provides valuable insights into the complexities of human development across the lifespan. Mrs. Smith’s experiences underscore the enduring influence of early life experiences on later stages, affirming the relevance and applicability of Erikson’s psychosocial development theory in understanding the dynamics of human growth and personality formation.

By delving into Mrs. Smith’s life story, it becomes clear that Erikson’s theory offers a comprehensive framework for understanding the psychological challenges and developmental milestones faced by individuals at different stages of their lives.

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