Essay On Erikson's Stages Of Development

Development is a sequential process throughout ones lifespan that involves achieving milestones that pave the way for an individual to be a successful and productive member of society. Our environment and surroundings have a major influence on the achievement of these milestones and can have a large effect on our development for the rest of our lives. Influenced by the work of Sigmund Freud, the famous psychologist Erik Erikson formulated stages of psychosocial development that can have a large impact on the development of one’s personality. Furthermore, personality is affected by the attachment and type of parenting a child experiences within their infancy and youth. Within South Africa, the aforementioned impactors on personality development can be damaged by the extensive poverty experienced by many South African

A child must endure both conflicting aspects in order to find a resolution (Fleming, 2004). From birth through to old age, basic conflicts and essential positive and negative events occur allowing for the beginning of the development of personality. Erikson’s fourth stage of development is ‘Industry vs inferiority’. This stage occurs between the ages of 6 and 11. At this stage of development a child learns to deal with new academic and social demands. This is accompanied with an increase in perseverance and diligence (Fleming, 2004). As a Jewish Female preparations for one’s Batmitzvah occurs at the age of 11. Thus, we learn about all the new responsibilities we gain as we begin becoming Jewish Woman. This affected my personality as I understood my soon-to-be role within the Jewish community. I became sensitive, confidant and responsible. I learnt to be confidant and persevere with all the different challenges I was about to encounter thus becoming competent. Furthermore, I opened myself up to community service and helping others which has shaped me into the person I am